Who Is a Child Passport For?
A South African child passport is issued to South African citizens aged 15 years and younger.
Children aged 15 and a half years and older must apply for a first adult passport and a Smart ID card simultaneously — not a child passport. The DHA requires both documents to be applied for together at this age.
Child passports are valid for 5 years. The application fee is R600.
What Makes a Child Passport Application Different
Child passport applications require the unabridged birth certificate, both parents’ identity documents, and consent from both parents — making them significantly more document-intensive than adult applications.
The three requirements that most commonly delay or derail child passport applications are:
- The unabridged birth certificate — many parents arrive with the abridged version
- Both parents must be present — or a sworn consent affidavit from the absent parent is required
- Divorced, single, or deceased parent scenarios — each has a specific documentation requirement
Each is covered in full below.
Documents Required — Standard Application
Both parents and the child must attend the DHA appointment in person for a standard child passport application.
Documents to bring:
- Child’s unabridged birth certificate — the full version listing both parents — and a certified copy
- Completed Form DHA-73 in black ink and block letters — signed by a parent at the DHA office in front of the official
- Completed Form DHA-529 (Determination of Citizenship)
- Both parents’ South African Smart ID cards or green ID books — originals and certified copies
- Both parents’ passports if applicable — originals and certified copies
- R600 payment
No physical passport photos are required at DHA live capture offices inside South Africa. The child’s photo and fingerprints are captured digitally at the appointment.
Not sure what documents to take to Home Affairs? Click Here To Use our free checklist and walk in fully prepared.
What Is an Unabridged Birth Certificate?
An unabridged birth certificate is the full South African birth certificate that lists both parents’ names, surnames, and ID numbers alongside the child’s details.
It is different from the abridged birth certificate, which is the shorter version showing only the child’s basic details. The DHA requires the unabridged version for all child passport applications.
The most common mistake: Parents arrive at the DHA with the abridged birth certificate — the short version — and are turned away. If you are unsure which version you have, check whether both parents’ full details including ID numbers are listed on the document. If they are not, you have the abridged version and need to apply for the unabridged version before proceeding.
How to apply for an unabridged birth certificate: Unabridged Birth Certificate — How To Get One
Parental Consent — All Scenarios
Both Parents Available and Present
Both parents attend the DHA appointment with the child. Both sign Form DHA-73 at the office in the presence of the Home Affairs official. No additional consent documents are needed.
One Parent Cannot Attend
The absent parent must provide a sworn consent affidavit authorising the other parent to apply for the child’s passport.
The affidavit must:
- Be sworn before a Commissioner of Oaths — a police officer, lawyer, notary, or Home Affairs official
- State the parent’s full name, ID number, and contact details
- Explicitly consent to the child’s passport application
- Be accompanied by a certified copy of the absent parent’s Smart ID card or passport
The DHA may also accept consent obtained from the Home Affairs office in the absent parent’s location, or from a South African embassy or consulate if the parent is abroad.
Divorced Parents — Sole Custody
If one parent has been granted sole custody and guardianship by a court order, that parent can sign the application alone.
Bring a certified copy of the court order confirming sole custody and guardianship. The parent without guardianship does not need to be present and their consent is not required.
Divorced Parents — Joint Custody
Both parents must consent even if the child lives primarily with one parent.
Guardianship and custody are separate legal concepts in South Africa. Unless a court order specifically removes guardianship from one parent, both parents retain guardianship regardless of custody arrangements. Both must consent to the passport application.
If one parent unreasonably withholds consent, the other parent can apply to court for an order authorising the passport application without the other parent’s signature. Seek legal advice in this situation.
One Parent Deceased
Bring the death certificate of the deceased parent — original and certified copy. The surviving parent signs the application alone. No consent affidavit is required for the deceased parent.
Child Born Out of Wedlock — Father on Birth Certificate
If the biological father is named on the unabridged birth certificate, his consent is required for the passport application.
Both parents must consent regardless of marital status. If the father is named on the birth certificate and withholds consent without good reason, a court order is required to proceed.
Child Born Out of Wedlock — Father Not on Birth Certificate
If only the mother’s details appear on the unabridged birth certificate, only the mother’s consent is required.
The mother signs the application alone. The father’s consent is not required if he is not listed on the unabridged birth certificate.
Legal Guardian — Neither Parent Available
A legal guardian must present the court order appointing them as guardian — original and certified copy — along with their own Smart ID card or passport.
