If you are a South African citizen planning to travel abroad, one of the essential documents you will need is a South African passport. However, just like most passports, there are several things you need to know to apply successfully. 
 

Let’s get right into them!

An Overview of The South African Passport
 

A South African passport is an essential document that is issued to citizens of South Africa to facilitate international travel. The passport is your proof of identity and citizenship whenever you travel abroad. 

 A passport is universally recognized and serves as an official government document that confirms your identity and citizenship, making it easier for immigration officials to identify you.
 

The passport not only serves as proof of identity but also demonstrates that the holder is a legal citizen of their home country, allowing them to access various essential services, including medical assistance and legal aid. As proof of identity, a passport is useful in verifying other documents necessary for international travel such as visas and birth certificates.
 

It is an offence punishable under section 26B of the South African Citizenship Act, 1995 for a South African citizen of age 18 and above to enter the country or leave the country on a foreign passport.

All South African passports comprise the following information:
 

• A photograph of the passport holder
• The type of passport
• The Issuing country
• The Passport number
• The first name, middle name, and surname of the passport holder
• The Nationality of the passport holder
• The Gender of the passport holder
• The Birth date
• The Birthplace
• The Issue date
• The Expiry date
• The Issuing authority

What are the Types of South African Passports and How to Apply Can I Apply for them?
 

There are different types of South African passports, including the Ordinary Passport, Official Passport, Diplomatic Passport, and emergency travel certificate.

1. The Official Passport 

The Official Passport is issued to government employees, including diplomats and other government officials travelling abroad on official business. An official passport is valid for a period of five (5) years.

Documents Needed to Apply for an Official Passport 

To apply for an Official passport, you must present the following documents:
 

• A properly completed passport application Form DHA-73
• The original of your identity (ID) number document and a copy of the Identity (ID) number document
• An Official letter headed and signed letter by the head of the institution or his or her representative confirming that the passport is required for official travel and that you are employed by the institution 
• Two coloured photographs that are  two (2) months old
• Your existing valid official passport 
   

Note: If your existing Official passport is lost or stolen. A lost passport report (DHA-335) must be presented alongside your application.

2. Diplomatic Passport

The Diplomatic Passport is for senior government officials, including ambassadors, consuls, and senior civil servants who are travelling abroad on official business. Diplomatic passports are issued by the Department of International Relations. 

Documents Needed to Apply for a Diplomatic Passport

To apply for an Official passport, you must present the following documents:
 

• A properly completed passport application Form DHA-73
• A confirmation letter from your country of origin that they cannot give you a passport. Note that applicants that have been given permanent residence as refugees are exceptions.
• A Letter of Consent by parents in the case of applicants under the age of 18 years
• The original of your permanent residence permit and the copy of the permanent residence permit 
• The original of your SA non-citizen identity document and the copy of the SA non-citizen identity document 
• Two coloured photographs that are two (2) months old. 
• Payment of the prescribed application fee

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3. Tourist Passport for Age 16 and Above 
 

Tourist passports are given to applicants of South African descent who are 16 years and above. Tourist passports are not renewable and are valid for 10 years from the date of issue, therefore you’ll need to complete a new passport application to get a new South African passport.

Documents Needed to Apply for Tourist Passport for Age 16 and Above 

To apply for a Tourist Passport for Age 16 and Above, you must present the following documents:
 

• A properly completed passport application Form DHA-73
• The original of your Identity (ID) number  document and a copy of the Identity (ID) number document 
• The original of your birth certificate and a copy of your birth certificate 
• A Parental Consent letter for applicants under the age of 18 years
• A properly completed Citizenship Form DHA-529 (For those applying from abroad)
• Existing valid Tourist passport 
   

Note: If your existing Official passport is lost or stolen. A lost passport report (DHA-335) must be presented alongside your application.
 

• Two coloured photographs that are two (2) months old. 
• Payment of the prescribed application fee

4. Tourist Passport for Age Under 16 Years

Tourist passports are issued to South African citizens who are under the age of 16 years, that is applicants who are 15 years old or younger than 15 years. Tourist passports are not renewable and are valid for 5 years from the date of issue. 
 

Basically, you need to complete a new passport application to get a new passport of this kind.

Documents Needed to Apply for Tourist Passport Under the Age 16 Years Old

To apply for a Tourist passport under the age of 16 years old, you must present the following documents:

• A properly completed passport application Form DHA-73. Note that the passport application form must be attested to the parents (the father and the mother if they are married). It is also compulsory that both parents are present when the application form is submitted at the nearest Home Affairs office or South Africa Mission/Consulate. 
• A letter of Consent and a copy of your Identity (ID) number document will not be accepted from parents who cannot be in attendance at the submission of the application form. In the absence of sole parental rights in a divorce case, both parents must sign the application form and both of them must be in attendance at the time of submission. 
• The death certificate and copy of the death certificate of a deceased parent are required to be submitted along with the application form. 
• The biological father's consent is required in the case of minors that were born out of wedlock. And both parents are expected to be in attendance at the submission of the passport application form. (This is in accordance with section 21 of the Children's Act, 1995).
• Proof of the High Court's appointment is to be submitted with the passport application if the minor is in the care of a guardian.
•  A copy of the Children's Court decision must be submitted with the passport application form, where the parent refuses to consent or the parent cannot be located.
• The original of your SA non-citizen identity document and the copy of the SA non-citizen identity document 
• Two coloured photographs that are two (2) months old.
• Payment of the prescribed application fee

5. Maxi Tourist Passport 
 

Maxi Tourist passports are the same as regular Tourist passports but have 48-page documents. The passport is meant for those who travel frequently, therefore it has more pages for visa stamps. 
 

