
Real Experiences. Real Timelines. Real Insight.
Applying for a South African passport from Germany doesn’t always follow a straight line. Here, families share what actually happened — from first application to final collection — so you know what to expect.
These are real experiences shared by South Africans who have applied for passports or birth registration through VFS in Germany. Every journey is a little different, but together they give a clearer picture of what to expect.
Shared by Lindie 25/03/2026
| Application Type | Family (Adult and Child passports) |
| 🪪 Adult Passport | |
| Documents |
Passport Photos (4 each) Form BI-73 / DHA-73 Form BI-529 / DHA-529 South African ID Proof of residence (Germany) Current passport |
| 👶 Child Passport | |
| Parents SA Citizens | Yes |
| Child Registered | Yes |
| Family | Parents married |
| Documents |
Passport Photos (2 each) Form BI-73 / DHA-73 Form BI-529 / DHA-529 SA ID books/cards (parents) SA passports (parents) Marriage certificate Unabridged birth certificates (parents) Child birth certificate Proof of residence (Germany) |
| 🌍 General | |
| Appointment Duration | 10:00 – 12:50 |
| Notes |
Copies can be certified at VFS Fingerprints done with ink (parents only, not required for under 16) |
| Tips |
Do not staple documents (they separate into two bundles) Applicants 16+ must first apply for ID at DHA Berlin Wait for ID (via Einschreiben) before applying for passport at VFS |
| 💶 Cost | |
| Per Passport | €151.28 (incl. postage) |
| Total | €453.84 |
Shared by Tracy 28/03/2026
| Application Type | Child Passport |
| 👶 Child Passport | |
| Parents SA Citizens | No – one parent is a German citizen |
| Child Registered | Yes |
| Family | Parents married |
| Documents |
Passport Photos (4 each) Form BI-73 / DHA-73 Form BI-529 / DHA-529 South African passports (parents) Marriage certificate Unabridged birth certificates (parents) Child birth certificate Proof of residence (Germany) |
| Special Rules | International birth certificate accepted (Internationale Geburtsurkunde) |
| Additional Documents | Copy of Aufenthaltstitel |
| 📄 Birth Registration | |
| Child Age | 14 |
| Documents |
Foreign birth certificate (child) Foreign ID documents (child) Birth certificates (parents) Marriage certificate (parents) ID & passports (parents) Parent’s foreign citizenship certificate (if applicable) |
| Additional Documents | Copy of Aufenthaltstitel |
| 💶 Cost | |
| Total | €236.56 |
Shared by Deon 30/03/2026
| Application Type | Adult Passport |
| 🪪 Adult Passport | |
| Documents |
Passport Photos (4 each) Form BI-73 / DHA-73 Form BI-529 / DHA-529 South African ID South African birth certificate Proof of residence (Germany) Current passport |
| Additional Documents | ID application form provided at VFS (completed on site) BI-9 form (or DHA-9) is a mandatory South African Department of Home Affairs document for applicants aged 16 and older, primarily used to collect a full set of fingerprints for ID and passport applications |
| 🌍 General | |
| Payment | All payments made at VFS – card only |
| Waiting Time | Approx. 45 minutes after scheduled appointment before being attended to |
| Tips |
Allow extra time for your appointment Expect delays even with a booked time slot |
| VFS Berlin Note |
Use the entrance directly from the street (Canadian office entrance) Canadian, South African and Nigerian services share the same office space |
| 💶 Cost | |
| Total | €152 (passport, VFS fee & courier) |
How long does it actually take? These timelines show the journey from application to collection, helping you understand what is typical — and where delays can happen.
Shared by Candi 17/03/2026
| Application Type | Adult Passport |
| Application Date | 27 Jan 2026 |
| Received Passport | 17 Mar 2026 |
| Total Processing Time | 49 days |
| Tracking | Only partially |
| Courier Option | No – collected in Berlin |
| 📅 Key Updates | |
| 28 Jan 2026 | Application reached Pretoria |
| 09 Mar 2026 | Processed application on its way to Germany |
Shared by Estelle 01/04/2026
📊 Timeline – Adult Passport
| Application Type | Adult Passport |
| Application Date | 30 Dec 2025 |
| Received Passport | 01 Apr 2026 |
| Total Processing Time | 92 days |
| Tracking | Not available |
| Courier Option | Yes – worked well |
| 📅 Key Updates | |
| 05 Jan 2026 | Application sent for processing |
| 16 Feb 2026 | Processed in Pretoria |
| 16 Feb 2026 | Application en route to Germany |
Share Your Experience & Help Others
Every application tells a story — the waiting, the surprises, the small victories when things finally move forward. If you’ve gone through the child passport process, your experience could make the road a little smoother for someone else.
We’ve created simple, easy-to-complete forms where you can share your timeline and what the process was really like for you. It doesn’t take long, but it can make a real difference to another South African family trying to find their footing far from home.

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