Applying for a South African ID in Germany If you’re a South African citizen aged 16 or older and currently living in Germany, you can apply for your ID through the South African Embassy in Berlin or the Consulate-General in Munich. This includes first-time applicants, those replacing lost or damaged IDs, citizens updating personal details, or women changing surnames after marriage. Green ID BOok When you apply at the South African Embassy or Consulate, you will be issued with a green ID Book Smart ID Card When you apply in South Africa you will be issued with a smart ID card Attention A person, who has previously been issued with a smart card ID may not be issued with a green bar-coded identity book afterwards. The Embassy therefore strongly urge all applicants to apply for a smart card ID during their next trip to South Africa instead of applying for the green bar-coded identity book at a South African mission abroad – SA Embassy Berlin Where to apply When you apply for your new South African passport in Germany, you have to apply at either the South African Embassy in Berlin or the Consulate in Munich, depending on where you live. The Embassy has taken great care to document all the relevant information, that can be downloaded from their website. After submitting your application, the documents are sent to South Africa for processing. The embassy or consulate cannot influence the processing time. Please remember that appointment openings fill up very quickly, and your application appointment can be a month or two after you send an appointment request. Booking your appointment All South African citizens/applicants requiring civic services, and who reside in Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thüringen shall approach the South African Embassy in Berlin: Tiergartenstr. 18, 10785 BerlinAll South African citizens/applicants requiring civic services, and who reside in Bayern and Baden-Wuerttemberg shall approach the South African Consulate-General in Munich: Sendlinger-Tor-Platz 5, 80336 Munich To schedule an appointment at the Munich Consulate, please send an email with the information below to: Munich.CivicApp@dirco.gov.za To schedule an appointment at the Embassy in Berlin, please send an email with the information below to berlin.consular@dirco.gov.za Email Format Subject line of email: Appointment request Full name of the applicant Applicant’s date and place of birth South African 13-digit identity number, if applicable/available Contact details (Address + mobile phone number) Application type e.g. passport TIP! 📂 Check Your Spam Folder: Some responses may end up in spam, so be sure to check there before resending your request. The embassy will email you to confirm receipt of your request for an appointment. They will then manually schedule an appointment and send you a second email with your appointment date. Checklist of what documentation you need A complete list of what is needed for the application can be found on the South African Embassy Website, under the Identity Document Section Frequently asked Questions These are the most common questions and practical answers gathered from our vibrant South Africans in Germany WhatsApp group. These FAQs are based on real experiences, shared wisdom, and guidance from people who’ve navigated the maze of embassy applications. We’ve also had input from knowledgeable folks familiar with official processes, so while it’s not legal advice, it’s as close to the inside scoop as you’ll get without standing in the queue yourself.Most information is also available on the documentation provided by the Embassy Do both parents need to accompany a minor when applying for a South African ID document As a rule, both parents or legal guardians must be present when a minor applies for a South African ID.However, there are exceptions depending on individual circumstances. It’s best to contact the embassy or consulate directly to clarify your specific situation and ensure you have the correct documentation. Do I need to collect my ID document in person, or will it be mailed to me? Once your newly issued South African ID document arrives at the mission where you applied, it will either be mailed to you using the self-addressed envelope you provided during the application, or you’ll be notified to collect it in person. Make sure your contact details and return envelope are accurate to avoid delays. Will I be issued with an ID Card or ID Book When applying in Germany, you will be issued with an ID Book, see the section at the top op this page. How long does the process take After your application is sent to the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria, it may take up to 6 months for it to be finalised and for your ID document to reach the embassy or consulate where you applied. Please note: The South African mission abroad does not provide status updates during this processing period. If you’d like to check on the progress of your application, you can contact the Department of Home Affairs Contact Centre directly at hacc@dha.gov.za. Can I apply for a passport at the same time as my first South African ID Yes, you absolutely can! There’s no need to wait—applications for your first ID and passport can be submitted together at the embassy or consulate. It’s a smart move to get both sorted in one go. Can someone collect my ID on my behalf No, you can choose to receive your documents by post or collect at your convenience (for which you will need an appointment) Stolen or lost Documents When your South African Identity document is stolen or lost, you must report it to the police and attach the police report detailing the loss or theft to your application. The Police report does not need to be translated into English. Updates on your application process If you’re applying for a South African passport in Germany, it’s important to note that the embassy cannot track the progress of your application until they receive the diplomatic bag from Home Affairs in South Africa. This means they are unable to provide updates
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