FillMeIn — Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about FillMeIn.co.za — how it works, privacy and security, offline use, cost, and which South African forms are supported.
What is FillMeIn and what does it do?
FillMeIn.co.za is a free online tool that helps South Africans fill in forms correctly, quickly, and privately. It covers government forms, legal documents, and other commonly used South African forms across categories including Labour (Z83, UIF forms), Home Affairs (birth, death, marriage certificates, passports), Transport (DL1 driver's licence), Police (SAPS 91(a) clearance), Justice (J101 maintenance, sworn affidavits), and more. Instead of struggling with confusing paperwork, FillMeIn walks you through each field with clear instructions, validates your entries in real time, and generates a properly formatted PDF that you can print and submit.
Is FillMeIn free to use?
Yes, FillMeIn is completely free to use. There are no hidden fees, no premium tiers, and no charges for downloading your completed forms. Our goal is to make South African forms accessible to everyone, regardless of income. You can fill as many forms as you need and download unlimited PDFs — all at no cost.
Is my personal information safe on FillMeIn?
Yes. FillMeIn is built with a privacy-first approach. All your data stays on your device — nothing is sent to any server. Your form data, saved profiles, and personal information are stored locally in your browser using IndexedDB. We do not collect, store, or transmit your personal information. There is no user account system, no cloud storage, and no tracking of your form data. This means your sensitive information (ID numbers, addresses, employment details) never leaves your phone or computer.
Can I use FillMeIn offline or during load shedding?
Yes. FillMeIn is designed as a Progressive Web App (PWA) that works offline once you have visited the site at least once. After your first visit, the app is cached on your device and you can fill forms and generate PDFs even without an internet connection. This is especially useful during load shedding — a common reality in South Africa — when you may lose connectivity but still need to complete important paperwork. Note: form progress is not currently persisted between sessions, so plan to complete the form in one sitting.
Where is my data stored?
Your data is stored locally on your device in your browser's IndexedDB storage. IndexedDB is a built-in browser database that keeps data on your phone or computer — not on any external server. This means your data is available only to you, on the device you used to fill the form. If you clear your browser data, your saved forms and profiles will be removed. We recommend downloading your completed PDF before clearing browser data.
How does FillMeIn keep my information secure?
FillMeIn keeps your information secure through a client-side architecture. Since all processing happens directly on your device, your data never travels over the internet to our servers — because we have no servers storing your data. There is no database to hack, no API transmitting your personal details, and no cloud storage holding your documents. Your browser's built-in security protections apply to the locally stored data. For additional security, we recommend using a device with a screen lock and not sharing your browser with others.
Which South African forms does FillMeIn support?
FillMeIn currently supports 16 South African forms across six categories — including government forms, legal documents, and workplace forms. Auto-fill forms (where you fill online and download a completed PDF) include the Z83 government job application, UI-19 UIF registration, UI-2.1 unemployment benefits claim, UI-2.7 employer remuneration declaration, UI-2.8 UIF banking authorisation, BI-130 marriage certificate, J101 maintenance order, and sworn affidavit. Print-and-fill forms (where you download the blank PDF with our step-by-step guide) include the BI-24 and BI-154 birth certificates, BI-1663 death certificate, LRA 7.11 CCMA dispute referral, W.Cl.2 employer accident report, DL1 driver's licence, and SAPS 91(a) police clearance. The DHA-73 passport application redirects to the eHomeAffairs online portal.
How does FillMeIn generate the PDF?
FillMeIn generates your completed PDF entirely on your device using a client-side PDF engine. When you click download, the app takes the form template and fills in your answers at the exact positions required. The PDF is generated in your browser — no data is sent to any server for processing. The result is a properly formatted document ready to print and submit.
Can I use FillMeIn on my mobile phone or smartphone?
Yes. FillMeIn is designed mobile-first for South African users. It works on any smartphone with a modern browser, including budget Android devices like Samsung Galaxy A-series and Huawei Y-series phones. The interface is optimised for small screens with large touch targets, clear text, and minimal data usage. You can fill forms and download PDFs directly from your phone. FillMeIn also works on tablets, laptops, and desktop computers.
Can I save my progress and come back later?
Not yet. Form progress is not currently saved between sessions — if you refresh or close the tab before downloading, you will need to re-enter the form. Draft-save and a reusable personal profile (so common details like your name and ID are pre-filled across forms) are both planned features; this answer will be updated when they ship. For now, plan to complete each form in one sitting and download the PDF before closing the tab.
Is FillMeIn affiliated with the South African government?
No. FillMeIn is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any South African government department, including the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Public Service and Administration, the Department of Employment and Labour, or the Unemployment Insurance Fund. FillMeIn is an independent tool that helps you fill forms correctly. You are still responsible for submitting your completed forms to the appropriate office and verifying that all information is accurate and current.
What happens if a form changes or is updated?
FillMeIn periodically checks that form source URLs are still accessible. When a form is updated by the relevant department or authority, we update our form template and field mappings to match the new version as soon as we become aware of the change. However, forms can change without notice, so we recommend always checking with the relevant authority that you have the latest version before submitting. If you notice a discrepancy between our form and the official version, please let us know.
Related FAQ Pages
Find answers to specific questions about individual South African forms and processes.
Labour & Employment
Home Affairs
Ready to fill a form?
FillMeIn guides you through every field, validates your answers, and generates a properly formatted PDF — all on your device, completely free. No signup required.