Cape Verde Passport Documents Checklist
Cape Verdean passports are issued through the Portal Único (gov.cv), the government's single service portal. This page sets out the validity, the fees and the biometric steps. Evidence captured from the portal in September 2026; see the source note about the link below.
The 15-second answer
An ordinary electronic passport is valid for 5 years, or 2 years if you are under 5. In Cape Verde it costs 5,600 CVE for the normal service (15 business days) or 6,000 CVE for the express service (5 business days). Abroad it is 69 EUR normal / 120 EUR express, plus 10–30 EUR postage. Applying online involves face verification and a biometric step (photo and signature) through the gov.cv app.
Validity and types
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Passport type | Ordinary electronic passport |
| Validity (5 and over) | 5 years |
| Validity (under 5) | 2 years |
Fees and processing time
| Where | Service | Fee | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| In Cape Verde | Normal | 5,600 CVE | 15 business days |
| In Cape Verde | Express | 6,000 CVE | 5 business days |
| Abroad | Normal | 69 EUR + postage | — |
| Abroad | Express | 120 EUR + postage | — |
| Abroad postage | 10–30 EUR | ||
What you need to apply
- A valid identity document (CNI, the Cape Verdean identity card, or identity card).
- A passport authorisation for a minor, where applicable (signed by a parent or legal guardian).
- A declaration of loss, theft or misplacement, where applicable.
For a minor, the authorisation must be attached, and during identity verification the minor must be accompanied by the responsible adult.
Applying online — biometric steps
- The application is made on the website or through the GOV.CV mobile app, and requires facial verification (identity verification is mandatory to complete the application, after payment).
- If you apply through the mobile app, you must submit your biometric data (photograph and signature) before identity verification.
- Passports issued in Cape Verde are collected at the service desk; overseas passports are delivered by mail.
The photograph
Cape Verde's portal is a digital-upload service: it specifies pixel dimensions, file size and format rather than a printed millimetre size. See the Cape Verde passport photo page for the full digital requirements, the photo size chart for other formats, and the passport photo checker to validate a file. The at-home photo guide and rejection reasons guide cover common problems.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a Cape Verde passport valid?
The ordinary electronic passport is valid for 5 years, or 2 years for applicants under 5.
How much does a Cape Verde passport cost?
In Cape Verde it is 5,600 CVE for the normal service (15 business days) or 6,000 CVE for the express service (5 business days). Abroad it is 69 EUR normal or 120 EUR express, plus 10-30 EUR postage.
How long does a Cape Verde passport take?
15 business days for the normal service and 5 business days for the express service inside Cape Verde.
Do I apply for a Cape Verde passport online?
Yes - the application is made through the Portal Unico (gov.cv) and requires face verification, with a biometric step for your photo and signature through the gov.cv app.
What photo does a Cape Verde passport need?
Cape Verde uses digital-upload requirements (pixel dimensions, file size and format rather than a printed millimetre size). See the Cape Verde passport photo page for the full specification.
Where is this Cape Verde information from?
It is taken from the Cape Verdean government Portal Unico (gov.cv), with evidence captured on 27 September 2026 and the page re-checked on 3 October 2026. Confirm the current page on gov.cv before you apply.
Browse every checklist on the checklists hub, prepare the photo with the Cape Verde photo page and check validity in the validity guide.
All checklists → Cape Verde photo specs →
Source note: the electronic-passport 5-year validity (2 years under 5), the 5,600 CVE normal / 6,000 CVE express fees (15 / 5 business days), the overseas 69 / 120 EUR fees plus 10–30 EUR postage, the required documents, and the online facial-verification and app photograph-and-signature biometric steps are from the Cape Verdean government Portal Único, gov.cv/en/pedido-passaporte-ordinario (evidence captured 27 September 2026; page re-checked 3 October 2026 and returned the same figures). Fees and times can change, so confirm the current page on gov.cv before applying.