Applying for a passport

If you're a South African citizen and planning on travelling to another country, you'll need a South African passport. 

There are different types of passports, with different application fees for each type.

Did you know you can now apply for your passport online? Visit the Department of Home Affairs website for more information about the requirements for online applications or continue reading to find out more about the different types of South African passports.

• Tourist passport
• Child's passport
• Official passports
• Applying for Crew Member Certificates
• Document for travel purposes

 

Tourist passport

Visitors’ passports are issued to South African citizens 16 years and older. 

To apply, you'll need to complete a DHA-73 form at a Home Affairs domestic office or, if you're overseas, at a South African embassy or mission.

You must also: 

• Have a valid South African ID, or a birth certificate if you’re under the age of 16, here's how to apply for an ID. 
• Parental consent for issuing a passport if you’re under the age of 18.
• Complete a determination of citizenship Form (DHA-529) if you’re applying from abroad.
• Present any existing valid tourist passport. If your passport was lost or stolen and you’re applying for a new passport, provide a loss of passport report (DHA-335 ) and confirmation that you reported the loss to the police.
• Supply 2 colour passport photographs. Confirm with your nearest Home Affairs office if they're using the new biometric system. If so, then you don't need to bring photographs.
• Have your fingerprints taken.
• Pay the R600 application fee.

It will take about 7-21 working days to process the application and issue the passport. The tourist passport is valid for 10 years. 

Note: Passports must be valid for at least 30 days after the intended departure date. Passports should also have at least 2 blank pages for entry stamps. 

Applying for a maxi tourist passports

Maxi tourist passports are 48-page documents meant for frequent travellers. They are the same as regular tourist passports except that they contain more pages for visas.

They are issued only to SA citizens  aged 16 years or older. The documents are valid for 10 years and are not renewable. Once the validity period of a passport expires you will have to submit a new application for a passport. 

The maxi tourist passport costs R1 200.

Please contact your Home Affairs office to confirm if they're using the new biometric application system, or if you need to bring your own photos. 

Visas

In addition to a passport, South African citizens are also required to have travel visas for certain countries which you may want to visit.

Find out what the visa requirements for South African passport holders are. 

Child's passport

This passport is issued to South African children 15 years old and younger. The passports are valid for 5 years and are not renewable.  Once the validity period of a passport expires you will have to submit a new application for a passport.

To apply, you'll need to complete a DHA-73 form at a Home Affairs domestic office or, if you're overseas, at a South African embassy or mission.

You must also:

• Have your child’s birth certificate and a copy of it. 
• Supply 2 passport photographs. Confirm with your nearest Home Affairs office if they're using the new biometric system. If so, then you don't need to bring your own photographs.
• Pay the fee of R600.

Please remember that:

• Both parents and the child must be present when applying.
• both parents should be in attendance if sole parental rights and responsibilities have not been granted to one parent when the application is submitted. Both parents will be required to sign the application form.
• If a parent is deceased, his or her death certificate and a copy thereof must accompany the application for the passport
• In the case of minors born out of wedlock, the biological father’s consent will also be required if any of the circumstances as outlined in section 21 of the Children’s Act, 1995, are applicable, the child and both parents should be in attendance when the application is submitted.
• If the applicant is in the care of a guardian other than the parents, proof of the High Court’s appointment must accompany the application.
• If a parent cannot be located or refuses to consent, or a dispute concerning consent arises, the matter should be referred to the Children’s Court. The Court’s decision must be submitted with the application for the passport.

It will take between 7 - 21 working days to process the application and issue the passport. The child's passport is valid for 10 years.

Please contact your Home Affairs office  to confirm if they're using the new biometric application system, or if you need to bring your own photos. 

Official passports

This passport is issued to South African officials who are travelling on official government business. 

To apply, you'll need to complete a DHA-73 form at a Home Affairs domestic office or, if you're overseas, at a South African embassy or mission. 

You must also: 

• Have a valid South African ID.
• A letter on the official letterhead and signed by the head of the institution or his or her delegate confirming that the passport is needed for an official trip and that you are employed by the institution
• Supply 2 passport photographs. Confirm with your nearest Home Affairs office if they're using the new biometric system. If so, then you don't need to bring your own photographs.
• Have your fingerprints taken.

This passport is valid for 10 years.  Please contact your Home Affairs office  to confirm if they're using the new biometric application system, or if you need to bring your own photos. 

Please contact your Home Affairs office before visiting, to confirm if they're using the new biometric application system, or if you need to bring your own photos. 

Applying for crew member certificates

Crew member certificates are issued to South Africans who are crew members of an airline registered in South Africa. 

To apply for a crew member certificate you must:

• Complete a  passport application Form DHA-73.
• Have a valid South African ID and a copy thereof.
• Two colour  photographs that comply with the Passport and ID Photograph Specifications (not needed at smartcard offices as ID images are captured digitally).
• Official letter from your employer confirming  your employment by the airline.

Please contact your Home Affairs office before visting, to confirm if they're using the new biometric application system, or if you need to bring your own photos. 

Document for travel purposes for people with permanent residence in South Africa

This document is issued to people with permanent residence in South Africa who can't get travel documents from their own countries, for example, refugees and stateless persons lawfully residing in South Africa.

To apply, you'll need to complete a DHA-73 form at a Home Affairs domestic office or, if you're overseas, at a South African embassy or mission.

You must also:

• Have proof of your identity.  If you don't have an ID, here's how to apply for one. 
• Supply 2 passport photographs. Confirm with your nearest Home Affairs office if they're using the new biometric system. If so, then you don't need to bring your own photographs.
• Have your fingerprints taken.
• Pay the prescribed fee.

It will take between 7-21 working days to process the application. You can track and trace the progress of your application on the Department of Home Affairs website, or by sending a sms with the letter P followed by your ID number to 32551.

This document is valid for 5 years.

Please contact your Home Affairs office  to confirm if they're using the new biometric application system, or if you need to bring your own photos.