Guides
A Guide to Applying for a South African Passport
Step-by-step guide on applying for a South African passport
What this record covers
South Africa
Position at the coverage date
Steps, requirements and limits
- Eligibility
- You must be a South African citizen to apply for a passport [s1]
- Types of Passports
- Tourist passport, Child's passport, Official passport, Crew member certificate, Document for travel purposes [s2]
- Application Process
- Complete a DHA-73 form at a Home Affairs domestic office or South African embassy/mission [s1] [s2]
- Biometric System
- Some Home Affairs offices use a new biometric system. Check with your nearest office [s2]
- Fees
- R600 for tourist and child's passport. R1200 for maxi tourist passport [s2]
- Processing Time
- 7 to 21 working days [s2]
- Online Application
- Available on the Department of Home Affairs website [s2]
- Tracking Application
- Track progress on the Department of Home Affairs website or via SMS [s2]
- Validity
- Tourist passport: 10 years. Child's passport: 5 years. Official passport: 10 years [s2]
Sources & evidence
- [s1] www.gov.za
- [s2] www.westerncape.gov.za
Public update history
— Researched against the cited sources. Unresolved gaps are not presented as facts.
— Titles and explanatory text passed the copywriting and source-consistency checks. Sources and data are unchanged.