Please note that one appointment is required for each child/applicant. For example, if you are applying for two people, you must book two separate appointment slots through the Booking Calendar on the above webpage.

Appointment Requirements

1. Please bring a black ink pen to your appointment.
2. A child must be at least 15 years and 9 months old to apply for their first ID document.
3. To apply for a first adult passport, the child/applicant must be 16 years of age or older.
4. A passport renewal application can only be submitted if the current passport has less than 12 months’ validity remaining.
5. Applicants aged 16 years and older applying for a first adult passport must also apply for an ID book at the same time.
6. For applicants under the age of 18, both parents must be present at the appointment.
7. All application forms must be fully completed including the UK residential address but not signed, as they must be signed in the presence of a Home Affairs Official.
8. Please bring the original documents and three copies of each supporting document for every application. The Home Affairs Official will certify the copies.
9. Please do not make any confirmed travel arrangements until your passport has been issued and received.

Forms and Documentation

• Complete all forms in BLOCK LETTERS using BLACK INK.
• Ensure that all forms are completed in full but do not sign them, as they must be signed in the presence of a Home Affairs Official.

1. Form DHA-73

• This form must be downloaded and completed in full on both the sides before your appointment date.
• Sign the form only in front of Home Affairs Official.

2. Form BI-529 (Determination of Citizenship Status)

• This form must be downloaded and completed in full on both sides before your appointment date.
• The purpose of this form is to confirm that the personal information provided is true accurate and complete and that your personal details correspond with those recorded on the National Population Register

Sections of Form BI-529 to Complete

Part A

• Questions 7 is important and must be completed if you were born outside South Africa
• 9, 10 and 11 are particularly important.
• For Question 9, provide the date on which you first entered the UK to live or work.
• Question 10(d) must also be completed by circling Yes or No:
  • Circle No if you do not have a Retention/Re-instatement of South African Citizenship Letter.
  • Circle Yes if you have a Retention/Re-instatement of South African Citizenship Letter and bring your original Retention/Re-instatement Letter/Certificate to your appointment.

Part B

• Enter your marital status next to the words “Marital Status” on the form (for example: Marital Status: Never Married, Married, Divorced or Widowed).
• Details of the applicant’s current or former spouse must be completed, including where the spouse is deceased, divorced or widowed.
• For the legalisation of UK marriage certificates and UK divorce decrees, visit: https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised (Please refer to Supporting Documents Requirement No. 5).

Part C and Part D

• Complete fully with both parents’ details, including:
  • No. 5: ID numbers
  • No.6 of Section “C” and No.7 & of Section “D” in important if parents were born outside RSA (provide proof such as RSA naturalisation/Permanent Residence Permit.
  • Any foreign citizenship they hold (Indicate and provide proof of foreign citizenship)

Part E

• Do not sign the form, Must sign only in the presence of a Home Affairs Official.
• You must complete fully by providing your residential address, a valid telephone/mobile number, and an email address (in block letters).
• Please make two copies of the completed original BI-529 form before attending your appointment.

3. Form DHA-9

• This barcoded form cannot be downloaded.
• It will be provided to you on the day of your appointment.

Documents to Be Submitted

Please bring the original documents together with three (3) photocopies of each required document.

Arrangement of Supporting Documents

Please arrange the photocopies of the supporting documents separately and in the following order:

1. 1. Child’s/applicant’s documents
   2. Mother’s documents
   3. Father’s documents

1. Current Passport

• Submit child’s/applicant’s current or most recent South African passport.

2. South African Unabridged Birth Certificate

• Submit child’s/applicant’s South African unabridged birth certificate, showing the names of both parents.
• If you do not have an unabridged birth certificate, you must apply for one and wait until you receive it before booking an appointment.
• Please note: Applications cannot be submitted without a South African unabridged birth certificate.

3. Foreign Unabridged Birth Certificate

• If the child/applicant was born outside South Africa, submit child’s/applicant’s foreign unabridged birth certificate as well.

4. Proof of Acquisition of Foreign Nationality (if applicable)

If you hold a foreign nationality, proof must be provided showing how and when the foreign nationality was acquired.

Examples of acceptable documents include:

• Naturalisation Certificate;
• Registration Certificate;
• Foreign birth certificate issued by the Embassy/High Commission; or
• An official signed letter from the relevant authorities confirming the date and way citizenship was acquired.

Please note:

• A foreign passport or birth certificate alone is not sufficient proof of citizenship acquisition, as these documents do not indicate how or when (date) citizenship was obtained.

For British Citizens

• If you do not possess the required evidence, please visit the UK Government website for guidance on obtaining the relevant documentation:
  • www.gov.uk/hm-passport-office
• You may also try and email DPA.Queries@hmpo.gov.uk attaching copies of:
  • Your UK passport;
  • Birth certificate; and
  • Proof of your parents’ UK passports and UK citizenship documents.
• Applicants aged 16 years and older must submit the enquiry themselves.