The expiry period of the Maxi Tourist passport is ten (10) years. It is issued only for applicants that are aged 16 years old and above and cannot be renewed once it expires. The passport holder needs to submit a new application for another passport.
 

Documents Needed to Apply for Maxi Tourist Passport

To apply for a Maxi Tourist passport, you must present the following documents:

• A properly completed passport application Form DHA-73
• The original of your Identity (ID) number document and a copy of the Identity document
• The original of your Birth certificate and copy of the Birth Certificate (Applicable to the applicant that is under 16 years old). 
• A Consent Letter from parents is required for applicants that are under 18 years old.
• A properly completed determination of Citizenship Form DHA-529 (Applicable to applicants applying from abroad)
• Two coloured photographs that are two (2) months old. 
• Your existing valid official passport 
   

Note: If your existing Official passport is lost or stolen. A lost passport report (DHA-335) must be presented alongside your application.

6. Documents for Travel Purposes

Documents for Travel Purposes is a travelling permit issued to applicants who are permanent residents in South Africa. The Documents for Travel Purposes is particularly meant for applicants who cannot acquire travel papers from their countries of origin. The validity period of Documents for Travel Purposes is 5 years.
 

Documents Needed to Apply for Documents for Travel Purposes 

To apply for Document for Travel Purposes, you must present the following documents:

• A properly completed passport application Form DHA-73
• A confirmation letter from your country of origin that they cannot give you a passport. Note that applicants that have been given permanent residence as refugees are exceptions.
• A Letter of Consent by parents in the case of applicants under the age of 18 years
• The original of your permanent residence permit and the copy of the permanent residence permit 
• The original of your SA non-citizen identity document and the copy of the SA non-citizen identity document 
• Two coloured photographs that are two (2) months old.  
• Payment of the prescribed application fee

7. The Emergency Travel Certificate 
 

The Emergency Travel Certificate is a temporary travel document issued to applicants (South African citizens) who must have lost or damaged their passports while abroad. This certificate is issued to citizens of South Africa, who are returning home in a stringent emergency. 
 

It is only meant for direct travel back home to South Africa. The applicant can now optionally apply for a Tourist passport or a Maxi Tourist passport.
 

Documents Needed to Apply for Emergency Travel Certificate

To apply for an Emergency Travel Certificate, you must present the following documents:
 

• A Police Report (This is to confirm the loss of the passport)
• Two coloured photographs that are two (2) months old
• A properly completed passport application Form DHA-73
• The original of your Identity (ID) number document and a copy of the Identity document

8. Crew Member Certificates

Crew Member Certificates are given to citizens of South Africa who are crew members of an airline that is registered in South Africa.
 

Documents Needed to Apply for Crew Member Certificate

To apply for a Crew Member Certificate,  you must present the following documents:

• A properly completed passport application Form DHA-73
• The original of your Identity (ID) number document and a copy of the Identity document 
• Two coloured photographs that are two (2) months old 
• An Employer's Official Letter (To confirm that the applicant is employed by the airline)

South African Passport Application Tips

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when applying for a South African Passport:

• Make use of black ink to complete your passport application and other documents.
• Husband, wife, and children cannot make use of the same application form. They have to make use of separate application forms. 
• Your name will be written on your Passport as it is recorded in the National Population Register (NPR). Therefore, ensure that mistakes on your names are corrected before you submit your passport application.
• Ensure that your passport validity period is at least 30 days from the expiration date before you travel.
• Ensure that there are blank pages (at least two (2) blank pages excluding the endorsement page) on your passport for the entry stamp.
   

The two blank pages facing each other are for the visa and the entry stamp.

Step by Step on How to Apply For a South African Passport

To apply for a South African passport, the applicants need to take the following steps:
 

Step 1. Visit your nearest Department of Home Affairs office to apply for a South African passport. Applicants living outside the country can visit the South African Embassy to apply for a South African passport.
 

Step 2. Complete all the relevant application forms. Submit the forms along with other required documents.
 

Relevant Application Form:

• DHA-73 form - Passport Application form.
• Form BI-529 - Determination of Citizenship Status form.  
• Form DHA-9 - ID Application form (Fingerprint form)
• Form DI-47 - Stolen / Lost Passport report form. 
   

Step 3. Supply your biometric information, ii. your fingerprints and your digital signature. 
 

Step 4. Wait for your application to be processed. An electronic code to track your application progress will be sent to you. You can track the progress of your application online or through SMS notification with the electronic code sent to you. 
 

Note: Ordinary passport takes between 10 working days to 15 working days. The Official passport and Diplomatic passport take up to 21 working days. 
 

To avoid extra costs, you must ensure that you apply for a new passport six (6) months before the expiration of the current passport.  It takes from six (6) months to twelve (12) months to finalize passport applications. 

Final Thoughts

Obtaining a South African passport is a straightforward process that requires the correct documentation and payment of the passport fee. If you are a South African citizen, ensure that you have a valid passport when travelling abroad, as this will ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey.
 

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