HOW-TO

How to Apply for or Renew a South African Passport

Whether it is your first passport or a renewal, here is the official route through eHomeAffairs and Home Affairs branches, plus fees, timelines and what to bring.

Step by step

1. Confirm what you needDecide between a standard tourist passport and the thicker maxi tourist passport if you travel frequently. Both require a valid South African ID.
2. Register on eHomeAffairsCreate a profile at ehome.dha.gov.za using your ID number and complete the passport application form online.
3. Pay the fee onlinePay through the eHomeAffairs payment step and keep your reference or receipt. Fees differ for standard and maxi passports.
4. Book your branch or bank slotUse the Branch Appointment Booking System to reserve a time at a Home Affairs office or enabled bank branch.
5. Attend for biometricsGo in person with your ID so staff can capture your photograph, fingerprints and signature and verify your details.
6. Track your applicationFollow progress by SMS or online. Passport turnaround varies, so allow enough time before any travel.
7. Collect your passportReturn to the branch to collect when notified, or follow the collection instructions given at application.

First passport or renewal, the process is the same

A South African passport is your key to international travel, and applying for a new one or renewing an existing one follows the same official path. The Department of Home Affairs runs the process through its eHomeAffairs portal, which lets citizens apply and pay online before finishing the application in person. CluedUp is an independent civic guide and not a government body; we set out the genuine steps and link you to the real portals so you do not fall for the many lookalike sites.

Choosing your passport

Most travellers apply for the standard tourist passport. If you travel often and tend to fill pages quickly, the maxi tourist passport is a thicker version with more pages, at a higher fee. Either way you must already hold a valid South African identity document, whether a Smart ID card or the older green barcoded ID book. If you still need to sort out your ID first, our guide on how to apply for a Smart ID card walks you through it.

Applying through eHomeAffairs

Register a profile at ehome.dha.gov.za using your ID number, complete the passport application, and pay the fee online. The portal then lets you arrange your in-person visit. As with Smart IDs, many banks now host Home Affairs desks that handle passports, which can be more convenient than a traditional office. To lock in a specific time, follow our walkthrough on how to book a Home Affairs appointment.

A branch visit is mandatory so that staff can capture and verify your biometric details, meaning your photograph, fingerprints and signature. This step cannot be completed online.

Fees and timelines

As of 2026, the standard tourist passport fee has historically sat around R400, with the maxi passport costing more. These figures are set by Home Affairs and are subject to change, so confirm the current amounts on dha.gov.za before you pay. Processing time depends on the office and how busy it is, so the golden rule is to apply well ahead of any trip. A passport that expires within six months can also cause problems at some borders, which is another reason not to leave a renewal to the last minute. If you are applying for a child, expect a longer document list and the involvement of both parents or a legal guardian, since Home Affairs takes extra care with minors’ travel documents. Building in a buffer of a few weeks beyond the quoted turnaround is sensible, especially in peak periods before school holidays when offices are busiest.

Collecting and tracking

Once your biometrics are captured, your application goes into production. You can follow its progress using our guide on how to check your Home Affairs application status, and you will be told when to collect. Some offices notify you by SMS, so keep the cellphone number you registered active. When you collect, bring your existing ID and the reference number you were given at application, as the branch uses these to hand over the correct document. If your old passport is being replaced, ask the office how the previous one is handled, since a cancelled passport is sometimes returned to you with corners clipped.

Staying safe

Passports are a favourite target for fraudsters, from fake ‘expediting’ services to sites that harvest your personal details. The only genuine channels are the dha.gov.za portals and Home Affairs offices and enabled banks. No real official will ask you for a bribe or for your one-time PIN, and Home Affairs will never ask you to share your OTP or passwords. If someone does, it is a scam. This article is general information and not legal advice; because requirements and fees can change, always verify the latest details directly with Home Affairs on dha.gov.za.

CluedUp is an independent guide and is not affiliated with any government agency. Fees, links and steps can change — always confirm on the official portal before you act. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.