ElyForma
Home Affairs: Passports, IDs, VisasPassportsHome Affairs OfficesSouth AfricaPassport OfficesOffice Locations

Home Affairs Branches With Passport Offices

Complete guide to Home Affairs branches that offer passport services in South Africa. Learn which offices process passports, their locations, services offered, and how to find the nearest passport office.

Home Affairs Expert
January 21, 2026
12 min read
Home Affairs Branches With Passport Offices

Home Affairs Branches With Passport Offices

Not all Home Affairs offices process passport applications. Understanding which branches offer passport services helps you plan your application and find the nearest office that can assist with passport applications, renewals, and related services. This comprehensive 2026 guide covers Home Affairs branches with passport offices, their locations, and how to find the nearest passport service location.

Major Passport Offices

Provincial Capitals

Major Cities with Passport Offices:

  • Johannesburg: Multiple offices offer passport services
  • Cape Town: Several offices process passports
  • Durban: Passport services available
  • Pretoria: Multiple passport offices
  • Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha): Passport services available
  • Bloemfontein: Passport office available
  • Polokwane: Passport services available
  • Nelspruit (Mbombela): Passport office available
  • Kimberley: Passport services available

Provincial Coverage:

  • All provinces have passport offices
  • Major cities typically have multiple offices
  • Smaller cities may have one office
  • Check availability before visiting

Office Types

Full-Service Offices:

  • Complete passport services
  • Application and renewal
  • Biometric capture
  • Collection services
  • All passport types

Limited-Service Offices:

  • May have restrictions
  • Limited appointment availability
  • May not offer all services
  • Check services before visiting
  • May refer to larger offices

Finding Passport Offices

Online Resources

Home Affairs Website:

  • Visit www.dha.gov.za
  • Office locator tool
  • Search by location
  • Filter by services
  • View office details

Office Locator Features:

  • Search by city/town
  • Search by province
  • Filter by services offered
  • View office hours
  • Get contact information

Office Information

What to Check:

  • Services offered
  • Office hours
  • Appointment availability
  • Contact details
  • Location and directions

Before Visiting:

  • Verify passport services
  • Check office hours
  • Book appointment (if possible)
  • Prepare documents
  • Plan your visit

Major Passport Office Locations

Gauteng Province

Johannesburg:

  • Multiple passport offices
  • Various locations
  • High capacity
  • Online booking available
  • Express service (some offices)

Pretoria:

  • Multiple passport offices
  • Government offices
  • High capacity
  • Various services
  • Good facilities

Other Gauteng Offices:

  • Midrand
  • Randburg
  • Krugersdorp
  • Vereeniging
  • Tembisa

Western Cape Province

Cape Town:

  • Multiple passport offices
  • Various locations
  • High capacity
  • Good facilities
  • Online booking available

Other Western Cape Offices:

  • Stellenbosch
  • George
  • Various smaller offices

KwaZulu-Natal Province

Durban:

  • Multiple passport offices
  • Various locations
  • High capacity
  • Good facilities
  • Online booking available

Pietermaritzburg:

  • Passport office available
  • Provincial capital
  • Good facilities
  • Various services

Eastern Cape Province

Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha):

  • Passport office available
  • Major city office
  • Good facilities
  • Various services

East London:

  • Passport office available
  • Major city office
  • Good facilities
  • Various services

Other Provinces

Free State:

  • Bloemfontein (provincial capital)
  • Various smaller offices

Limpopo:

  • Polokwane (provincial capital)
  • Various smaller offices

Mpumalanga:

  • Nelspruit/Mbombela (provincial capital)
  • Various smaller offices

Northern Cape:

  • Kimberley (provincial capital)
  • Various smaller offices

North West:

  • Rustenburg
  • Various smaller offices

Services Offered

Passport Services

Application Services:

  • New passport applications
  • Passport renewals
  • Passport replacements
  • Temporary passports
  • Emergency travel certificates

Processing Services:

  • Biometric capture
  • Document verification
  • Application processing
  • Status inquiries
  • Collection services

Additional Services

Related Services:

  • Smart ID applications
  • Birth certificates
  • Marriage certificates
  • Death certificates
  • Other Home Affairs services

Office Capacity and Wait Times

High-Capacity Offices

Major Offices:

  • Handle more applications
  • More appointment slots
  • Better facilities
  • More staff
  • Faster processing (sometimes)

Advantages:

  • More availability
  • Better resources
  • More services
  • Better facilities
  • Online booking

Smaller Offices

Regional Offices:

