Consular Services Information

Overview

All forms need to be completed in BLACK INK only.

Do Not Use Tippex or White-out. The application will be rejected by DHA.

Please ensure that you completely answer the forms—leaving no blanks. If something is irrelevant, please indicate so with an “N/A” (not applicable).

Applicants applying for first adult passport (i.e. applicants 15 and a half years old or turning 16) must ALSO apply for an ID Card along with the passport or before applying for the passport as this is now compulsory by the Department of Home Affairs.

It is important that you bring the correct documents with you. For every document submitted, you must provide the original document which is certified and a photocopy. If your certified documents are not in English, the certified documents must be translated into English by a sworn translator original document (foreign birth or marriage certificate & divorcee decree) must be legalized/apostilled.

To ensure that applicants receive their documents on time, they are advised to please book an appointment at least 12 months before expiry of current passport to avoid any delays. Please do not make firm travel arrangements before obtaining your passport.

Fees

Once you have made your application, you will have to pay the fee at the Application Centre by Credit/Debit card only. Kindly note that other modes of payment are not accepted.

Documents Required

It is important that you bring the correct documents with you. For every document submitted, you must provide the original document which is certified and a photocopy. If your certified documents are not in English, the certified documents must be translated into English by a sworn translator original document (foreign birth or marriage certificate & divorcee decree) must be legalised/apostilled.

• Form DHA-73 Passport Application Form

  Applicant to complete the section A and sign in section E of the DHA 73form.
  Section B of this form will complete upon your appointment at office.

  Parental consent on page 2 section C of DHA 73 must be signed in the office if applicant is under 18 years and both parents must be present in the office for the passport of applicants below 18 years.

  If one parent is not in the UAE, consent must be obtained from the Home Affairs in South Africa or from a local South African Embassy to complete the DHA-73 form and give consent for the child’s passport application where the other parent is residing.

  In a case where parents have passed on, the lawful guardian will submit the certified copy of the court order certificate of adoption and certified copy of the first page of his/her identity document and passport.

• DHA-529 - Determination of Citizenship Status

  This form is required for all passport applications applied for outside of South Africa. Please mark N/A to questions that are not applicable - do not leave anything blank.

  Please note questions A9 & A10 MUST be answered and section 'E' signed by the applicant or the form will be returned.

• Form DHA-9 Full set of fingerprints

  This form is not downloadable. You will receive it to complete on the day of your appointment at Application Centre.

• Form DI-47 Loss of passport report and police report

  To be submitted for lost/stolen passport with police report - if applicable.

• Bring the original and copies of your below documents

  This Application Centre can certify the copy as a “true copy of the original” if the original is shown.

  1. South Africa current passport.
  2. South Africa Identity document. (ID book / Smart ID Card)
  3. South Africa birth certificate.
  4. South Africa marriage certificate, if married surname to be mentioned in passport.
  5. South Africa ID books / smart ID cards and passports of both parent’s, if applicant is under 18 years for first adult passport.

• A certified copy of your foreign citizenship certificate and your dual citizenship certificate - if applicable

  If you have dual nationality, please provide proof of how and when you acquired the foreign nationality, such Naturalization and retention or Registration Certificate.

  FOREIGN PASSPORT OR ID IS NOT PROOF OF HOW AND WHEN YOU ACQUIRED FOREIGN CITIZENSHIP.

  In cases of the applicant who acquired foreign citizenship through descent from a parent, a certified copy of your own full birth certificate showing the birth places of your parent(s) is required. Under circumstances where even the parents acquired such citizenship through descent, a letter from the relevant authorities of the country concerned will suffice.

  If you are a naturalised South African, a certified copy of your Naturalisation Certificate.

  Documents issued in a foreign language must be officially translated to English by a sworn translator. This Application Centre can certify the copy as a “true copy of the original” if the original is provided.

