If your passport is lost or stolen while you are travelling abroad, report the loss/theft immediately to the local law enforcement agency (e.g. police station). Take a copy of the police report to the nearest South African High Commission, Embassy or Consulate-General where you will apply for an emergency travel document. There is a fee attached to the application for an emergency travel document.   Please note that all passport applications are forwarded to the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa for processing and issuance of new passports. The waiting period to receive a new passport abroad can be several months. In emergency situations the South African Diplomatic or Consular Mission is in a position to issue you with an Emergency Travel Certificate, which will allow you only to travel directly back to South Africa.   In order to apply for a new Passport, or an Emergency Travel Certificate, you must: Complete an application form. Be finger-printed. Produce written evidence of your South African citizenship (e.g. a birth certificate, identity document, certified copy of passport, driver's license). Where available. Provide a copy of the police report. (in the event of loss or theft) Present two photographs. Pay the prescribed fee (as determined by the Department of Home Affairs).   A South African passport remains the property of the Government of South Africa and may only be used by the person to whom it is issued. Selling your passport or permitting any other individual or agency to use it may lead to criminal prosecution and is considered sufficient cause to revoke the passport and refuse future passport services. In cases where employers insist to “safe keep” passports, please report it immediately to the nearest South African Diplomatic/Consular office.   Please note: It is the responsibility of travellers to ensure that they are in possession of the required valid passports and other required documents, issued by the Department of Home Affairs, before departure. As a foreigner in a foreign country, you should always have your South African Passport (with the required visa/study/work/residence permit) with you.   The DIRCO will not intervene on behalf of travellers before their departure from South Africa, on matters relating to the  issuance of new RSA passports, the renewal of it or the issuance of ID, Birth-, Unabridged birth-, marriage certificates, or any other matter that falls within the mandate of the functions of the Department of Home Affairs.