How to Reschedule or Cancel a Home Affairs Appointment

An independent, step-by-step guide to changing or cancelling a Home Affairs BABS booking at services.dha.gov.za, including no-shows and OTP problems.

Step by step

1. Gather your login details and referenceHave the email or mobile number used to book, your booking reference, and access to the device that receives your OTP.
2. Log back in to BABSSign in at services.dha.gov.za with the same account used to book and verify with the OTP sent to you.
3. Find your booking by referenceOpen your list of appointments and select the one to change, using the booking reference, branch and date.
4. Reschedule the date, branch or timeChoose the reschedule option, pick a new branch, date and time from the available slots, and confirm.
5. Or cancel the bookingIf you no longer need it, choose cancel and confirm so the slot is freed for someone else.
6. Save the new confirmationNote the updated reference and details and keep the confirmation to bring to the branch.
7. Rebook if neededAfter a cancellation or no-show, log in again and book a fresh branch, date and time.

To reschedule or cancel a Home Affairs appointment, log back in to the Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS) at services.dha.gov.za, open your existing booking using your reference, then change the date, branch or time, or cancel it. Always confirm the current steps on dha.gov.za.

CluedUp is an independent guide. We are not the Department of Home Affairs and this is not the official booking portal. For the authoritative process, use only services.dha.gov.za and dha.gov.za.

Before you start

You manage an existing Home Affairs booking through the same BABS portal you used to make it. Have these ready:

• The login details (such as your email or mobile number) used when you booked.
• Your booking reference number from the confirmation message or email.
• Access to the phone or inbox that receives your OTP (one-time PIN), so you can complete login.

If you booked through our walkthrough, our guide on how to book a Home Affairs appointment covers the same login area in more detail.

Log back in to BABS

Go to services.dha.gov.za and sign in with the same credentials you used to create the booking. You will usually be asked to verify with an OTP sent to your registered mobile number or email. Once logged in, look for the section that lists your appointments or bookings.

Find your booking by reference

Open the list of your existing appointments and identify the one you want to change, using your booking reference, the branch and the date. Selecting the booking should show its full details and the options available to manage it.

If you cannot see your booking, double-check that you are signed in with the same account used to make it, as bookings are tied to the account that created them.

How to reschedule the date, branch or time

To move your appointment, follow these general steps:

1. Open the booking you want to change from your list of appointments.
2. Choose the option to reschedule or change the appointment.
3. Select a new branch, date and time from the available slots. Availability varies by office, so you may need to try another day or branch.
4. Confirm the change and wait for an updated confirmation message or email.
5. Save or note the new reference and details, and take the confirmation with you to the branch.

If the exact labels or screens differ from what you see, follow the on-screen prompts and check dha.gov.za for the latest guidance, as the portal is updated from time to time.

How to cancel a booking

If you no longer need the appointment, open the booking in BABS and choose the cancel option, then confirm. Cancelling frees the slot for someone else, so please cancel rather than simply not arriving if you know you cannot attend. Keep any cancellation confirmation for your records.

What happens if you miss an appointment (no-show)

If you do not arrive for a booked appointment and did not cancel it, this is treated as a no-show. The practical effect is that you will generally need to rebook a new appointment to be served. Rules around no-shows can change, so check dha.gov.za for the current policy rather than assuming. The safest approach is always to cancel or reschedule in advance if your plans change.

Rebooking after a cancellation or no-show

To book again, log in to services.dha.gov.za, choose the service you need, and select a fresh branch, date and time. The process is the same as a first-time booking — see our step-by-step booking guide if you need a refresher.

OTP and login problems

Login issues are usually tied to the OTP or your account details. If you get stuck:

• Check that your mobile number or email is correct and can receive messages, then request the OTP again.
• Wait a short while, as OTPs can be delayed, and look in your spam or junk folder for emailed codes.
• Make sure you are using the same account you booked with.
• Use the portal’s own password-reset or help options where available.
• If problems persist, use the official support channels listed on dha.gov.za.

Avoid third-party paid “agents” who offer to manage your booking for a fee. You can reschedule or cancel yourself for free through the official portal, and sharing your login or OTP with others puts your account at risk.

For related tasks, see our guides on applying for a marriage certificate and getting an unabridged birth certificate.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change my Home Affairs appointment online?

Yes. Log in to the BABS portal at services.dha.gov.za with the account you used to book, open your appointment, and use the reschedule option to change the branch, date or time.

How do I cancel a BABS booking?

Sign in to services.dha.gov.za, open the booking from your list of appointments, choose cancel and confirm. Keep the cancellation confirmation for your records.

What happens if I miss my appointment?

A missed appointment is usually treated as a no-show, and you will generally need to rebook. Policies can change, so check dha.gov.za for the current rules and cancel in advance if your plans change.

I am not receiving my OTP. What should I do?

Confirm your registered mobile number or email is correct, request the code again, check spam folders, and use the portal’s help or reset options. If it still fails, use the official support channels on dha.gov.za.

Is there a fee to reschedule or cancel?

You can manage your own booking through the official portal yourself. For any charges tied to the underlying service, check dha.gov.za, and avoid paid third-party agents who claim to manage bookings for you.

Is CluedUp the official Home Affairs portal?

No. CluedUp is an independent guide and not affiliated with the Department of Home Affairs. The official booking portal is services.dha.gov.za and the official website is dha.gov.za.

CluedUp is an independent guide and is not affiliated with any government agency. Fees, links and steps can change — always confirm on the official portal before you act. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.