What To Do When Your SA Passport Is Lost or Stolen
Report the loss or theft to the South African Police Service (SAPS) before doing anything else — your SAPS affidavit determines whether you pay R600 or R800 for a replacement passport.
A lost or stolen South African passport is a serious document security issue. Your passport can be used for identity fraud, fraudulent visa applications, and financial crime. Acting quickly limits the damage.
The process differs depending on whether you are inside South Africa or abroad when you discover the loss.
Inside South Africa — Step by Step
Step 1 — Report to SAPS Immediately
Go to your nearest South African Police Service station and report the loss or theft.
At SAPS you will receive:
- A case number
- An affidavit confirming the loss or theft
The wording of your affidavit matters. If the loss was not your fault — theft, for example — state this explicitly. If the DHA determines the loss was due to your own negligence, the replacement fee which increases to R800. With a SAPS affidavit confirming non-negligence, the standard R600 fee applies.
Keep your SAPS case number and affidavit safely. You will need both for your DHA application.
Step 2 — Protect Your Identity
Notify the following immediately after reporting to SAPS.
| Organisation | Action | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Your bank | Alert them to the loss — request a flag on your account for suspicious activity | Your bank’s fraud line |
| South African Fraud Prevention Service | Register your lost passport on their database — free of charge — to prevent financial fraud | 0860 101 248 |
| Credit bureaux | Request a fraud alert on your credit profile | TransUnion: 0861 482 482 / Experian: 0861 105 665 |
A lost or stolen passport combined with your ID number gives a fraudster significant access to your financial and personal identity. Do not skip these steps.
Step 3 — Apply for a Replacement Passport at a DHA Office
Go to your nearest DHA live capture office in person with all required documents.
You cannot apply for a replacement passport online when your passport has been lost or stolen. You must apply in person.
Documents required:
- Completed Form DHA-73 in black ink and block letters — no Tipp-Ex, no blank fields
- Completed Form DHA-335 (Loss of Passport Report) — obtain from the DHA office
- Completed Form DHA-529 (Determination of Citizenship)
- Your SAPS affidavit and case number confirming the loss or theft
- Your South African Smart ID card or green ID book as proof of identity
- A copy of your lost passport’s front page — if you kept one
- R600 payment (with SAPS affidavit confirming non-negligence) or R800 (without proof of non-negligence)
At the office your photograph and fingerprints will be captured digitally. No physical passport photos are required at live capture offices.
Step 4 — Wait for Your Replacement Passport
A replacement passport follows the same processing timeline as a standard passport — 10 to 14 working days from your biometric appointment.
You will receive an SMS when your passport is ready for collection at the branch where you submitted your biometrics. Third-party collection is not permitted — you must collect in person.
Check your status at any time: SA Passport Status Check — Full Guide
Not sure what documents to take to Home Affairs? Click Here To Use our free checklist and walk in fully prepared.
Abroad — Step by Step
Step 1 — Report to Local Police
Report the loss or theft to the local police in the country where you are and obtain a police report.
This police report serves as your proof of loss for the South African mission where you apply. Keep a copy of it.
Step 2 — Contact Your Nearest South African Mission
Contact your nearest South African embassy, high commission, or consulate immediately.
If you have no valid passport and need to return to South Africa urgently, apply for an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC). An ETC is a single-journey travel document valid for a return trip to South Africa only.
Bring the following to the mission:
- Local police report confirming the loss or theft
- Proof of South African citizenship — Smart ID card, driver’s licence, birth certificate, or a certified copy of your lost passport if you kept one
- Completed Form DHA-73
- Completed Form DHA-529
- Form DHA-9 (fingerprints) — taken at the mission or local police station
- 4 identical colour passport photos (2″ x 2″, white background, ICAO compliant)
- Written motivation explaining your circumstances
For a full ETC guide including all requirements: SA Emergency Passport Application — Urgent Travel Guide
Step 3 — Apply for a Full Replacement Passport
Once back in South Africa, apply for a full replacement passport at your nearest DHA live capture office.