• Applicable to women to mentioned married surname in passport

  If you want your passport to be issued in your maiden / married surname, a formal letter of request must also be included together with a certified copy of your marriage certificate.

  Foreign marriage certificate (if married outside SA) must submit ID/Passport of spouse together with the marriage registration form available on our website.

  Foreign divorce certificate (if divorced outside SA) if possible, submit ID/Passport of spouse together with the divorced registration form available on our website.

  Final Divorce Decree, both copies of marriage certificate and final divorce decree must be submitted.

Photo Specifications

 Important notes:

• Your photograph must meet DHA’s requirements. Failure to meet these requirements can delay your application or result in its rejection.
• Your photograph must not be altered or enhanced in any way. This includes the modification of facial features and/or the usage of photo editing software.
• Please do not attach the photos to the form. Officials at the Application Centre will certify photos on the day of your appointment.
• Four (4) clear, professionally taken colour photos of full face of applicant, showing only head and shoulders measuring 35mm x 45mm. Applicants are also requested to provide a digital copy at the Application Centre via email.

Please refer to the below guidelines from DHA for photos

click here

Processing Time

Please note: Applicants are advised to apply for a new South African passport up to 18 months before the expiry of their current passport to avoid any inconvenience or delays. This advisory is in line with the latest guidance available from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).

Applicants are also requested not to make firm travel arrangements until they have received their new passport.

Download Forms

All forms need to be completed in BLACK INK & BLOCK LETTERS only. Do Not Use Tippex or White-out. The application will be rejected by DHA.

Please ensure that you completely answer the forms—leaving no blanks. If something is irrelevant, please indicate so with an “N/A” (not applicable).

• DHA - 73_Passport Application
• DHA-529_Determination of Citizenship
• DI – 47_Loss Report

Overview

Registration of Birth within 30 days of Birth Abroad

All forms need to be completed in BLACK INK only. Do Not Use Tippex or White-out. The application will be rejected by DHA.

Please ensure that you completely answer the forms—leaving no blanks. If something is irrelevant, please indicate so with an “N/A” (not applicable). It is important to bring the correct documents with you. For every document submitted, you must provide the original document along with a certified photocopy. If your certified documents are not in English, they must be translated into English by a sworn translator, and the original documents must be legalised or apostilled.

Please note, applications are forwarded to the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa for processing. Therefore, to ensure that applicants receive their documents on time, they are advised to book an appointment at least eighteen months before to avoid any delays.

Both Parents and Child must be present at VFS center at the time of submission of Foreign Birth Registration.

All children born in South Africa must be registered within 30 days of their birth (in terms of the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1992.)

Applications must be submitted within 30 days of birth. After 30 days, apply directly to the South African Consulate or Embassy in UAE.

Registration of a Birth above 30 days

For Birth Registration above 30 days, kindly request to contact the South Africa Consulate in Dubai or South Africa Embassy in Abu Dhabi to submit the application for registration of a birth above 30 days.

Fees

Once you have made your application, you will have to pay the fee at the Application Centre by Credit/Debit card only. Kindly note that other modes of payment are not accepted.

Documents Required

It is important that you bring the correct documents with you. For every document submitted, you must provide the original document which is certified and a photocopy. If your certified documents are not in English, the certified documents must be translated into English by a sworn translator original document (foreign birth or marriage certificate & divorcee decree) must be legalized/apostilled.

1. DHA - 529 - Determination of Citizenship Status - This form is required for Foreign Birth Registration applications applied for outside of South Africa. Please mark N/A to questions that are not applicable - do not leave anything blank.

Please note Questions A9 & A10 MUST be answered and section 'E' signed by the applicant (parent) or the form will be returned.

3 sets of DHA 529 for the child and one each for mother and father – this is required regardless of different nationality for one of the parents.

