How to Obtain an SADF Discharge Certificate

When a male citizen of South Africa applies for a visa to migrate to another country, immigration officials might request his military discharge papers. This is the case in Australia. The document is available at the Department of Defense Documentation Center in Pretoria. The archives contain personnel records for the Navy, Army and Air Force.

Difficulty: Challenging
Instructions

1. Gather the following information: the date you began your military service; date of discharge; the regiment and unit in which you served; and the name and address of next-of-kin when you entered the military.


2. Write, call, fax or email the Department of Defence Documentation Centre and ask for a form to request discharge papers. Request up-to-date fee information. The address is: Department of Defence, DOD Documentation Centre, Private Bag X289, Pretoria, South Africa, 0001. The telephone number is (012) 355 397; the fax number is (012) 323 5613; and the e-mail address is info@mil.za.


3. Complete and return the form with the requested fee to the Department of Defence, DOD Documentation Centre, Private Bag X289, Pretoria, South Africa, 0001.


4. You may also purchase a photocopy of your discharge papers in person at the DOD Documentation Center. The cost is 60 cents per page, (a little more than half a rand), according to the South African Department of Defence Corporate Communications Office website. Call the Documentation Centre (012) 355 397 for information about office location.

Tips & Warnings

It is likely that receiving your discharge papers will be a slow process. Plan accordingly.

Taken from By Fran Henry, eHow Contributor

How to Obtain an SADF Discharge Certificate