If your South African passport is lost or stolen, report it to the South African Police Service (SAPS) first, then protect your identity, then apply to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for a replacement. This page covers each step inside South Africa and abroad, the documents, and what the replacement costs.
In summary
- First: report to SAPS and get a case number and affidavit stating the loss was not your negligence.
- Then: alert your bank and register with the South African Fraud Prevention Service (free, 0860 101 248).
- Replace: at a DHA live capture office with Forms DHA-73 and DHA-335 and your SAPS affidavit.
- Fee: double the normal fee, unless the loss was not your negligence. Usually R600 or R1,200 for a standard passport; the office decides.
- Abroad: local police report, then the nearest South African mission. An Emergency Travel Certificate gets you home.
Inside South Africa: step by step
Step 1: report to SAPS immediately
Go to your nearest police station and report the loss or theft. You will get a case number and an affidavit.
The wording of the affidavit matters. If the loss was not your fault, for example a theft, make sure the affidavit says so. Home Affairs uses it to decide whether you pay the normal fee or the double fee.
Step 2: protect your identity
| Organisation | Action | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Your bank | Ask for a flag on your account for suspicious activity | Your bank’s fraud line |
| South African Fraud Prevention Service | Register the lost passport, free of charge | 0860 101 248 |
| Credit bureaus | Ask for a fraud alert on your credit profile | TransUnion 0861 482 482, Experian 0861 105 665 |
A lost passport together with your ID number gives a fraudster a lot of access. Do not skip these steps.
Step 3: apply for a replacement at a DHA office
Go in person to a DHA live capture office with:
- A completed Form DHA-73, in black ink and block letters
- A completed Form DHA-335 (loss of passport report), available at the office
- Your SAPS affidavit and case number
- Your Smart ID card or green ID book
- A copy of the lost passport’s photo page, if you kept one (helpful, not required)
- The fee (see below)
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.
Your photo and fingerprints are captured digitally, so you do not need photos.
Step 4: wait for your replacement
A replacement follows the standard timeline: Home Affairs targets 13 working days; allow 2 to 4 weeks. Home Affairs sends its own automated SMS when it is ready; the 32552 SMS status line has been discontinued. You must collect in person at the office where you applied. See passport application status check.
Not sure what to take? Use our free Home Affairs checklist.
Abroad: step by step
Step 1: report to local police
Report the loss or theft to the police in the country where you are, and keep a copy of the police report.
Step 2: contact the nearest South African mission
If you have no valid passport and need to get home urgently, apply for an Emergency Travel Certificate. It is a single-journey document for returning to South Africa only. Missions usually ask for:
- The local police report
- Proof of citizenship, such as your Smart ID, driver’s licence, birth certificate or a copy of the lost passport
- Completed Forms DHA-73 and DHA-529 (determination of citizenship)
- Fingerprints on Form DHA-9, taken at the mission or a police station
- Colour passport photos to South African specifications (35 x 45 mm, white background); ask the mission how many
- A written explanation of your circumstances
See the emergency passport application guide.
Step 3: apply for a full replacement
You can apply for a full replacement at the mission, which takes at least 6 to 8 months, or once you are back in South Africa at a DHA office with your police report, Form DHA-335, Form DHA-73 and your ID. See passport application from abroad.
How much a replacement costs
Home Affairs’ tariff, updated July 2025, charges double the current fee for replacing a lost, stolen or damaged passport, unless the loss, theft or damage was not your negligence, in which case the normal fee may apply.
| Situation (standard 32-page passport) | Usual fee |
|---|---|
| Lost or stolen, SAPS affidavit shows no negligence | R600 (normal fee) |
| Lost or stolen through negligence, or no proof | R1,200 (double) |
| Damaged through negligence | R1,200 (double) |
One more rule can apply: Home Affairs charges R1,200 when the passport being replaced was still valid for six months or more. Most lost passports were still valid, so you may be charged R1,200 even with a clean affidavit. The office assesses your case, so confirm the fee before you pay. Applications made abroad cost more.
Affidavit wording to ask for
When you make your statement at SAPS, ask for wording like this:
I, [full name], ID number [13-digit ID number], declare under oath that my South African passport, number [passport number if known], was [lost/stolen] on or around [date] at [place]. The loss/theft occurred without negligence on my part. I report this loss/theft to apply for a replacement passport from the Department of Home Affairs.
This wording helps show non-negligence, but Home Affairs makes the final decision on the fee.
What you cannot do
- You cannot replace a lost or stolen passport fully online.
- You cannot travel on a passport you have reported lost, even if you find it.
- You cannot send someone else to collect your replacement.
- You cannot check your status by SMS. The 32552 line is discontinued.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace a lost or stolen passport?
Home Affairs’ tariff charges double the normal fee for a lost, stolen or damaged passport unless the loss was not your negligence, in which case the normal fee may apply. For a standard passport that usually means R600 with proof of non-negligence and R1,200 without. A lost passport that was still valid for six months or more may be charged R1,200 either way. The office decides, so confirm before paying.
Do I need a SAPS affidavit to replace a lost passport?
Yes. You need a SAPS affidavit and case number, plus a loss of passport report on Form DHA-335. The affidavit is also how you show the loss was not your negligence.
Can I replace a lost passport online or at a bank?
Apply in person at a DHA live capture office, where Form DHA-335 is issued. The online eHomeAffairs route is not set up for lost or stolen passports, so check with a bank branch before assuming it can help.
My passport was stolen abroad. What do I do?
Report it to the local police and get a police report, then contact the nearest South African embassy, high commission or consulate. If you need to get home urgently, apply for an Emergency Travel Certificate. Once home, apply for a full replacement.
Should I tell my bank about a lost passport?
Yes. Ask your bank to flag your account, and register the loss for free with the South African Fraud Prevention Service on 0860 101 248.
What is Form DHA-335?
The Loss of Passport Report form that Home Affairs requires when you replace a lost or stolen passport. It is not available online; get it at a DHA office.
Can someone use my lost passport to travel?
It can be misused until it is cancelled. Reporting it to SAPS creates a record, and applying for a replacement cancels the old passport in the Home Affairs system.
I found my passport after reporting it lost. Can I still use it?
No. Once it has been reported lost and a replacement application is under way, the original is cancelled. Travelling on it can lead to it being confiscated at the border.
How long does a replacement passport take?
The same as a standard passport: Home Affairs targets 13 working days; allow 2 to 4 weeks. You collect it in person at the office where you applied.
How do I check the status of my replacement passport?
Wait for Home Affairs’ automated SMS, or call 0800 60 11 90. The 32552 SMS status line has been discontinued.
Official contact details
| Channel | Status | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| DHA Contact Centre | Active | 0800 60 11 90 |
| DHA email | Active | hacc@dha.gov.za |
| Appointment booking (BABS) | Active | myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za |
| SA Fraud Prevention Service | Active | 0860 101 248 |
| Anti-corruption hotline | Active | 0800 701 701 |
| Passport status SMS (32552) | Discontinued | Shut down after phishing abuse |