• South African Passports

• Passports Ready for Release (for New York applicants only)

• Different Types of Passports and their Corresponding Requirements

South African travel documents are granted in terms of the South African Passport and Travel Documents Act (Act 4 of 1994) and the South African Passport and Travel Documents Regulations of 1996 respectively. A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid South African passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. 

South African passports are issued only in Pretoria. However, applications must still be submitted or forwarded to the applicable South African representative office.  Applications take six (6) months or more to be finalized. 

Temporary Passports and Emergency travel certificates are issued at South African missions abroad and both take only three (3) weeks to be finalized.  

Please be advised that temporary passports are not accepted by some countries.  It is the responsibility of the traveler to inquire with the countries to be visited before applying for a temporary passport.  The Embassy/Consulate accepts no liability in this regard.

Note:  If you would like to receive updates on the status of your application, please include your email address on the top right corner of your application form.

Passports Ready for Release

New York applicants: You may, at least six (6) months after lodging your application, check the list of passports ready for release.  If your name appears on the list, forward your current passport to this office for cancellation. Cancelled passports with valid visas will be returned to applicants together with the new passports.

Applicants must submit 1) duly filled original application forms and 2) photocopy (duplicate) of all the required forms (one complete set) when applying for passports.

Different Types of South African Passports and Their Requirements

• Regular Passports

• Child Passports

• Temporary Passports

• Emergency Travel Certificates

• Maxi Passports

• Where to file your Application

• Passports ready to be released (for New York applicants only)

• Fees and Turn Around Time

• Mailing Fee

To receive updates about the status of your application please include your email address on the top right corner of the application form.

Please note:

You may hold on to your current passport while your new passport is being processed. 

New York applicants: You may, at least six (6) months after lodging your application, check the list of passports ready for release. If your name appears on the list, please forward your current passport to this office for cancellation. Cancelled passports with valid visas will be returned to applicants together with their new passports.
 

Last Revised: Wednesday, May 07, 2008