A child passport in South Africa costs R600 for a child aged 15 or younger, is valid for five years and takes 18 working days to issue, according to Home Affairs. Both parents must normally attend with the child and sign in person. Home Affairs says a consent letter with a copy of the absent parent’s ID is no longer accepted, so plan for both parents to deal with Home Affairs directly.
Fees, validity and waiting times
| Passport | Who it is for | Valid for | Turnaround | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor tourist passport | Citizens 15 years or younger | 5 years | 18 working days | R600 |
| Ordinary tourist passport (32 pages) | Citizens 16 or older | 10 years | 13 working days | R600 |
| Maxi passport (48 pages) | Citizens 16 or older | 10 years | 13 working days | R1 200 |
These fees apply to a first passport, or where the previous passport has expired or has less than six months left. If the previous passport is still valid for six months or longer, the fee doubles: R1 200 for a minor or ordinary passport and R2 400 for a maxi. Child passports cannot be renewed. When one expires, you apply for a new one. Our guide to South African passport costs covers adult applications.
Both parents, in person
For a child 15 or younger, Home Affairs says:
- the child and both parents should attend when the application is submitted
- if the parents are married, both parents and the child sign the application form
- if one parent cannot get to the same office, that parent goes to their nearest Home Affairs office with their original ID and gives consent in person, and the application stays pending until they do
The rule matters because the same Home Affairs page, in its general section, says an absent parent can give consent through an affidavit obtainable at Home Affairs offices. Its section on passports for children 15 or younger says a consent letter and ID copy are no longer accepted. Ask your office which it will take before you travel to it, and expect to need the second parent in person.
Special cases
| Situation | What Home Affairs requires |
|---|---|
| Divorced, no sole guardianship order | The child and both parents attend and both sign |
| Divorced, one parent has full custody | Proof of full custody; a custody dispute must go to the High Court for consent |
| One parent has died | The death certificate and a copy |
| Parents not married | The father’s consent is also needed if the circumstances in section 21 of the Children’s Act apply |
| Child cared for by a guardian | Proof of the guardian’s appointment by the High Court |
| A parent cannot be found, refuses or disputes consent | Refer the matter to the Children’s Court and submit its decision with the application |
What to bring
- the passport application form DHA-73, which the Home Affairs office provides
- the child’s South African birth certificate and a copy
- both parents’ identity documents
- two passport photos that meet Home Affairs specifications, unless you apply at an office that captures photos digitally
- the child’s current passport, if there is one
- if a previous passport was lost or stolen, a loss of passport report (DHA-335) and an affidavit confirming the loss was reported to the police
- the fee
Children aged 16 and 17
At 16 a child moves to the ordinary or maxi tourist passport, valid for 10 years. Anyone aged 16 or older must first apply for an identity document so their fingerprints are registered, so a 16-year-old needs an ID application before the passport. Parental consent is still required for any applicant under 18. Our guide on how to get a Smart ID at your bank covers the first step.
Where to apply
Home Affairs says passport applications can be lodged at a Home Affairs office with live capture, at participating banks or through eHomeAffairs, and that every application must be made in person. Because both parents normally need to be present, confirm with a bank before booking that it handles passports for children. Applications made at an embassy or consulate abroad are estimated to take at least six to eight months.
Before the child travels
The passport must be valid for at least 30 days after the date you leave and have at least two blank facing pages, not counting the endorsement page at the back. Children crossing the border have their own documentary requirements, which can include a birth certificate showing both parents. Our guide to the unabridged birth certificate explains how to get one.
Where to check
- Home Affairs passports and travel documents: fees, turnaround times and consent rules
- Home Affairs travel requirements for children: what children need at the border
HOW WE REPORTED THIS
- Fees, validity, turnaround times, parental consent rules, special cases and the document list were taken from the Department of Home Affairs passports and travel documents page.
- The page's general section refers to a consent affidavit for an absent parent while its section on passports for children 15 or younger says a consent letter and ID copy are no longer accepted; the article reports both and tells parents to confirm with their office.
- Whether participating banks process passports for minors was not confirmed.
- No comment was sought from Home Affairs.