How To Apply — Step by Step
Apply in person at your nearest DHA live capture office or participating bank branch.
- Gather all documents — unabridged birth certificate, both parents’ IDs, and any consent affidavits required for your specific situation
- Book an appointment at services.dha.gov.za or through your bank’s app if applying at a bank branch
- Attend the appointment with the child and both parents (or one parent with the required consent documentation)
- Complete Form DHA-73 at the office — do not sign it before arriving, it must be signed in front of the Home Affairs official
- Complete Form DHA-529 at the office
- Have the child’s photo and fingerprints captured digitally
- Pay R600
- Wait for SMS notification — 10 to 14 working days
- Collect in person at the branch where you submitted
Travelling With a Child — Additional Requirements
A South African child passport alone is not always sufficient for international travel. Additional documents may be required at the border.
When travelling with both parents: carry the child’s passport and unabridged birth certificate.
When one parent is travelling alone with a child: carry the child’s passport, unabridged birth certificate, and a Parental Consent Affidavit (Form BI-303) signed by the non-travelling parent before a Commissioner of Oaths. The affidavit must:
- Be no more than 6 months old at the time of travel
- Include the trip details, destination, travel dates, and contact information
- Be accompanied by a certified copy of the non-travelling parent’s ID or passport
When a child is travelling with someone other than a parent: a consent affidavit from both parents, a court order, and the unabridged birth certificate are all required.
Note: South African children using South African passports showing both parents’ details do not need to carry an additional birth certificate when travelling, according to gov.za. However, in practice many airlines and border officials still request it. Carry both documents to avoid problems at check-in or immigration.
Fee Summary
| Applicant | Fee |
|---|---|
| Child passport (first application) | R600 |
| Child passport (replacement — lost, stolen, damaged) | R600 |
| Child aged 15½ and older — adult passport + Smart ID | R600 + R140 |
Official Contact Details
| Channel | Detail |
|---|---|
| Toll-free hotline | 0800 60 11 90 |
| Head office | 012 406 2500 |
| hacc@dha.gov.za | |
| Appointment booking | services.dha.gov.za |
| eHomeAffairs portal | ehome.dha.gov.za |
| 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
Do I need an unabridged birth certificate for a child passport? Yes. The unabridged birth certificate — the full version listing both parents — is required for all child passport applications. The abridged version is not accepted.
Do both parents need to be present for a child passport application? Yes, unless you have a valid reason and the correct documentation for the absent parent. If one parent cannot attend, a sworn consent affidavit from the absent parent is required. If one parent is deceased, bring the death certificate. If one parent has sole custody by court order, bring the court order.
My child is 15 and a half years old. Do they apply for a child passport or adult passport? Adult passport. Children aged 15½ and older must apply for a first adult passport and a Smart ID card simultaneously. They cannot apply for a child passport at this age.
Can a single mother apply for a child passport without the father’s involvement? It depends on whether the father is named on the unabridged birth certificate. If the father is not listed, the mother applies alone. If the father is listed, his consent is required regardless of the parents’ relationship status. If he is unreachable or withholds consent unreasonably, a court order is required to proceed.
What if my ex-partner refuses to consent to our child’s passport application? You must apply to court for an order authorising the passport application. The court will assess the child’s best interests. Seek legal advice from a family law attorney. The DHA cannot override a parent’s refusal to consent without a court order.
Do I need to bring passport photos for my child? No. At DHA live capture offices and participating bank branches inside South Africa, photos are taken digitally at the appointment. Physical photos are only required for overseas mission applications.
Can I apply for a child passport at a bank branch? Yes. FNB, Capitec, Standard Bank, Absa, and African Bank all offer child passport services at selected branches. Both parents and the child must attend in the same way as at a DHA office.
My child was born abroad. Can they get a South African passport? Yes, if at least one parent is a South African citizen and the child has been registered as a South African citizen by descent. Birth registration must be completed first — this takes approximately 4 months from a South African mission abroad. Once registration is complete and an abridged birth certificate is issued, apply for the passport.
How long does a child passport take? 10 to 14 working days from the biometric appointment. You will receive an SMS when it is ready for collection.
Can someone else collect my child’s passport on my behalf? No. Third-party collection of passports is strictly prohibited as per DHA Circular No. 1 of 2022. A parent or legal guardian must collect in person.