A passport is a document issued by a national government for international travel and it certifies the identity and nationality of the holder. You can’t cross borders without a passport so when you want to travel internationally getting a passport must be top of your list of priorities.
South African passports are generally valid for 10 years from the date of issue, and are not renewable. When your South African passport expires you have to complete a new application to get a new passport.
Important information to note:
- All documents required for your passport should be completed in black ink
- Your fingerprints must be taken and checked against the National Population Register
- Husband, wife and children must all complete separate application forms. Both parents and the children concerned must be present when applying for passports for children.
- Passports are issued in accordance with your names as they appear in the National Population Register (NPR) at the time of your application.
To apply for the passport, you must submit the following documents:
- A completed passport application Form DHA-73
- Your original identity document and a copy, or a birth certificate and copy thereof if under 16
- If under 18 years, parental consent for issuing of the passport. Please see Tourist passports: persons under 16 for the requirements
- A completed determination of citizenship Form DHA-529 when applying from abroad
- Present any existing valid tourist passport, and if you lost your previous passport you must provide a loss of passport report (DHA-335 ) and confirmation that you reported the loss to the police
- Two colour photographs that comply with the Passport and ID Photograph Specifications (NOT needed at smartcard offices as ID images are captured digitally)
- Pay the prescribed fee for the passport
Applications made within South African borders can be submitted to any office of the Department of Home Affairs; applications made outside of the country can be submitted to your nearest South Africa embassy or mission.
