Riconosce e concede stemmi e bandiere a cittadini sudafricani e può registrare gli stemmi che gli stranieri abbiano ottenuto o si siano fatti riconoscere da un'autorità araldica ufficiale straniera, ancorché non appartenente al paese d'origine del richiedente.
Recentemente il Bureau ha divulgato la seguente precisazione:
THE REGISTRATION OF COATS OF ARMS IN SOUTH AFRICA
1. All supporting documentation which is submitted must be officially certified.
2. Where additaments are requested in terms of territorial designations an appropriate map or plan of the precise location of the Manor, Barony, Lordship etc. must also be provided.
3. Photocopies or scanned copies of documentation must be certified by either the institution which created the original documents or by a solicitor. (Kindly note that the Bureau of Heraldry must receive the actual certified documents and not photocopies or scanned copies).
4. In respect of territorial designations in England and Wales, a certified copy of HM Land Registry of the registration of ownership of the title at HM Land Registry together with the appropriate map or plan, or a certified copy of the official entry in a United Kingdom Passport of the name and style by which the holder is also known and recognised in the United Kingdom, or an official letter from the Manorial Society of Great Britain must be produced.
5. In respect of territorial designations in the Republic of Ireland, a certified copy of the Registry of Deeds of a registered conveyance with the appropriate proof of payment of stamp duty to the Government of the Republic of Ireland.
6. In respect of territorial designations in Scotland, certified documentary proof from HM Lord Lyon must be submitted.
7. With regard to maps and plans: HM Land registry requires that a map or plan of the manor/barony be submitted along with the Application for Registration and before any decision is made to register. This is not the case in Scotland or the Republic or Ireland. For applications from England and Wales certified copies of the above mentioned maps must be submitted as past of a petition for the grant of arms.
8. With regard to applicants submitting a descent of title, background in respect of the descent and ownership of the title would be supportive although a grant of arms cannot be based solely on such documentation. An investigation in respect of the creation and existence of a title should be the responsibility of the appropriate authorities in the country in which the title was created and exists and the official documentation which records the holder as a baron or Lord etc. from the relevant government must be produced for the purpose of the registration of a coat of arms with specific additaments.
9. Registration certificates which include a reference to a Territorial Designation are issued only where an applicant submits appropriate official documentation, from the country where the Territorial Designation originates and which documentation verifies and support its existence.
10. Where an application lacks the supporting documentation from the country of origin of the Territorial Designation to which a claim is made the Bureau will clearly be unable to accept such an application for Registration. It may, however, be possible to process such an application further without the inclusion of a Territorial Designation or additional heraldic additaments should the applicant still wish to proceed.
11. Applicants must be aware that heraldry in the Republic of South Africa is solely administered by the Bureau of Heraldry headed by the State Herald. The Heraldry Council and the Heraldry Committee are the national policy making bodies to which the State Herald submits applications. The Bureau of Heraldry, the State Herald, the Heraldry Council and the Heraldry Committee all perform their duties in terms of the Heraldry Act (Act 18 of 1962).
12. In addition to the above prospective applicants should be cautioned against being overperscriptive with regard the design of the coat of arms or its elements. We have found that some applicants tend to become extremely pertinent on minor issues which causes a break down in the natural flow of the design process. Kindly note that it is the heraldic artists prerogative to interpret and design a coat of arms according to his/her style. If the blazon states that it is 'a lion rampant' then the artist may decide on the minor details such as the size and shape of the tail, mane, shading etc.. Ideally one or two minor changes after the first draft design is submitted is acceptable. When the design is returned for changes for a third or fourth time, the file is placed at the bottom of the pile lying on the artists table and this prolongs the process considerably. In essence the applicant should have a clear idea of what he/she wants to register and this idea should be submitted upfront. Quite often an applicant changes the whole design or after the first notice has been published come with new ideas or a different motto. This confuses the staff of the Bureau of Heraldry considerably and lead to duplication and frustration.
