Home Affairs Checklist: Documents and Fees
Choose what you need from Home Affairs to see what to bring, what it costs and where to go, so you only have to go once.
Fees are what Home Affairs charges; banks may add a convenience fee. Taking children abroad? See the travelling with children checklist.
A guide to help you plan, not official advice. Home Affairs makes the final decision. Figures last checked against official sources on .
How it works
Fees come from the Department of Home Affairs tariffs page (updated August 2026). Requirements come from its pages on identity documents, passports, birth certificates and bank branches.
The “apply by” date counts back the Home Affairs turnaround (13 working days for adults, 18 for children) plus 10 extra working days for delays and collection, skipping weekends and public holidays. Busy offices can take longer, so earlier is safer.
Figures last checked against official sources on .
Questions
How much is a Smart ID card?
Your first ID at 16 is free. Replacing a green ID book or a lost or damaged Smart ID costs R140, and swapping a green ID book is free if you’re 60 or older. A Temporary Identity Certificate costs R70. Banks may add their own fee.
How much is a passport and how long does it take?
R600 for an adult or child passport (R1 200 if your current one is still valid for six months or more, or for a 48-page maxi passport). Adult passports take about 13 working days and children’s about 18. Apply well before you travel.
Do both parents need to be there for a child’s passport?
Yes. Both parents and the child must go in person with their IDs. If one parent can’t make it, they consent in person at their nearest Home Affairs office: a consent letter and copy of an ID are no longer accepted. If a parent has died, take the death certificate.
Can I apply for an ID or passport at a bank?
Some bank branches can replace a Smart ID or swap a green ID book, and some offer passports. First IDs, children’s documents, late birth registration and name changes must be done at a Home Affairs office.
How do I avoid the queue?
Book a slot online on eHomeAffairs where your office offers it, go early in the day, and take every document on the list so you don’t have to come back.