South African Passports

Applicants applying for their first adult passport (i.e. applicants 16 years old or turning 16) must ALSO apply for an ID book along with the passport or before applying for the passport.

As per DHA Circular No. 1 of 2022, third-party collection of PASSPORTS/TRAVEL DOCUMENTS is strictly prohibited. If applying for a passport within South Africa, the DHA Office where the application is lodged cannot redirect the passport for dispatch to the Mission.

The South African Passport and Travel Documents Act of 1994 regulates the issuing of South African passports and travel documents.

A new passport must be applied for 6 to 12 months before the current passport expires or if the passport has no more blank visa pages available. Passports have a validity of 10 years for adults and 5 years for children.

Passports are not extended once they have reached the expiry date – a new application must be lodged.

Passport applications take 6 to 12 months to be finalised. Applicants are requested to bear in mind that applications are referred to the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa for processing.

Consular staff is focused on processing applications; unnecessary queries on the status of applications by phone or email delay the process.

The Department of Home Affairs has now introduced a “maxi passport”, which contains 48 visa pages instead of 32 pages. These passports are available to persons who travel extensively. To apply for a maxi passport, indicate this on the application form and pay the correct fee.

Different types of South African passports and their requirements

• Tourist Passports (Normal Adult passport)
• Child Passports (Persons younger than 16 years of age)
• Maxi Passports (Adult or Child)
• Passport Fees
• Emergency Travel Certificates (Adult or Child)

Passport Applications (Adult or Child)

Please note: Do not make firm travel bookings before obtaining your passport.

Passport Requirements (All passport types)

1. Form BI-73 – Passport application form. Please ensure that the Police certify Section B of the application form – Adult as well as Child applications. Applicants 16 years and older are required to sign the form and have their left thumbprint placed in the designated area. Application MUST be completed and signed in black ink only.
2. Form BI-529 – Determination of Citizenship Status. The purpose of the form is to establish that as a South African Citizen you have not lost your Citizenship. Please mark N/A for questions that are not applicable. Please note that questions 9 and 10 MUST be answered and section ‘E’ signed by the applicant; otherwise, the form will be returned.
3. Form DHA-9 – Although this form is mainly used for ID applications, all passport applications of applicants 16 years and older done from abroad MUST include the fingerprints. Fingerprints can be taken at the nearest police station; electronic fingerprints on local police cards are not accepted.
4. ***Applicants with VFS in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth*** will have their fingerprints taken during their appointments with VFS and not through the High Commission.
5. The High Commission will only forward the DHA-9 fingerprint form to South African citizens after receiving a cover letter requesting the form and quoting the applicant’s full name and RSA ID number(s). For us to send you the form, please include a self-addressed, prepaid, ordinary post envelope (A4 size with correct postage stamps) or an express post envelope, to: Attention: The Consular Office, South African High Commission, State Circle, Yarralumla, Canberra 2600.
   The DHA-9 Form cannot be emailed.
6. Only if your passport is Stolen or Lost include Form DI-47 – Loss Report: Stolen / Lost Passport.
7. Include a certified copy of your old/current passport/identity document/birth certificate.
8. Include a certified copy of your foreign citizenship certificate and your dual citizenship certificate, if applicable. In cases of those applicants who acquired foreign citizenship through any of their parents, include a certified copy of your own full birth certificate showing the birthplaces of your parent(s). Under circumstances where even the parents acquired such citizenship through descent, a letter from the relevant authorities of the country concerned will suffice. Documents issued in a foreign language must be officially translated into English by a sworn translator.
9. Photographs: Submit four (4) clear, professionally taken colour photos of the full face of the applicant, showing only head and shoulders measuring 35mm x 45mm. Include the photos, but do not attach them to the form. Have one (1) photo endorsed by the Police/Officer by placing the applicant’s name on the reverse side and the signature of the Police/Officer.
10. If you are a naturalised South African, include a certified copy of your Naturalisation Certificate.
11. The following requirements must be submitted with each application for applicants under the age of 18 (this includes the emergency travel certificate applications):
    • Current certified copy of the child’s unabridged birth certificate
    • Current certified copy of both parents / legal guardians’ passports
    • Letter from both parents/guardians indicating that permission has been granted for the application of the child’s passport.
    • Contact numbers for both parents/guardians.
    • Certified copy of death certificate, where applicable
    • Certified copy of court order, where applicable
    • Certified copy of marriage certificate, where applicable

Passport fees (non-refundable) 

Payment must be in Australian Dollars (AUD) made out to the “South African High Commission” by way of Postal Money Order or Bank Cheque.

ONE Postal Money order or Bank Cheque for the total amount / whole family is preferred.

Personal cheques or credit cards are NOT accepted. Incorrect amounts will not be processed, and the cheque or postal money order will be returned to applicant.

Return Postage: Only Australian applications

• For applications originating from within Australia -please send a self-addressed Express or Registered Post Envelope (only one envelope per family).

General Notes

1. Children are no longer endorsed on their parents’ passports. Minors under the age of 18 years must have the consent of both parents on form BI-73
2. Dual Citizenship: A South African citizen who is also a citizen of another country must use their South African passport when entering or departing South Africa.
3. Foreign Visas in Current Passport: Any valid visas that are contained in your current passport will not be affected in any way. Any queries regarding your visas should be directed to the issuing country concerned.
4. Old Passports: Although the note in Paragraph D of the application form indicates that your current/old passport must be forwarded with the application, it is not necessary – please keep your old/current passport.
5. Applicable to women: If you want your passport to be issued in your maiden/married surname, a formal letter of request must also be included, together with a certified copy of your divorce/marriage certificate.

Postal Address: Only Australian applications

The South African High Commission
State Circle
Yarralumla
ACT
2600