I applied for an unabridged marriage certificate of my parent's in early April 2012 from the Department of Home Affairs. We are now mid May 2013 and still waiting. I emailed them (I would say 40x - no kidding), faxed letters, made telephonic enquiries. On several occasions and out of sheer desperation I demanded to speak to whoever may be in charge, to no avail. Full of excuses: on lunch / in a meeting / off sick / on a call / not allowed to be put through. Automated email responses.
My parents marriage details (in the old ID book) states as married in 1983. Mistake No. 1: it was 1953. Mistake brought to their attention. Mistake No.2: my father's death certificate indicates he was 'widowed' at the time of death. On my mother's death certificate she was 'married'. It was the other way round. Filled them in on their mistake. In one of my follow-up calls I get told "they are trying to locate the details of his wife - as he may have been divorced" at the time of his death? I sent both ID books, both unabridged death certificates, my mother's unabridged birth certificate? I am so desperate but simply no longer have the energy to continue pursuing the matter. Shocking service!
0 comments