For Other Nationalities

• Contact the relevant foreign authority and request an official signed letter confirming the date and means by which citizenship or nationality was acquired.

Documents in Foreign Languages

• Any document not in English must be officially translated into English.
• Bring copies of both:
  • The original foreign-language document; and
  • The certified English translation.

5.Marriage Certificate & Divorce Decree (if applicable)

It is important to register/update marriage status in the population Registrar

• Submit your marriage certificate and Divorce Decree (if applicable)
• If married outside South Africa, an Apostilled/Legalised Marriage Certificate must be provided, including where the spouse is not a South African citizen.

• If married or divorced outside South Africa, the marriage or divorce must be registered in South Africa, regardless of your spouse’s nationality.

• Information, application forms and requirements for the registration of foreign marriages and divorce is available on our above website under “Services”:

 “Registration of Foreign Marriages/Divorce in RSA.”

• Please note: Apostille certification can only be obtained from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO):  https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised

6. Photographs

Submit six (6) professionally taken colour photographs of the child/applicant that:

• Show a full-face image;
• Include head and shoulders only;
• Measure 35 mm x 45 mm;
• Taken without glasses; and
• Show a clear forehead that is not covered by hair.

7. First Identity Document

• The first Identity Document (ID) is issued free of charge.
• Please note that applicants will be issued an Identity Document (ID Book) and not an ID Card
• Please Note: at the moment you can apply for ID cards only in RSA.

8. Processing Fee

A non-refundable processing fee of £53.00 is payable and must be deposited electronically into the High Commission’s account using the details below:

Please Note: A non-refundable processing fee for a lost, destroyed, or misplaced passport is £106.00 (double the standard fee) is payable and must be deposited electronically into the High Commission’s account using the details below:

Bank: Lloyds Bank PLC
Account Name: South African High Commission
Account Number: 51969368
Sort Code: 30-65-41
Currency: GBP

Payment Reference

• Use the applicant’s surname and full names exactly as they appear on their passport, birth certificate or identity document.

Important Payment Information

• You must bring a printed proof of payment to your appointment.
• Payment should be made at least three working days before the appointment date.

9. Both Parents’ Documents to be submitted:

Please submit the following for both parents:

• South African barcoded Identity Document (ID Book) or Smart ID Card.
• Valid South African passport.
• South African birth certificate
• Where a parent is not a South African citizen:
  • Valid foreign passport;
  • Non-SA Identity Document
  • South African Naturalisation Certificate
  • South African permit.

2. Proof of Foreign Citizenship (for South African Parents Holding Foreign Nationality)

South African parents who have acquired foreign nationality must provide proof showing how and when the foreign nationality was acquired.

Examples of acceptable documents include:

• Naturalisation Certificate;
• Registration Certificate;
• Foreign birth certificate issued by the relevant authority or embassy/High Commission or
• An official signed letter issued by the relevant authority confirming the date and way in which citizenship was acquired.

Please note: A foreign passport or foreign birth certificate alone is not accepted as proof of foreign citizenship, as these documents do not indicate the date or way by which citizenship was acquired.

For British Citizens

If the required proof is not available, parents may:

• Visit the UK Government website for guidance on obtaining the relevant documentation:
  • www.gov.uk/hm-passport-office
• They can also try to send an email to DPA.Queries@hmpo.gov.uk, by attaching copies of their:
  • UK passport;
  • Birth certificate; and
  • Proof of their parents’ UK citizenship documents.

Please wait until the required letter or confirmation has been issued before booking an appointment.

3. Marriage Certificate & Divorce Decree (if applicable)

• Please provide the parents’ marriage certificate/divorce decree (if applicable) including where one of the spouses is not a South African citizen.

• If the marriage or divorce took place outside South Africa:
• The marriage or divorce must be registered in South Africa, including where one spouse is not a South African citizen.

• An Apostilled/Legalised Marriage Certificate and a Divorce Decree (if applicable) must be submitted.

For the legalisation of UK marriage certificates and divorce decrees (See information above under No. 5)

Processing Times

The average processing time for First Identity Documents and First Adult Passports is approximately six to nine months.

You will be notified by email once each document has been received by the office. Separate email notifications will be sent for:

• The Identity Document; and
• The Passport.

Once you have received both notifications, you may:

• Collect each document separately; or
• Collect both documents at the same time.

Documents will be retained securely by the office only for a limited period pending collection.

Important Notice

Failure to comply with any of the above requirements, including the submission of the required photocopies, may result in your application not being accepted on the day of your appointment.

In such cases, you will be required to book a new appointment.

Collection of Passports and Identity Documents

Collection of newly issued passports and Identity Documents takes place:

Monday to Friday between 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

THERE WILL BE NO COLLECTIONS ON:

UK BANK HOLIDAYS & SOUTH AFRICAN PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

In accordance with DHA Circular, the third-party collection of passports is strictly prohibited.

Please also note that, for passport applications submitted within South Africa, the Department of Home Affairs Office where the application is lodged cannot direct the passport to a South African Mission for collection or dispatch.