2. DHA - 288 - Affidavit in Support of Notice of Birth - This form is required for Foreign Birth Registration applications applied for outside of South Africa. Please mark N/A to questions that are not applicable - do not leave anything blank.
3. DHA – 154 - Application for Birth Certificate - This form is required for Foreign Birth Registration applications applied for outside of South Africa. Please mark N/A to questions that are not applicable - do not leave anything blank.
4. Form DHA-24 - Full set of Footprint - This form is not downloadable. Parent/s is required to complete this form on the day of your appointment at Application Centre.
5. Both Parents and Child must be present at VFS center at the time of submission of Foreign Birth Registration.

 

6. Original and copies of the documents required for verification.
   1. UAE Birth certificate.
   2. Parents' Marriage certificate.
   3. South Africa ID books / smart ID cards of both parents as applicable
   4. Passport of both parents.
   5. A certified copy of parent’s foreign citizenship certificate and your dual citizenship certificate - if applicable. If you have dual nationality, please provide proof of how and when you acquired the foreign nationality, such Naturalization and retention or Registration Certificate.

FOREIGN PASSPORT OR ID IS NOT PROOF OF HOW AND WHEN YOU ACQUIRED FOREIGN CITIZENSHIP.

In cases of the applicant who acquired foreign citizenship through descent from a parent, a certified copy of your own full birth certificate showing the birth places of your parent(s) is required. Under circumstances where even the parents acquired such citizenship through descent, a letter from the relevant authorities of the country concerned will suffice.

If you are a naturalized South African, a certified copy of your Naturalisation Certificate.

Documents issued in a foreign language (if not in English) must be officially translated to English by a sworn translator

 

Registration of the birth of a child born out of wedlock

 

Children born out of wedlock are registered under the surname of the mother.

 

They may also be registered under the surname of their biological father provided that the father acknowledges paternity and both the father and the mother consent to the registration of the child under the father’s surname in the presence of a Home Affairs official. This requirement needs to be fulfilled at the Consulate in front of Commissioner of Oaths prior to booking an appointment.

 

DHA-24 must be completed (with black ink only) and it must be submitted to the application center along with the above requirements.

Photo Specifications

 Important notes:

• Your photograph must meet DHA’s requirements. Failure to meet these requirements can delay your application or result in its rejection.
• Your photograph must not be altered or enhanced in any way. This includes the modification of facial features and/or the usage of photo editing software.
• Please do not attach the photos to the form. Officials at the Application Centre will certify photos on the day of your appointment.
• Four (4) clear, professionally taken colour photos of full face of applicant, showing only head and shoulders measuring 35mm x 45mm. Applicants are also requested to provide a digital copy at the Application Centre via email.

Please refer to the guidelines below from DHA for photos

click here

Processing Time

Processing time is 08 WEEK TO 12 WEEKS MINIMUM; Applications are forwarded to Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria for processing.

Applicants are also requested not to make firm travel arrangements until they have received their new passport.

Download Forms

All forms need to be completed in BLACK INK & BLOCK LETTERS only. Do Not Use Tippex or White-out. The application will be rejected by DHA.

Please ensure that you completely answer the forms—leaving no blanks. If something is irrelevant, please indicate so with an “N/A” (not applicable).

• DHA – 288 Affidavit in Support of Notice of Birth
• DHA-529_Determination of Citizenship
• DHA – 154_Application for Birth Certificate

Overview

All forms need to be completed in BLACK INK only. Do Not Use Tippex or White-out. The application will be rejected by DHA.

Please ensure that you completely answer the forms—leaving no blanks. If something is irrelevant, please indicate so with an “N/A” (not applicable).

To ensure that applicants receive their documents on time, they are advised to please book an appointment at least EIGHTEEN months before expiry of current passport to avoid any delays. Please do not make firm travel arrangements before obtaining your passport.

BOTH PARENTS AND CHILD must be present at the office for the passport application.

If applicant is under 15 and a half years old, they are not required to provide fingerprints.

If the child is older than 15 and a half years old, they are required to apply for the first Adult Passport and ID Card.