  • May have limited capacity
  • Fewer appointment slots
  • May have longer wait times
  • May refer to larger offices
  • Check availability

Considerations:

  • May need to travel further
  • May have limited services
  • Check before visiting
  • May have restrictions
  • Plan accordingly

Choosing the Right Office

Factors to Consider

Location:

  • Distance from your location
  • Travel convenience
  • Parking availability
  • Public transport access
  • Office accessibility

Services:

  • Services offered
  • Appointment availability
  • Processing capacity
  • Express service (if needed)
  • Office reputation

Timing:

  • Office hours
  • Appointment availability
  • Wait times
  • Processing times
  • Peak periods

Office Hours and Availability

Standard Hours

Typical Office Hours:

  • Monday to Thursday: 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Friday: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Saturday: Closed (most offices)
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Public Holidays: Closed

Variations:

  • Hours may vary by office
  • Some offices have extended hours
  • Check specific office hours
  • Verify before visiting
  • Plan accordingly

Appointment Availability

Booking Options:

  • Online booking (preferred)
  • Walk-in (if accepted)
  • Phone booking (if available)
  • Limited walk-in slots
  • Book in advance

Tips for Visiting Passport Offices

Preparation

Before Visiting:

  • Book appointment (if possible)
  • Prepare all documents
  • Pay application fee
  • Get passport photos
  • Arrive early

What to Bring:

  • Valid ID document
  • Previous passport (if renewing)
  • Passport photos
  • Application form (if completed)
  • Proof of payment
  • Additional documents (if needed)

During Visit

At the Office:

  • Arrive on time (or early)
  • Have documents ready
  • Be patient
  • Follow instructions
  • Ask questions if unclear

Process:

  • Document verification
  • Biometric capture
  • Application submission
  • Receipt issued
  • Reference number provided

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Home Affairs offices process passports?

Major Home Affairs offices in provincial capitals and large cities typically process passports. These include offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Polokwane, Nelspruit, and Kimberley. Not all offices process passports, so check before visiting.

How do I find the nearest passport office?

Visit the Home Affairs website (www.dha.gov.za) and use the office locator tool to search for offices by location. Filter by "passport services" to find offices that process passports. You can also call the Home Affairs call centre (0800 60 11 90) for assistance.

Can I apply for a passport at any Home Affairs office?

No, not all Home Affairs offices process passport applications. Only designated passport offices offer this service. Check the Home Affairs website or call ahead to verify which offices in your area process passports before visiting.

Do all passport offices offer the same services?

Major passport offices typically offer full services (application, renewal, collection), while smaller offices may have limited services or may refer you to larger offices for certain services. Check with the specific office about services offered before visiting.

How do I know if an office processes passports?

Check the Home Affairs website office locator, which allows you to filter offices by services offered. You can also call the office directly or the Home Affairs call centre to verify if an office processes passports.

Are there passport offices in smaller towns?

Some smaller towns have Home Affairs offices, but not all process passports. You may need to travel to a larger city or provincial capital to access passport services. Check the office locator or call ahead to verify services in smaller towns.

Can I book an appointment at any passport office?

Most major passport offices offer online appointment booking, while smaller offices may only accept walk-ins or have limited appointment availability. Check the Home Affairs website for online booking options at your preferred office.

What is the difference between a passport office and a regular Home Affairs office?

Passport offices are designated Home Affairs offices that have the equipment and staff to process passport applications, including biometric capture. Regular Home Affairs offices may only handle other services like ID applications, birth certificates, etc.

Do passport offices have longer wait times?

Wait times vary by office, time of day, and time of year. Major passport offices may have queues, but booking an appointment online helps reduce wait times. Smaller offices may have shorter queues but may have limited capacity.

Can I collect my passport from a different office than where I applied?

Generally, you must collect your passport from the same office where you applied. However, some major offices may allow collection from other offices in special circumstances. Check with Home Affairs about collection options when you apply.

Conclusion

Home Affairs branches with passport offices are located in major cities and provincial capitals throughout South Africa. Major offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, and other large cities offer full passport services. Use the Home Affairs website office locator to find the nearest passport office, check services offered, and book appointments online when possible. Not all Home Affairs offices process passports, so verify services before visiting.

For more information about specific Home Affairs office locations, hours, and services, explore our city-specific Home Affairs office guides.


Related Articles:

Official Resources:

Share:
About the Author
Home Affairs Expert

Home Affairs Expert

Specializing in South African Home Affairs services, passports, IDs, and visa applications with extensive knowledge of office locations and services.