How to Apply for a South African Passport (DHA-73 Form)
The DHA-73 is the official application form used to apply for a South African passport or travel document at the Department of Home Affairs. A valid passport is essential for international travel. This comprehensive guide walks you through every step of the passport application process — from gathering your documents and completing the form, to submitting your application and collecting your passport.
Documents Required
Before you start filling the form, gather all the documents you will need. Missing or incomplete documents are one of the most common reasons applications are delayed or rejected.
- Original South African Smart ID card or valid ID book (required for identity verification at Home Affairs)
- Two colour passport-size photographs (35mm x 45mm, taken within the last 6 months, white background, no glasses)
- Previous passport (must be surrendered with the application if still in your possession)
- Payment of R600 for a standard 32-page passport or R1,200 for a 48-page maxi passport
- Parental consent affidavits from both parents (for minors under 18, plus unabridged birth certificate)
- Court order granting sole custody or guardianship (if applicable, for minor applicants)
Step 1: Check your eligibility and gather documents
Before applying for a passport, ensure you have a valid South African Smart ID card or ID book. If your ID has expired or been lost, you must apply for a replacement first. Collect two recent colour passport-size photographs (35mm x 45mm, white background, neutral expression, no glasses). If you have a previous passport, you must bring it — it will be surrendered with your application. For minors under 18, both parents must provide consent affidavits and an unabridged birth certificate is required.
Step 2: Book an appointment via eHomeAffairs
While walk-ins are accepted at most Home Affairs offices, booking an appointment through the eHomeAffairs online portal (ehomeaffairs.dha.gov.za) significantly reduces waiting time. Select your preferred Home Affairs office, choose an available date and time, and print or save your booking confirmation. Some offices in major cities have dedicated passport counters that operate on an appointment-only basis.
Step 3: Fill in the DHA-73 application form
Complete the DHA-73 form with your personal details: surname, forenames in full, previous surname (if any), marital status, gender, date of birth, 13-digit South African ID number, country of birth, place of birth, and postal address with telephone numbers. In Section D, indicate whether you have acquired citizenship of another country and whether you have previously been issued a passport or travel document. Use our online form tool to validate all fields and catch common errors before visiting the office.
Step 4: Complete the citizenship and declaration sections
Section D requires all applicants to declare whether they hold citizenship of another country. If yes, provide the country name and how citizenship was obtained. Indicate whether you have previously been issued a passport and provide the document number if applicable. Note that South African passports currently in your possession must be surrendered. In Section E, read the declaration carefully, sign, and date the form.
Step 5: Submit the application at Home Affairs
Take the completed DHA-73 form, your ID, photographs, payment, and any previous passport to your nearest Department of Home Affairs office. A Home Affairs official will verify your identity, capture your fingerprints and a digital photograph, check your documents, and process the application. You will receive a receipt with a reference number — keep this safe for tracking your application status.
Step 6: Pay the passport fee
The standard 32-page passport costs R600 and the 48-page maxi passport costs R1,200. Payment is made at the Home Affairs office at the time of application. Most offices accept cash and card payments. The fee is non-refundable once the application is processed, even if the passport is not collected.
Step 7: Track and collect your passport
Standard passport processing takes approximately 7 to 21 working days from the date of application, though passports are often available within 7 working days. You can track your application status on the Department of Home Affairs website or by calling their contact centre. When your passport is ready, collect it from the Home Affairs office where you submitted the application. Bring your receipt and ID for verification.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Photographs not meeting specifications — photos must be 35mm x 45mm, colour, white background, neutral expression, no glasses, and taken within the last 6 months.
- Not bringing your current passport — if you have a previous passport (even if expired), you must surrender it with the application.
- Incorrect ID number — transposing digits in your 13-digit South African ID number is a common error caught by our validation tool.
- Incomplete citizenship section — Section D must be completed by all applicants, even if you have never held another citizenship.
- Not signing the declaration — an unsigned DHA-73 form will be rejected.
- Minor applicants without parental consent — both parents must provide consent affidavits for children under 18.
Tips for Success
- Book an appointment via eHomeAffairs to avoid long queues — this is especially important at busy offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Pretoria.
- Use FillMeIn's guided DHA-73 tool to validate your ID number, check required fields, and generate a properly formatted PDF before visiting Home Affairs.
- Apply well in advance of any planned travel — while processing is typically 7-21 working days, delays can occur during peak periods like December holidays.
- Get your passport photos taken at a professional studio that knows the Home Affairs specifications — incorrect photos are the most common reason for rejection.
- Check the Department of Home Affairs website for the latest fee schedule before your visit — fees are updated periodically.
- For minor children, prepare all consent documents in advance — obtaining court orders or tracing absent parents can take weeks.
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