I applied for an unabridged birth certificate 5 months ago is there anyway of tracking the progress on the application? How much longer should I wait for the application or should I just fly to SA and apply for this on my own?

They say it takes up to six months. Unfortunately the is no way to track it. If i were you i would wait for another month or two... After that just go back to SA and apply there in person.

Shantal I waited for over two years for my unbridge birth certificate. At the end they sent me two of them. These people are very unprofessional in South Africa. You should call the South African Ambassy in DC and ask for Christie Santiago she will help you with it. She is the best