This page explains how to check whether your South African passport is ready for collection, now that the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has shut down the 32552 SMS check and its online status portal is down. It covers DHA’s automatic SMS, bank notifications, the Contact Centre, and what each status means.
In summary
- Not working: the SMS check to 32552 (discontinued) and dha.gov.za/status (down).
- Automatic updates: DHA sends an SMS at each stage, including when your passport is ready.
- Applied at a bank? The bank may send its own separate message. It is not linked to DHA’s SMS.
- Check sooner: call 0800 60 11 90, or log in to eHomeAffairs if you applied there.
- Collect: in person, at the office or branch where you applied. No collection booking needed.
How to check if your passport is ready for collection
Usually you do not need to check: DHA sends an automated SMS when your passport reaches the office or branch where you applied. If you applied at a bank branch, the bank may also send its own message through its app, SMS, WhatsApp or email. These come from two separate systems that are not linked, so you may receive one, both or neither. Either one is enough to go and collect.
If you want to check before a message arrives:
- Call the DHA Contact Centre on 0800 60 11 90 with your ID number, receipt reference number and the date of your biometrics appointment.
- Log in to eHomeAffairs if you applied there; your application may show its status.
- If you applied abroad, check your service centre account, or email hacc@dha.gov.za with your details and the mission where you applied.
What changed
SMS status check (P plus ID number to 32552): discontinued. DHA confirmed to MyBroadband that the line was shut down after fraudsters used it for phishing. There is no replacement number.
Online status portal (dha.gov.za/status): down. It has not worked since at least March 2026.
What replaces both: DHA now sends automated SMS updates at each stage:
- Application received
- Payment confirmed
- Biometric capture completed
- At Government Printing Works
- Ready for collection
These go to the cellphone number captured at your application. If none arrive, that is the problem to solve first.
If you are not getting updates
Step 1: check your cellphone number. A wrong or outdated number on the application is the most common reason for missing updates.
Step 2: call the DHA Contact Centre. Call 0800 60 11 90 (toll-free) with your full name, ID number, receipt reference number and the date and place of your biometrics appointment. A consultant can read your status from the system.
Step 3: check eHomeAffairs if you applied there.
Step 4: if you applied abroad, check your service centre account or email hacc@dha.gov.za.
What each status means
| Status | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Application received | Captured and being processed | Wait for the next update |
| At Government Printing Works | Being printed | Wait for the collection update |
| Ready for collection | Printed and waiting at your branch | Collect in person where you applied |
| Refer to office | An issue needs an in-person visit | Go to a DHA office with your original documents |
| No record found | The application was not captured | Go to a DHA office with your receipt |
| Finalised | The process is complete | Check that a collection notification followed |
Ready for collection: what to do
Go to the DHA office or bank branch where you gave your biometrics and collect in person, with your Smart ID or green ID book. There is no separate collection booking; collect during normal hours once you are told it is ready. Nobody else can collect for you.
Green ID book holders: The book is still accepted for this, but it will stop being valid as ID on 31 March 2028. See our green ID book deadline guide.
“Refer to office”
A specific issue is blocking your application that cannot be resolved remotely. Common causes:
- A mismatch with the National Population Register
- A missing document not caught at submission
- A fingerprint or photo quality problem
- A citizenship query
Bring your ID, original receipt, birth certificate and any supporting documents, and ask the official to write down the reason before you leave.
“No record found”
Go to a DHA office with your original receipt as proof you applied. This usually means a system error where you applied. If you applied at a bank, ask the bank’s Home Affairs desk to confirm the application was sent.
No update in weeks
Call the Contact Centre first. If there has been no change 30 working days after your biometrics appointment, follow the escalation steps in passport taking too long.
What you cannot do
- You cannot check your status by SMS. 32552 is discontinued.
- You cannot use dha.gov.za/status. It is down.
- You cannot send someone else to collect your passport.
Official contact details
| Channel | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Automated DHA SMS | Active | Sent at each processing stage |
| Bank notification (bank applications) | Active | The bank’s app, SMS, WhatsApp or email |
| DHA Contact Centre | Active, main method | 0800 60 11 90 |
| eHomeAffairs | Active for online applications | ehome.dha.gov.za/ehomeaffairsv3 |
| Service centre tracking | Active for applications abroad | Your service centre account |
| Active | hacc@dha.gov.za | |
| SMS status check (32552) | Discontinued | Shut down after phishing abuse |
| Online status portal | Down | dha.gov.za/status |
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if my passport is ready for collection?
Home Affairs sends an automated SMS when your passport reaches the office or branch where you applied. If you applied at a bank, the bank may also send its own message. To check sooner, call the DHA Contact Centre on 0800 60 11 90, or log in to eHomeAffairs if you applied there.
How do I check my passport application status now?
Wait for DHA’s automated SMS updates, call 0800 60 11 90, or check eHomeAffairs if you applied online. The SMS check to 32552 has been discontinued, and the online portal at dha.gov.za/status is down.
Why isn’t the SMS to 32552 working?
DHA shut the line down after fraudsters used it for phishing. There is no workaround or replacement number.
Is the online status portal working again?
No. dha.gov.za/status is still down. Call the DHA Contact Centre instead.
I haven’t received any SMS updates. What’s wrong?
Check that the cellphone number on your application is correct; a wrong number is the most common cause. If it is correct and you have heard nothing, call the Contact Centre.
I applied at a bank. Why did I get a message from the bank but not from DHA?
The bank and DHA send messages from separate systems that are not linked. You may receive one, both or neither. Either one is enough to go and collect.
What does refer to office mean on my passport status?
Something about your application needs an in-person visit. Go to a DHA office with your ID, birth certificate, receipt and any supporting documents, and ask for the reason in writing.
What does no record found mean?
Your application may not have been captured. Go to a DHA office with your receipt. If you applied at a bank, check with the bank that the application was sent.
My status hasn’t changed in over 6 weeks. Is that normal?
No. After 30 working days with no change, call 0800 60 11 90, then email hacc@dha.gov.za if it is not resolved.
Can someone else collect my passport?
No. You must collect it in person, because your identity is verified at collection.