Last checked: 21 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, DHA passport, first ID and birth registration applications are taken by appointment at 7 VFS Global centres in the USA [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.
Appointments only at VFS. No walk-ins. The SA Chamber USA summary of the official DHA/DIRCO webinar says there are no walk-in appointments at VFS centres and that all appointments must be made online on the VFS website [source]. Any VFS centre can be used regardless of the state you live in [source, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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 Listed by DHA and SA Chamber. The SA Embassy SA Citizens Services page lists VFS centres in Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York and does not mention Washington DC. | Book on VFS [source, source] |
Saturday only: Atlanta and Miami. Weekdays: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and Washington DC [source, 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 21 Oct 2026)
- Processing time. VFS says six to eight weeks [source]; the SA Chamber webinar summary says 8 to 12 weeks from receipt by DHA in Pretoria and, elsewhere on the same page, up to 2 to 3 months [source]; the Embassy says a minimum of 6 to 8 months for applications lodged with it [source, source].
- Smart ID re-issue at VFS. The VFS fee table lists "Smart ID - Reissue" ($12 + $60) [source], but DHA says the centres initially offer passports and birth certificates [source], and the SA Chamber summary lists the Smart ID card as Phase 2 with the date "to be announced later" and First ID as "not re-issue" [source]. Check the VFS booking categories before you book.
- Washington DC centre. DHA and SA Chamber list a VFS centre in Washington DC [source, 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., but also that no mailed-in passport, ID or birth registration applications will be processed and points applicants to VFS [source].
- How far ahead to apply. VFS says book at least 18 months before your passport expires [source]; the Embassy says 12 months [source].
Not eligible at VFS centres: DHA 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]. VFS services do 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.