What to do if you lose your British passport in South Africa
First and foremost, when you’ve noticed your British passport is lost or stolen while travelling in South Africa, stop reading this article and cancel it. You can do this online, so head straight to the UK government’s website and cancel your current passport. You can read about the process step by step here. If your child’s passport has been lost or stolen, you can also cancel it on their behalf through the website.
Next on the agenda is to report a stolen passport to the local police in South Africa. This is to get a written report that you can submit to your travel insurance company or the HMPO, should they ask for it when applying for a new passport. This will also prevent the person who stole the passport from using it as their form of ID.
Once you’ve completed the two steps above, it’s time to apply for a new passport. You can do this from the HMPO’s website online, but beware that doing this from South Africa can increase your wait time, as it will go through the overseas application process. The wait time for overseas applications is usually 10 weeks, which probably isn’t the news you wanted to hear if you’re currently without a passport.
The good news is that there are two alternative options. The first is to apply for an emergency travel document, which will help you travel on a limited basis while waiting for your new passport to arrive. The second is to use ASAP Passports’ express service to get a new UK passport delivered to you in South Africa in just two weeks.
Can I apply for a new British passport if I lose or have my passport stolen in South Africa?
Yes, the HMPO allows UK citizens to apply for a replacement passport from anywhere in the world, including South Africa. There are several processes set up in place for people who find themselves stranded with a lost or stolen passport, so don’t panic. You can apply for an emergency travel document, which gives you the ability to travel to a specific destination via a pre-approved route. This lets you continue your travel plans while you wait for your new passport to arrive.
However, we understand that it can be daunting to be without a passport in another country, so if you want to get this process completed quicker, ASAP Passports is on hand to help. We can get the entire process completed accurately and efficiently thanks to our team of experts, delivering your new passport to you within just two weeks.
What is the fastest way to replace a lost or stolen UK passport in South Africa?
When you don’t want to waste time with emergency travel documents and simply want your passport back in your hands, the fastest method is to use ASAP Passports’ express services. We take all of the guesswork away from replacing a lost or stolen passport, personally handling your application with the HMPO until the new passport is issued. This means that you’re not waiting around for your application to come off a pile within the Passport Office – which can increase wait times significantly. Most overseas applications are given a waiting time of 10 weeks when applying yourself, but with ASAP Passports, we guarantee a delivery of two weeks or less.
Our fast-track process for a lost British passport in South Africa
If you’ve heard enough and are ready to use our fast-track service to get your passport back with you where it belongs, there are a few steps you need to follow. We’ve outlined these below to show you how easy it is to work with us:
1. Cancel your passport by reporting it lost or stolen
First of all, we can’t do anything until your passport is cancelled. The best way to do this is through the UK government’s website by reporting it as lost or stolen. You can also do this by visiting the British Embassy in Pretoria, but most people find online to be much easier and quicker, as you don’t need to schedule an appointment. Once you’ve cancelled your passport, we can start the process of applying for a new one.
2. Get in touch with ASAP Passports
The quickest way to get us on your case is by contacting us directly, so don’t hesitate to get in touch! We’ll listen to the details of your case and direct you to an area of our team that can help you most efficiently. Our experts are on hand to help in any way they can, so as soon as you register your interest, we’ll get to work finding the quickest route for your new passport.
3. Send us everything we need to get started
While renewing a passport is relatively straightforward with minimal supporting documents needed, the HMPO often requires more for lost or stolen passports to verify your identity. To renew your passport, you’d need to send your old one to have it cancelled, which would also confirm your identity before a new one is issued. However, if your passport is lost or stolen, this is no longer an option.
Don’t panic – we’ll ask for all of the necessary documents to get your application going with a minimised risk of rejection. These will include new passport photos, another form of UK government-issued identification document, and proof of your British citizenship. You can upload your photos digitally, but for your ID and proof of citizenship, we’ll generate an express shipping label to get them to us within as little time as possible.
