It is necessary to know that when you apply for a passport, Whether in South Africa or other nations, you must apply in person because:
- The passport officer must verify that your identity is legal and valid.
- The passport officer must check if your photograph is an actual image of you and
- Your fingerprints Will be taken (for individuals aged 16 years or older) and checked against the National Population Register.
If you don’t have a valid passport but need to travel urgently, you can apply for an emergency travel document or certificate subject to the requirements below. Note that some countries do not accept emergency travel documents or certificates. You must make sure that you check the relevant authorities of the country you intend to visit before applying for emergency travel documents/certificates.
Fees are applicable for all types of passport and travel document applications, except for official and diplomatic passports.
Applications for replacing a stolen, damaged, or lost passport in any manner would cost twice the issuance fee if it were due to negligence from the holder. Or related to the holder.
A regular tourist passport consists of 32 pages, but frequent travelers can get a maxi tourist passport with 48 pages.
Required Documents for South African Passport Application
- A copy of your Identity Documents
- Passport fee receipt
- An old passport (if you had one)
Application for a South African Passport Using the Home Affairs Office
Before applying for a South African passport or travel document, you must have a South African identity document (ID). This is for people over the age of 16 years.
If you do not have a South African ID, you should obtain the document before applying for your passport.
The application process for a South African passport:
- Get and Complete the DHA-73 form available at Home Affairs offices.
- Submit the DHA-73 form; applications made within South Africa can be submitted at any Home Affairs office.
- Applications made from other countries can still be submitted to South African embassies/missions.
- Endeavor to have your fingerprints and biometric details taken by Home Affairs officials.
- Take two identical passport photographs, not above one-month-old.
- Once issued, your passport will be active for ten years. You will be notified by the Department of Home Affairs when the passport is ready for collection.
Passports are not renewable. Once the validity of a passport expires, you will need to submit a new application for a passport.
Conclusion
All documents requested for passport applications should be completed with black ink. Husband, wife, and children must complete separate application forms. Both parents and the children concerned must be available when applying for passports for children.
You must have a South African identity number before applying for a passport. If you do not have a South African identity number, you should apply for the registration of your birth and a South African identity document.