Bring your SAPS affidavit or local police report confirming the loss, Form DHA-335, Form DHA-73, Form DHA-529, your Smart ID, and R600. The process is identical to a standard passport application.
Fee Summary
| Situation | Fee |
|---|---|
| Lost or stolen — SAPS affidavit confirming non-negligence | R600 |
| Lost or stolen — no proof of non-negligence or negligent loss | R800 |
| Damaged passport — negligent damage | R800 |
Always obtain a SAPS affidavit before applying. The R600 difference is significant and the affidavit protects you.
Copy-Paste SAPS Affidavit Wording
When making your statement at SAPS, request that the affidavit includes the following wording or similar:
I, [Full name], ID number [13-digit ID number], hereby declare under oath that my South African passport, number [passport number if known], was [lost/stolen] on or around [date] at [location]. The loss/theft occurred without negligence on my part. I hereby report this loss/theft for the purposes of applying for a replacement passport from the Department of Home Affairs.
Having this specific wording ensures the DHA accepts the affidavit as proof of non-negligence and charges the standard R600 fee.
Official Contact Details
| Channel | Detail |
|---|---|
| DHA toll-free hotline | 0800 60 11 90 |
| DHA email | hacc@dha.gov.za |
| Appointment booking | services.dha.gov.za |
| eHomeAffairs portal | ehome.dha.gov.za |
| SA Fraud Prevention Service | 0860 101 248 |
| Anti-corruption hotline | 0800 701 701 |
This website is not affiliated with the Department of Home Affairs. All contact details are sourced from www.dha.gov.za.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to replace a lost or stolen SA passport? R600 with a SAPS affidavit confirming the loss was not due to your negligence. R800 without proof of non-negligence. Always report to SAPS and obtain an affidavit before visiting the DHA.
Do I need a SAPS affidavit to replace a lost passport? Yes. Form DHA-335 (Loss of Passport Report) and a SAPS affidavit are both required when applying for a replacement. The SAPS affidavit also determines whether you pay R600 or R800.
Can I apply for a replacement passport online if mine was lost or stolen? No. You must apply in person at a DHA live capture office. Replacement applications for lost or stolen passports cannot be submitted through the eHomeAffairs portal.
My passport was stolen abroad. What do I do? Report to the local police first and obtain a police report. Then contact your nearest South African embassy, high commission, or consulate. If you have no valid passport and need to return home urgently, apply for an Emergency Travel Certificate. Once back in South Africa, apply for a full replacement.
Should I notify my bank if my passport is lost or stolen? Yes. Notify your bank immediately and ask them to flag your account for suspicious activity. A lost or stolen passport combined with your ID number can be used for financial fraud. Also register the loss with the South African Fraud Prevention Service on 0860 101 248 — this is free.
What is Form DHA-335? Form DHA-335 is the Loss of Passport Report form required by the DHA when applying for a replacement after a loss or theft. It is not available online — obtain it at your nearest DHA office when you go to apply for a replacement.
Can someone use my lost passport to travel? A lost or stolen passport can potentially be used for fraud before it is officially cancelled in the DHA system. Reporting to SAPS immediately creates a record. The South African Fraud Prevention Service can also flag your passport number across financial institutions. Once you apply for a replacement, your old passport is cancelled in the DHA system.
I found my passport after already reporting it lost. Can I still use it? No. Once a passport is reported lost and a replacement application is in process, the original passport is cancelled. You must use the replacement passport. Attempting to travel on a cancelled passport will result in it being confiscated at the border.
I do not have a copy of my lost passport. Does this affect my replacement application? No. A copy of your lost passport is helpful but not required for a replacement application inside South Africa. Your identity is verified through your Smart ID card and biometric capture at the DHA office.
How long does a replacement passport take? 10 to 14 working days from your biometric appointment — the same as a standard passport. You will receive an SMS when it is ready for collection.