For New York applicants only:  At least six (6) months after lodging your application, you may check the list of passports ready for release.  If your name appears on the list, forward your current passport to the South African Consulate General in New York for cancellation. Cancelled passport with valid visa will be returned to the applicant together with the new passport.

Regular South African Passports

Regular South African passports are issued to South African applicants who are 16 years old and older. They are valid for 10 years and are not renewable.  When South African passports expire, new passport applications will have to be filed.

Requirements

Application forms plus supporting documentation must be submitted in duplicate (two copies). It has been noted that some applicants submit BI73 in duplicate but supporting documents (determination of citizenship, divorce decrees, marriage certificates, etc.) are still being sent without copies.

Please ensure that you submit two sets of the application:  a) the original application forms and supporting documents, and b) a copy of the complete set.

  • BI 73 – Passport Application form; with signature and left thumb print. 
    Sample BI-73 Passport Application Form for Minors
    Sample BI-73 Passport Application Form for Adults

  • BI 9 form – Full set of fingerprints.  This form must be submitted by applicants 16 years old and above. Fingerprints can be taken at the nearest police station, fingerprints taking centers or a notary public office. See sample BI-9 form. This form is not downloadable. Please send a self-addressed stamped envelope with a request for BI-9 to receive this form.

  • BI 529 – Determination of citizenship.  This form must be completed by applicants who are 16 years old and above; See sample BI-529 form

  • Divorce decree.  To be submitted by divorced female applicants who wish to assume new surnames;

  • Notarized Marriage Certificate.  To be submitted by married women irrespective of whether the they will or will not change their surname;

  • Written Request to Change "Surname".  To be submitted by recently married female applicants who would like:

    • 1) their surnames to be changed accordingly,

    • 2) to retain their maiden surnames, or

    • 3) wish to use double–barrel surnames;

  • Notarized Copy of South African Identity Book or Birth certificate;

  • Exemption Certificate to Travel on a Foreign Passport.  To be submitted by applicants with dual citizenship;

  • Notarized certificate of Naturalization. To be submitted by applicants who are naturalized South Africans.

  • Loss of Passport Report and Police Report for Loss of Passport.  To be submitted by applicants who lost their passports and are applying for a new passport;

  • Four (4) passport size photos (2" x 2")

  • Fees and processing time

  • Where to submit your application

 

Last Revised: Tuesday, March 11, 2008