Last checked: 26 Oct 2026

Renew a South African passport or ID in the USA

A plain-language guide for South Africans living in the United States. Since late 2025 and January 2026, Department of Home Affairs passport, first identity document and birth registration applications are taken by appointment at 7 VFS Global centres in the United States [source, source]. This guide lists every centre with days and hours, what to bring, fees exactly as published, tracking, and what to do about a lost passport or urgent travel.

Book an appointment online. The Department of Home Affairs lists an online booking link for every United States centre [source]. VFS Global tells you to book an appointment [source]. The New York consulate says you may use the centre that is most convenient [source]. Book only through services.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/zap.

VFS Global centres in the USA

Centre	Address	Days	Hours	Booking and sources
Atlanta	100 Peachtree Street, Suite 225, 2nd Floor, Atlanta, GA 30303	Saturday only	9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (submission and collection)	Book on VFS [source]
Chicago	142 E Ontario Street, Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60611	Monday to Friday (except public holidays)	9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (submission and collection)	Book on VFS [source]
Houston	1001 Texas Ave, Floor 10, Suite 1020, Houston, TX 77002	Monday to Friday (except public holidays)	9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (submission and collection)	Book on VFS [source]
Los Angeles	5757 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 504, Los Angeles, CA 90036	Monday to Friday (except public holidays)	9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (submission and collection)	Book on VFS [source]
Miami (Coral Gables)	2655 S Le Jeune Road, PH-1A, Coral Gables, FL 33134	Saturday only	9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (submission and collection)	Book on VFS [source]
New York	128 E 32nd Street, Floor 2, New York, NY 10016	Monday to Friday (except public holidays)	9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (submission and collection)	Book on VFS [source]
Washington, DC	1025 Vermont Ave NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005	Monday to Friday (except public holidays)	9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (submission and collection) Note The Department of Home Affairs lists this centre. The New York consulate says VFS Global services launched in New York and Washington, DC. The Embassy citizens services page lists Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York, and does not mention Washington, DC.	Book on VFS [source]

Saturday only: Atlanta and Miami. Weekdays: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC [source].

Start here

What to bring: forms DHA-73, DHA-529 and DHA-9, originals plus copies, four photos.
Fees: adult or child renewal $127 in total at VFS ($67 consular + $60 VFS), card only [source].
Smart ID: first ID and re-issue options and what is still unclear.
Lost passport and emergency travel certificate.
Citizenship: the 6 May 2025 Constitutional Court ruling, who is excluded, and the DHA online status check.
Tracking your application.
Embassy and consulates: areas, hours and emergency numbers.
FAQ.

Conflicts between official sources (as of 26 Oct 2026)

Processing time. VFS Global says six to eight weeks [source]. The Embassy says a minimum of 6 to 8 months for applications lodged with it [source, source].
Smart identity card re-issue at VFS Global. VFS Global lists "Smart ID - Reissue" at $12 consular plus a $60 service fee, and it publishes a re-issue checklist [source]. The Department of Home Affairs says the centres initially offer passport applications and renewals, and birth certificate applications [source]. The New York and Los Angeles consulate notices list a first identity document. They do not list a Smart identity card re-issue [source, source]. Check the VFS Global booking categories before you book.
Washington, DC centre. The Department of Home Affairs lists a centre in Washington, DC [source]. The New York consulate says VFS Global services launched in New York and Washington, DC [source]. The Embassy page lists only Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York [source].
Applying at the Embassy. The Embassy page says "No appointment required" for applications Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The same page says no mailed-in passport, identity document or birth registration applications will be processed, and it points those applications to VFS Global [source].
How far ahead to apply. VFS Global says book at least 18 months before your passport expires [source]. The Embassy says 12 months [source].

Not eligible at VFS centres: The Department of Home Affairs says applicants aged 16 and above (including those 15 turning 16 that year) must first get an identity document before a passport, and citizens born abroad whose birth is not yet registered cannot be served at the centres. They must go to a South African mission [source]. The VFS Global service list does not include the Emergency Travel Certificate [source].

Need to know which South African banks let you apply for a Smart ID in South Africa? See the separate SA Smart ID bank branch finder.