Department of Home Affairs, Centurion

I have seen worse home affairs but it is far from smooth experience. There are no parking available, you have to park in the turning lame of the street managed by unofficial opertunist. No clear signage on where to go for what and although workers assisted they were not easy to identify, the main waiting floor are devided by function with no obvious queues flow so very confusing. It takes about 30min for them to start processing queues after they open. Dont go way early, a guy that was there from 6am only finished 10min before me that was there from 7h30.

I was very positively surprised by my visit to the Home Affairs department yesterday. I went there to collect my child's birth certificate, and I was in and out in 45 minutes, and of that, 20 minutes was spent waiting before the opening time. I arrived at 7:40, and there was a queue of about 100 people on the street. They let us into the yard at 07:45 where we were split into different queues depending on our reason for visiting. The staff were very efficient and even took the time to explain the processes and requirements in obtaining various documents to the people waiting in the queue. We were led into the building which was clean and nicely air conditioned, and formed into a new line. From there we were quickly assisted. Big credit to the staff and management there, it was very refreshing to receive such good service from a Government department! NB: Avoid parking at the Gautrain station, they charged R126 for <1 hour :

The most unbelievable thing happened today at this monstrous place, where my sister was manhandled and dragged on the floor by the security guards from Phutadichaba Trading Enterprise Security company this afternoon. She reported to the manager there, it all fell into deaf's ears. As the place was empty they completely denied everything when my sister's husband came into play. Unfortunately there was no video, but my sister only has the bruises to show for it.

Pleasantly surprised, booked online for passport renewal at 9am-10am and arrived at 08:55. There were about 12 other 9am slot people in front of me. We were in the building by 09:10, then photos and fingerprints were taken, signed, paid R600 & I was out by 10:15am. Friendly staff too! Estimated passport wait time: 1 - 2 weeks. Avoid parking at the Gautrain station as they charge R126 for 1 hour+

I must commend Centurion Home Affairs for their fast and efficient service. I was there at 7am and I was out before 9am. This was a very different experience and a great improvement. Their hours are from 8am to 3:30pm Mon-Fri. But they opened a little earlier to curb the ques which was very helpful.

This is place is extremely frustrating. The staff work at a snails pace, their systems keep going offline and their PC's are so old, everything takes longer than it should. The ticket system they have doesn't work and they call people that arrived after you. Making a booking online is COMPLETELY POINTLESS. Its just to get you in the door and then you follow the que like everyone else and wait hours to get serviced. There is no parking so you end up parking on the street which is a turning lane and hope your vehicle doesn't get towed by the time you are done. If you can, book online and rather do your passport or ID at a bank branch instead.

It took me 1.5 hours to collect a passport. Once inside things went quickly but no-one tells you when you arrive that you have to put your name on a list at the security so they helped people behind me first. Why don't they have a sign up telling you to first report at security???

If yoy actually want to get somewhere without an issue bribes it is, there was people in and out before us, one lady behind me said she didnt have an application, so they didnt let her in, 10 min later she just walked in and 40 min later out with a smile. I take it her wallet is empty, anyway I sat in the queue since 6 am, we went in 7:55. I went inside like half an hour later and waited for my ticket to be called, they called me and it started. the longest wait is the photobooth, because they read it numerical, if you are nr 56 and they only at nr 12 u gon wait another 2 hours. So try to be there early, people say theres no reason for it but i was in and out in 2 hours. I did my form online but i didnt pay. so I just paid there and i didnt have to fill anything in coz they already had it. It looks better and smells better inside, however bring something to keep u busy with. Mine was smoothe but long. Better than driving to the pretoria dha or tryna get a slot for a bank branch

No parking inside. Have to pay "car guard/extortionist" outside R100 to park illegally. No one outside directs you where you should go, and the signs are inadequate. Have to stand in the sun while waiting for any movement. Don't caterer for you if you do not have an appointment even though the website says you don't need one. Not answering the phone either. Just bad overall

5th time this year. Always system issues. Haven't been able to obtain a single basic document any of the times. Smelly, 10 degrees hotter than outdoors, no signage, no communication, Uber pick up extremely challenging. If you can, rather go to a bank.