How to Renew South African Passport in Australia: A Step-By-Step Guide

If you’re one of Australia’s 162,000 South African (SA) nationals, you can renew your existing valid tourist passport by mailing all the required documents to the South African High Commission. Passport renewals must be done 6 (six) to 12 (twelve) months before the expiration date of the current passport (or sooner if no blank visa pages remain). “How to renew a South African passport in Australia,” you ask? Our comprehensive guide has everything you need to get it done- conveniently displayed in an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide. 

Important! Passport applications currently take 6 (six) to 12 (twelve) months to be finalized. As such, refrain from making firm travel plans until you have your new passport.

South African passport renewal in Australia–pre-application documents

Adult SA passport renewals require the applicant (ages 16 and above) to possess a South African ID book or smartCard ID card. Either document is necessary for the passport application process to commence. SmartCard IDs can only be issued within South Africa. SA citizens, applying for passports overseas, can obtain a green ID book from a South African consulate or mission in their country of residence.  

Additionally, all adult applications require form DHA-9 (fingerprints) to be submitted with their SA passport application. This form is only available upon request by sending a cover letter (containing the applicant’s full name and South African ID number) requesting the form in a self-addressed envelope (A4 size) with prepaid postage to:

The South African High Commission
State Circle 
Yarralumla
Canberra 
2600

Looking for more tips for your passport application? Look no further:

How to renew a South African passport from Australia—adults

As mentioned in the section above, adult South African citizens (ages 16 and above) must possess a green ID book or smartCard ID card and fingerprint form DHA-9 before applying for passport renewal. Once these documents are in your possession, follow the step-by-step guide below to renew your SA passport:

1. Print Form BI-73 (passport application form) and fill it in using black ink only. Section B of the application form must be certified at your local police station in Australia. Make sure the left thumbprint is placed in the designated area and the form is signed.
2. Print Form BI-529 (determination of citizenship status) and complete all relevant sections in black ink only. To prevent rejection of the form, section ‘E’ must be signed, and questions 9 (nine) and 10 (ten) must be answered. Questions that are non-applicable to the applicant’s situation can be marked as ‘N/A.’ 
3. Complete Form DHA-9 by having your fingerprints taken at a local police station in Australia; local police cards and electronic fingerprints are not accepted.
4. Print and fill in Form DI-47 if your passport was lost or stolen. This form requires a stamp and signature from your local police station in Australia.  
5. Include a certified copy of your old/current passport, identity document, or birth certificate.
6. A certified copy of foreign citizenship certificate(s) and dual citizenship certificate(s) must also be included with the application (if applicable)
7. Provide a certified copy of your Naturalization Certificate (if applicable).
8. For applicants ages 17 (seventeen) and under, the following additional documents must be included with the passport application: 
   
   – child’s birth certificate (certified copy of unabridged certificate);
   – certified copies of both parents’ or legal guardians’ current passports;
   – contact phone numbers for both parents or guardians;
   – certified copy of death certificate (if applicable);
   – certified copy of court order (if applicable);
   – certified copy of marriage certificate (if applicable);
   – consent letter from parents/guardians indicating their permission for the passport application to proceed. 
9. Include 4 (four) 35mm x 45mm passport photographs adhering to South African regulations with the passport application but do not attach them to the form; a local police officer must endorse 1 (one) passport photograph. To do so, the officer must write the applicant’s name and sign the back of the photo. 
10. Make out ONE Bank Cheque or Postal Money Order (personal cheques or credit cards are not accepted and will result in application rejection) to the “South African High Commission” for the total amount of desired passports (e.g., if applying as a family): 
    
    – Tourist Passport; this is the regular adult passport with 10-year validity (32 pages) – A$ 44.00
    – Maxi Passport; regular adult passport with 10-year validity and additional pages (48 pages) – A$ 66.00
    – Child Passport; 5-year validity (32 pages; only available for children ages 15 and under) – A$ 44.00
11. Include ONE self-addressed envelope (Express or Registered Post) with prepaid postage.
12. Mail all of the above documents and the self-addressed envelope to the following address: 
    
    The South African High Commission
    State Circle 
    Yarralumla
    ACT 
    2600

Important information! Paragraph D of Form BI-73 is no longer accurate. DO NOT include your old/current passport(s) with your application. 

Renew South African passport in Australia—children

Renewing a child passport, for South African citizens ages 15 (fifteen) and under, follows the same procedure as described in this blog post’s adult section. However, applications for child passport renewals do not require the candidate to possess a South African ID book or smartCard. 

Additionally, child passport applications do not require submitting Form DHA-9 or taking the child’s fingerprints at a local police station. 

Passport Photo Online–guaranteed acceptance by authorities

Given the 6 (six) to 12 (twelve) month processing time, trust Passport Photo Online to ensure South African passport agents accept your passport photos. You’ll also want to get your photos as quickly as possible without traveling too far to find a studio or photo booth. 

Using our handy application, you only need your smartphone to snap your passport photos. We’ll then make all the necessary adjustments and send your passport photos to any address in Australia. No need to make appointments or even leave the house. Use our app and avoid having your application rejected due to non-compliant photos. We guarantee 100% compliance or double your money back.

How to renew South African passport from Australia: FAQ

Read the following frequently asked questions to find answers related to this topic.

South African passport renewal–summary

South African passport renewals can only be done by mail in Australia. Adult applicants (ages 16 and above) must have a South African ID book or smartCard ID to lodge a SA passport application. 

Before commencing the passport renewal, they must also obtain a specific fingerprint form (DHA-9) by mailing a request to the High Commission in Canberra. Once all the necessary documents have been submitted via post, applicants can expect their new passports in 6 (six) to 12 (twelve) months. 

To start the passport renewal process, you’ll need high-quality passport photos that you’re certain will be accepted by the relevant authorities. Trust Passport Photo Online to provide you with these photos. We guarantee compliance or double your money back.  

Simon Wojtyczka

Simon Wojtyczka is a writer with experience living and working in 7 countries, each adding depth to his work. Holding a Master’s in Applied Linguistics, he has a profound grasp of language and its intricate ties to culture.