South Africa Passport Checklist — Documents, Fees & Timelines
A South African passport or travel document is issued by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) under the South African Passports and Travel Documents Act, No. 4 of 1994. Here is every document, fee and timeline the DHA publishes — plus the two rules that trip most applicants up: you must already hold a South African ID, and a child cannot share your passport. Verified against the DHA travel documents page, September 2026.
Document types, validity and fees
| Document | Who it is for | Validity | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Tourist Passport | Citizens 16 and older | 10 years, 32 pages | R600 first issue or expired; R1200 if the previous passport is still valid for 6 months or more |
| Maxi Passport | Citizens 16 and older who travel often | 10 years, 48 pages | R1200 first issue or expired; R2400 if the previous passport is still valid for 6 months or more |
| Minor Tourist Passport | Citizens 15 and younger | 5 years | R600 |
| Official / Diplomatic Passport | Government officials on official travel; diplomats (managed by DIRCO) | 5 years (Official) | Issued to eligible officials |
| Documents for Travel Purposes | Permanent residence permit holders whose country cannot issue them a passport (includes refugees) | 5 years | See DHA |
| Emergency Travel Certificate | One-off emergency travel (e.g. passport lost or stolen abroad) | Single journey | See DHA |
Temporary passports no longer exist: the DHA stopped issuing them on 1 September 2014, so an Emergency Travel Certificate is only available in genuine emergencies and covers the journey home to South Africa.
The prerequisite: a South African ID first
This is the step that catches people out. The DHA states that a person aged 16 or older must first apply for an identity document so their fingerprints can be registered before applying for a passport. If you do not already have a South African identity number, you must first register your birth and apply for an identity document. A passport application cannot be processed ahead of that.
Documents for an adult passport
- Form DHA-73 — the passport application form, provided by a Home Affairs office.
- Your original identity document plus a copy — or a birth certificate and a copy if you are under 16.
- Any existing valid tourist passport — if it was lost or stolen, add a loss of passport report (DHA-335) and confirmation that you reported the loss to the police (an affidavit).
- Two colour photographs that comply with the Passport and ID Photograph Specifications — not needed at Smart ID card offices, where the image is captured digitally.
- The prescribed fee — R600 for a first issue or an expired passport.
- Form DHA-529 (determination of citizenship) if you are applying from outside South Africa.
Photograph specifications are published separately by the DHA and were not retrievable in official wording during our research, so this checklist does not state a millimetre size or background colour: photo size, head ratio and background — 待补 (awaiting official passport photograph specification page). Where the photo is captured digitally at a Smart ID card office, you do not need to bring one at all.
Documents for a child (15 and younger)
- The child's South African birth certificate plus a copy.
- Two colour passport photographs (same dual-track rule as adults).
- Both parents present, each with their ID documents, plus the original or certified copy of the birth certificate.
- Parental consent where a parent cannot attend — a consent letter with a photocopied ID is no longer accepted; the second parent must give consent in person at a Home Affairs office, and the application stays pending until they do.
- Divorce or separation — the applying parent must show proof of full custody; a contested case needs the consent of the High Court.
- Death of a parent — the death certificate and a copy.
- Where a parent cannot be found, refuses consent or there is a dispute — a Children's Court ruling.
- Non-parent guardianship — proof of guardianship appointed by the High Court.
- Children born out of wedlock — depending on the circumstances set out in the Children's Act, 1995, the biological father's consent may be required.
- Fee: R600.
Every applicant — parents and children — completes a separate application form, and both parents and the child must be present when applying. Minor passport turnaround is 18 working days, against 13 for adults.
Where to apply, and the passport validity rule
Applications inside South Africa can be lodged at any Home Affairs front office with live-capture capability (a Smart ID card office), at participating banks, or through the eHomeAffairs channel. Applications from abroad go to the nearest South African embassy or consulate, and because of logistics can take at least six to eight months. A passport application must be made in person, at home or abroad.
Two entry rules matter as much as the application itself: a passport must be valid for at least 30 days beyond your intended departure date, and it must contain at least two blank facing pages for entry stamps (the endorsement page at the back does not count). If a visa is required, keep two blank facing pages — one for the visa, one for the entry stamp. Names are taken from the National Population Register at the time of application, so any name change must be finalised and recorded there first.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a South African passport cost?
An Ordinary Tourist Passport is R600 for a first issue or if the previous passport has expired or is valid for less than six months, and R1200 if the previous passport is still valid for six months or longer. A Maxi Passport is R1200 or R2400 on the same basis, and a minor's passport is R600.
How long does a South African passport take?
13 working days for an Ordinary or Maxi Passport, 18 working days for a minor's passport, and at least six to eight months for applications lodged outside South Africa.
Do I need a South African ID before applying for a passport?
Yes. A person aged 16 or older must first apply for an identity document so their fingerprints can be registered before applying for a passport. If you have no South African identity number, you must first register your birth and apply for an identity document.
Can my child be added to my passport?
No. Each child needs their own Minor Tourist Passport. Parents and children all complete separate application forms, and both parents and the child must be present when applying.
Is a consent letter with a copy of my ID enough for a child's passport?
No. The DHA states that a letter of consent and an ID copy are no longer accepted. The second parent must give consent in person at a Home Affairs office, and the application stays pending until they do.
What photo does a South African passport need?
Two colour photographs complying with the DHA's Passport and ID Photograph Specifications — not needed at Smart ID card offices, where your image is captured digitally. The official specification states a specific size and background; those exact figures are pending an official source, so confirm the current requirement with the DHA. A general walkthrough of shooting at home is in the at-home photo guide.
Also worth knowing: under section 26(b) of the South African Citizenship Act, 1995, it is a punishable offence for a South African citizen aged 18 or older to leave or enter South Africa using a foreign passport. Once a passport has expired, a new application must be submitted — passports are not renewable. Check any photo you shoot against the rejection reasons guide and the passport photo checker, browse every format on the size chart, and lay out prints with the photo print sheet.