Fees

Once you have made your application, you will have to pay the fee at the Application Centre by Credit/Debit card only. Kindly note that other modes of payment are not accepted.

Documents Required

It is important that you bring the correct documents with you. For every document submitted, you must provide the original document which is certified and a photocopy. If your certified documents are not in English, the certified documents must be translated into English by a sworn translator original document (foreign birth) must be legalised/apostilled.

• Form DHA-73 - Passport Application Form

  Applicant to complete the section A and sign in section E of the DHA 73 form.

  Section B of this form will complete upon your appointment at office.

  Parental consent on page 2 section C of DHA 73 must be signed in the office if applicant is under 18 years and both parents must be present at the office for the passport of applicants below 18 years.

  If one parent is not in the UAE, consent must be obtained from the Home Affairs in South Africa or from a local South African Embassy to complete the DHA-73 form and give consent for the child’s passport application where the other parent is residing.

  In a case where parents have passed on, the lawful guardian will submit the certified copy of the court order certificate of adoption and certified copy of the first page of his/her identity document and passport.

• Form DHA-529 - Determination of Citizenship Status

  This form is required for all passport applications made outside of South Africa.

  Please mark N/A to questions that are not applicable. Do not leave anything blank. Please note questions A9 & A10 MUST be answered and section 'E' signed by the parent of the child or the form will be returned.

• Form DI-47 Loss of passport report and police report

  To be submitted for lost/stolen passport with police report - if applicable.

• Bring the original and copies of your below documents

  This Application Centre can certify the copy if the original is shown.

  1. South Africa current passport.
  2. South African Birth certificate.
  3. Parents' Marriage certificate.
  4. South Africa ID books / smart ID cards of both parents.
  5. South Africa passports of both parents.

• A certified copy of your foreign citizenship certificate and your dual citizenship certificate - if applicable

  If you have dual nationality, please provide proof of how and when you acquired the foreign nationality, such Naturalization and retention or Registration Certificate.

  FOREIGN PASSPORT OR ID IS NOT PROOF OF HOW AND WHEN YOU ACQUIRED FOREIGN CITIZENSHIP.

  In cases of the applicant who acquired foreign citizenship through descent from a parent, a certified copy of your own full birth certificate showing the birth places of your parent(s) is required. Under circumstances where even the parents acquired such citizenship through descent, a letter from the relevant authorities of the country concerned will suffice.

  If you are a naturalised South African, a certified copy of your Naturalisation Certificate.

  Documents issued in a foreign language (if not in English) must be officially translated to English by a sworn translator.

  This Application Centre can certify the copy as a “true copy of the original” if the original is provided.

Photo Specifications

 Important notes:

• Your photograph must meet DHA’s requirements. Failure to meet these requirements can delay your application or result in its rejection.
• Your photograph must not be altered or enhanced in any way. This includes the modification of facial features and/or the usage of photo editing software.
• Please do not attach the photos to the form. Officials at the Application Centre will certify photos on the day of your appointment.
• Four (4) clear, professionally taken colour photos of full face of applicant, showing only head and shoulders measuring 35mm x 45mm. Applicants are also requested to provide a digital copy at the Application Centre via email.

Please refer to the below guidelines from DHA for photos

click here

Processing Time

Please note: Applicants are advised to apply for a new South African passport up to 18 months before the expiry of their current passport to avoid any inconvenience or delays. This advisory is in line with the latest guidance available from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).

Applicants are also requested not to make firm travel arrangements until they have received their new passport.

Download Forms

All forms need to be completed in BLACK INK & BLOCK LETTERS only. Do Not Use Tippex or White-out. The application will be rejected by DHA.

Please ensure that you completely answer the forms—leaving no blanks. If something is irrelevant, please indicate so with an “N/A” (not applicable).

• DHA - 73_Passport Application
• DHA-529_Determination of Citizenship
• DI – 47_Loss Report