SA Passport and ID Guide (USA)
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Last checked: 26 Oct 2026

FAQ: South African passports and ID in the USA

Can I walk in at a VFS centre?

Book an appointment online. The Department of Home Affairs lists an online booking link for every United States centre [source]. VFS Global tells applicants to book an appointment [source].

Do I have to use the centre for my state?

No. The New York consulate says you may submit at the centre most convenient to you [source].

Can I mail my renewal to the Embassy?

No. The Embassy says no mailed-in passport, ID or birth registration applications will be processed [source].

How do I pay at VFS?

Credit or debit card only [source].

How much is an adult renewal?

$127 at VFS: $67 consular fee plus $60 VFS service fee. MAXI is $193 [source].

How many photos?

Four colour photos, 35 x 45 mm, for passports and IDs at VFS [source].

My child is 15 and turns 16 this year. Can they renew a passport?

They must apply for a first ID first or together with the first adult passport; both parents and the child must attend [source, source].

I am travelling to South Africa in a few days and my passport is lost.

Contact the Embassy about an Emergency Travel Certificate. The Embassy form says a minimum of 7 business days [source]. The Department of Home Affairs says the usual time abroad is 3 to 5 working days [source]. VFS Global does not list the certificate as a service [source]. The Department of Home Affairs says proof of a passport application is not accepted for travel to South Africa [source].

I became a US citizen. Did I lose my South African citizenship?

The Constitutional Court declared the automatic-loss rule in section 6(1)(a) invalid from 6 October 1995, and DHA says people who lost citizenship under that rule are considered to have retained it. Voluntary renunciation, and loss before 6 October 1995, are excluded. Check your own record on the DHA portal. See citizenship [source, source].

When should I apply?

VFS recommends booking at least 18 months before expiry; the Embassy suggests 12 months [source, source].

Can I renew my Smart ID card at VFS?

Sources disagree. VFS Global lists a Smart identity card re-issue fee. The Department of Home Affairs and the consulate notices do not list that re-issue. See Smart ID.