South African Passport Application (updated on 2021-Nov. 11)

All documents issued by the issuing authority of the country of origin shall be original or certified copies and where applicable translated into English, which translation shall be certified as a correct translation by a sworn translator.

Application has to be filed IN PERSON with the followings BY APPOINTMENT:

• Completed DHA-73 and DHA-529 in BLACK pen and in BLOCK letters
• Four (4) recent coloured photos in white background (showing head and shoulders measuring 35mm x 45mm and head to chin 29mm to 34mm with mouth closed)
• South African valid passport(s) (original and copy)
• South African ID (original and copy)
• South African birth certificate, if available (original and copy)
• Foreign passport and proof of dual nationality from South Africa (original and copy), if any
• Permit for permanent residence and naturalisation certificate, if naturalised South African (original and/or copy)
• Marriage certificate and spouse’s passport to update the SA government about your marriage (original and copy), if applicable
• Self-motivated letter from female applicant who would like to keep maiden name OR to change to married surname (If so, marriage certificate and spouse passport is required)
• Unabridged birth certificate is required for minor applicant (under 18 years old) AND both parents have to be present to sign for consent for minor’s passport application with proof of their identifications (passports and/or ID)
• Please take note that full fingerprints will be captured for all applicants 16 years and older. Original fingerprints form (DHA-9) is only available at this mission. 
• Proof of date of departure, if applying for Emergency Passport Certificate
• Police Loss Report, if applicable (original and copy) If it is not written in English, please have a professional translator to translate your police report into English.

New passport for child

• DHA 73 (child) Needed for a child
• DHA 529 (Father, Mother, Child) DHA 529 needs to be prepared by Father, Mother, and Child.
• Therefore, please prepare 3 sets of DHA 529.

• Copies of Father’s and Mother’s passports
• Copies of Father’s and Mother’s ID books.
• Marriage certificate between Father and Mother
• If a child is under 16 years old, please bring a SA birth certificate
• If a child is over 16 years old, please bring his/her own ID book or SA birth certificate if ID is no available.
• Please bring 4 photos, in case.

Attention:

If a child’s birth certificate is written in another language, please have a professional translator to translate the birth certificate.

Note:

If birth registration and passport is done at that same time, please bring foreign translated birth certificate translated by professional translator.

If your marriage certificate is written in another language, please have a professional translator to translate the birth certificate.

Application fee (in Bank Transfer):

9,744 Yen (48 pages MAXI passport)

4,872 Yen (32 pages passport / 32 pages CHILD passport)

1,400 Yen (*Emergency Passport Certificate – for a SINGLE journey back to SA on emergency)

Processing Time:

Civic application takes 6-9 months (-/+) for processing by Department of Home Affairs in South Africa.

ID application

All documents issued by the issuing authority of the country of origin shall be original or certified copies and where applicable translated into English, which translation shall be certified as a correct translation by a sworn translator.

Application has to be filed IN PERSON with the followings BY APPOINTMENT:

Applying for an Identity book / Identity document for the first time

First time applicants must submit the following:

• DHA-9, completed in black ink (DHA 9 is at the Embassy)
• Original Birth certificate
• Three (3) recent coloured photos in white background (showing head and shoulders measuring 35mm x 45mm and head to chin 29mm to 34mm with mouth closed)
• Your fingerprints will be taken at the Embassy on Form DHA-9. 

If you are a naturalised citizen or a permanent residence permit holder you must attach the following to your application form:

• Naturalisation certificate (Original and Copy)
• Permanent residency certificate (Original and Copy)
• Exemption certificate (Original and Copy)
• Form BI-1620, which must be completed.

If the permanent residence permit or exemption certificate cannot be furnished, Form BI-829 must be completed for the issuing of a duplicate thereof. If the naturalization certificate cannot be furnished, you must apply for a duplicate prior to submitting the ID book application.

Re-issuing an ID book

You can apply to have your ID book re-issued:

• If you are married and want to assume the surname of your spouse. You must submit a copy of your marriage certificate, a completed application DHA-9 and a pay the required fee.
• If you are a woman and want to apply for a new ID in the name of any of your previous surnames, then documentary proof showing you are entitled to use that surname must be provided (i.e. a birth certificate, a marriage certificate, etc.) along with a completed DHA-9. You will also be required to pay a fee for the re-issue.
• If your ID book has been lost, stolen or damaged.

Notice of Birth – to be filed within 30 days

All documents issued by the issuing authority of the country of origin shall be original or certified copies and where applicable translated into English, which translation shall be certified as a correct translation by a sworn translator.

Application has to be filed by South African parent(s) with the followings BY APPOINTMENT:

• Completed form DHA-24, DHA-529 for child, DHA-529 for South African father and mother in BLACK pen and in BLOCK letters
• Child’s full birth certificate in English (original and copy)
• Child’s foreign passport/ID, if any (original and copy)
• Parents’ marriage certificate in English, if applicable (original and copy)
• Parents’ South African valid passport(s) (original and copy)
• Parents’ South African ID, if available (original and copy)
• Parents’ South African birth certificate, if available (original and copy)
• Parents’ foreign passport(s) and SA proof of dual nationality, if applicable (original and copy)
• Parents’ SA PR permit(s) and naturalisation certificate(s), if applicable (original and copy)
• If child is born out of wedlock, both parents have to be present to sign on form DHA-24 under point D
• No application fee is required

Processing Time:

Civic application takes 6-9 months (-/+) for processing by Department of Home Affairs in South Africa.

Notice of Birth Filed After 30 Days – Late Registration Of Birth (LRB)

All documents issued by the issuing authority of the country of origin shall be original or certified copies and where applicable translated into English, which translation shall be certified as a correct translation by a sworn translator.

Application has to be filed by South African parent(s) with the followings BY APPOINTMENT:

• Completed form DHA-24 LRB – BI-288 for Child, DHA-529 for South African father and mother in BLACK pen and in BLOCK letters.

(DHA-24 form not downloadable. It can be obtained in South African Embassy).

• Completed form DHA-288/A (for notice of birth given after 30 days up to 1 year).
• Complete form DHA-24/A (for child of 15 years and older – fingerprints of child have to be captured, and two photos of child has to be submitted. In this case, child has to be present when loading application).
• Child’s full birth certificate in English (original and copy)
• Child’s foreign passport/ID, if any (original and copy)
• Two (2) recent passport size-coloured photos of child in white background (mouth closed).
• Parents’ marriage certificate in English, if applicable (original and copy)
• Parents’ South African valid passport(s) (original and copy)
• Parents’ South African ID, if available (original and copy)
• Parents’ South African birth certificate, if available (original and copy)
• Parents’ foreign passport(s) and SA proof of dual nationality, if applicable (original and copy)
• Parents’ SA PR permit(s) and naturalisation certificate(s), if applicable (original and copy)
• If child is born out of wedlock, both parents have to be present to sign on form DHA-24 under point D
• Maternity test or DNA test required for applicants over the age on one.
• No application fee is required.

Processing Time:

Civic application takes 6-9 months (-/+) for processing by Department of Home Affairs in South Africa.

late reg birth affidavit

Download here.

Photograph specifications for passports)

Download here.