4. We'll fast-track your application
Once we’ve received everything we need and you’ve sent us your application form, we’ll check over everything to make sure it’s ready to go. When we’re happy, we’ll personally send it to the HMPO and continue to visit the office to check the status of your passport. This helps speed up the process so your passport isn’t stuck in a line and unnecessarily delayed. We’ll keep you informed about the status of your application until we get the notification that we’re able to pick up the passport. If you have any questions during the process, we’ll be happy to walk you through anything you’re unsure of.
5. We'll send your new passport to your South African address
As soon as we get notified that your passport is ready for collection, one of our team members will personally pick it up and send it straight to your address in South Africa. We use a network of global couriers to make sure we can always pair you with the best option to get your package to you on time, without risky delays. Once it’s on its way, you’ll also get full tracking information to follow its journey right to your doorstep.
What additional supporting documentation will I need to replace a lost or stolen passport?
When replacing a lost or stolen passport, you’ll need to send some extra supporting documents to confirm your identity. These may include the following:
It can be a daunting idea to consider how you’ll find all of these documents to send to the HMPO, but don’t worry, that’s where we at ASAP Passports come in. We’ll help you determine the most convenient forms of these documents so you can access them in as little time as possible, reducing the wait time between getting your new passport and you.
For example, if your birth certificate is too difficult for you to locate, we’ll offer you other accepted documents to choose from instead that can be used to prove your British nationality.
You won’t always need to divulge your travel plans with the HMPO, but these may be needed if you’re applying for an emergency travel document to use in the meantime. Proof of your itinerary could include hotel invoices or plane tickets.
Not all South African authorities will provide you with a written report, and you might not even file a claim, but we highly recommend asking for one if you do file a report. You’ll be able to send this to your insurance company or the HMPO to validate your claim, hopefully speeding several processes along to keep you from waiting.
How much will it cost to replace a lost or stolen British passport in South Africa?
The cost of replacing a lost or stolen passport depends on a number of things. ASAP Passports offers four tiered service packages so you can choose which services you want without overpaying. We are dedicated to helping you in all the ways you need, so you have the final say in the price you pay. Plus, our fees are flat and never feature any hidden costs, so you can rest assured that your final price won’t increase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still travel within South Africa without my British passport?
Yes, there should be no restrictions on your travel within South Africa while in the country. You’ll be able to use a different form of ID, such as a driver’s license, to board domestic flights, so a lost or stolen passport doesn’t have to ruin your holiday. However, it’s important to verify this with your chosen airline before your flight time to avoid stress.
What happens if my visa is in my lost passport? How do I prove my legal status in South Africa?
Don’t panic – you can still access your visa online through your UKVI account. Here, you’ll find your eVisa, which you can use while in South Africa. However, we still recommend reporting your lost physical copy to the Home Office. You can do this online or report it to the local police.
Will my existing UK passport be cancelled once it is reported lost or stolen?
Yes. Reporting a passport as lost or stolen invalidates and cancels it, but we still recommend cancelling your UK passport yourself, too. You can do this with the Home Office online, as we won’t be able to process your application for a new one until it’s completed.
Do I need to report a lost or stolen British passport to the British Consulate General?
No, but you can. You can report a passport as lost or stolen online or report it to the British Consulate or Embassy in South Africa so they can facilitate the process of getting a new one. The latter is often best suited for people who can’t get online while on holiday in South Africa.
If I find my passport after reporting it lost or stolen, can I use it again?
No, once a passport has been reported lost or stolen, it’ll be cancelled and therefore invalid. As soon as you find your passport again, you’ll need to destroy it and send it to the HMPO in the UK.
Can I expedite my passport replacement application?
The HMPO doesn’t offer fast-track services for overseas applications, but ASAP Passports can bypass this to expedite your application. We can reduce the wait time from 10 weeks to just 2, cutting your stressful situation by up to 80%.
