He's Real Now

This morning Emma and I took a trip to the Kingston Register Office to register Leo's birth. You have to do this within 41 days in England. What amazed me was how simple it all was. I made an appointment last week and we were seen immediately (we were early). The whole process took less than 15 minutes and we did not need to provide any documentation or proof of identity. I did not even fill in a single form; it was all done directly into the computer and into the birth register (which fascinatingly was still a paper book).

Contrast this with registering Leo as a South African citizen. The form to do this cannot be downloaded electronically for children less than a year old "for legal reasons". And once you have gotten the form by sending in a stamped and self-addressed envelope to the South African consulate you have to fill in at least 3-4 other forms, provide original birth certificate, marriage certificates and more. And it will then take 4-6 months to complete the process.

The whole South African side we are going to do so as to offer Leo all of the same choices Lara, Emma and I have with respect to dual citizenship. And he will then use his South African passport to enter and leave SA as is required by law of all South African citizens who hold dual passports.