How To Check Your SA Passport Application Status
Check your South African passport application status online at www.dha.gov.za/status using your 13-digit South African ID number.
Please note as of March 2026, this has been suspended until further notice.
There are three ways to check your status. Each is explained in full below.
| Method | How | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Online (Temporarily suspended) | www.dha.gov.za/status | Free |
| SMS | P + ID number to 32552 | Standard SMS rate |
| Phone | Call 0800 60 11 90 | Free |
Method 1 — Check Online
Go to www.dha.gov.za/status and enter your 13-digit South African ID number.
Step-by-step:
- Open a browser and go to www.dha.gov.za/status
- Select Passport Application from the document type options
- Enter your 13-digit South African ID number in the field provided
- Click Submit or Check Status
- Your current application status will display on screen
Important: The online status portal uses your ID number — not your passport number or application reference number. Have your ID number ready before visiting the page.
Method 2 — Check by SMS
Send the letter P followed by a space and your ID number to 32552.
Example: P 8001015009087
You will receive an SMS reply with your current passport application status. Standard SMS rates apply — charged by your network service provider.
This method provides a real-time update and is useful when the online portal is slow or experiencing downtime.
Method 3 — Call the DHA Hotline
Call 0800 60 11 90 and ask a consultant to check your passport application status.
This call is free from any South African phone. Have the following ready before calling:
- Your full name
- Your 13-digit South African ID number
- Your application reference number from your receipt
- The date and location of your biometric appointment
DHA contact centre hours: Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 16:00.
What Each Status Message Means
Your passport status will show one of the following messages. Each requires a different action.
| Status Message | Meaning | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Application received | Your application is captured and being processed | No action needed — wait for next update |
| At Government Printing Works | Your passport is being physically printed | No action needed — collection SMS coming soon |
| Ready for collection | Your passport is printed and waiting at your branch | Collect in person at the branch where you applied |
| Refer to office | There is an issue requiring an in-person DHA visit | Visit your nearest DHA office with all original documents |
| No record found | Your application was not captured in the system | Visit your nearest DHA office immediately with your receipt |
| Finalised | Your application process is complete | Check if collection SMS has been sent |
Status Shows “Ready for Collection” — What To Do Next
Go to the DHA office or bank branch where you submitted your biometrics and collect your passport in person.
Bring your South African Smart ID card or green ID book as proof of identity. You will not receive a separate collection appointment — you can collect during normal operating hours once the SMS or status confirms ready.
Third-party collection is strictly prohibited as per DHA Circular No. 1 of 2022. You must collect your passport in person. No exceptions.
Status Shows “Refer to Office” — What To Do Next
Visit your nearest DHA live capture office in person with all your original documents.
“Refer to office” means there is a specific issue with your application that cannot be resolved remotely. Common reasons include:
- A discrepancy between your application and the National Population Register
- A missing document that was not detected at submission
- A fingerprint or photo quality issue flagged during processing
- A citizenship status query requiring verification
Bring the following to your visit:
- South African Smart ID card or green ID book
- Your original application receipt
- Your birth certificate
- Any supporting documents relevant to your application
Ask the DHA official to document the specific reason for the referral in writing before you leave the office.
Status Shows “No Record Found” — What To Do Next
Visit your nearest DHA office immediately with your original application receipt as proof that you applied.
“No record found” means your application was not captured in the DHA system at the time of submission. This can occur due to a system error at the office or bank branch where you applied.
Your receipt is critical — it is your proof that the application was submitted. Do not visit without it. The DHA official will use your receipt to locate or re-capture your application.
If you applied at a bank branch, contact the bank’s Home Affairs service desk first to confirm whether the application was transmitted to the DHA system correctly.
Status Has Not Changed in Weeks — What To Do
Status updates on the DHA portal can lag behind actual production progress.
Try the SMS method first — send P followed by your ID number to 32552 — as SMS responses are often more current than the online portal.
If both the portal and SMS show no change after 30 working days from your biometric appointment, follow the full escalation process.
Full escalation guide: SA Passport Taking Too Long — What To Do
Checking Status for Applications Made Abroad
South Africans who applied at a VFS Global centre can track their application through their VFS Global account.
Log in with the email address and password used during registration. Navigate to My Applications to view your current status.
For applications submitted at South African embassies or consulates, email hacc@dha.gov.za with your full name, ID number, application reference number, and the name of the mission where you applied.
Official Contact Details
| Channel | Detail |
|---|---|
| Online status check | www.dha.gov.za/status |
| SMS status check | P + space + ID number to 32552 |
| Toll-free hotline | 0800 60 11 90 |
| hacc@dha.gov.za | |
| VFS Global tracking | vfsglobal.com |
| eHomeAffairs portal | ehome.dha.gov.za |
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 do I check my SA passport application status? Go to www.dha.gov.za/status and enter your 13-digit South African ID number. Alternatively send P followed by a space and your ID number to 32552, or call 0800 60 11 90.
What does “refer to office” mean on my passport status? It means there is an issue with your application that requires an in-person visit to a DHA office. Your application will not progress until you visit. Bring all original documents including your ID, birth certificate, and application receipt.
What does “no record found” mean on my passport status? Your application was not captured in the DHA system. Visit your nearest DHA office immediately with your original application receipt as proof of submission. This is most commonly caused by a system error at the time of application.
I have not received an SMS but my status shows ready for collection. Can I collect? Yes. The status portal is the authoritative source. If your status shows ready for collection, go to the branch where you submitted your biometrics and collect your passport. The SMS notification sometimes lags behind the portal update.
Can I check my passport status without my ID number? No. Your 13-digit South African ID number is required for all three status check methods — online, SMS, and phone. Your application reference number and passport number are not used for status checks.
My status has shown “application received” for over 6 weeks. Is this normal? No. After 30 working days with no status change, escalate. Call 0800 60 11 90 first, then send a formal written complaint to hacc@dha.gov.za if the hotline does not resolve your query. Full escalation steps are in the taking too long guide.
Can someone else check my passport status on my behalf? Yes. Anyone with your 13-digit South African ID number can check the status online or via SMS. The online and SMS status check systems do not require a password or personal verification — they return results based on ID number only.
How do I check my passport status if I applied at a bank branch? The same process applies. Use www.dha.gov.za/status, the SMS service, or the DHA hotline. Bank branches do not have a separate status tracking system — all applications feed into the DHA system regardless of where biometrics were submitted.
My passport status shows finalised but I have not received an SMS. What does finalised mean? Finalised means the application process is complete. Check whether your status also shows ready for collection. If it does, go to your collection branch with your ID. If finalised shows but ready for collection does not, call 0800 60 11 90 to confirm the collection status.
I applied abroad at a VFS Global centre. How do I check my status? Log into your VFS Global account at vfsglobal.com using the email and password used during registration. Navigate to My Applications to view your current status. You can also email hacc@dha.gov.za with your application reference number for a DHA-side update.