Department of Home Affairs

Hey there early. We arrived at 6:45, and where lucky to make it in before closing. Take water and snacks, the Que is 5 hours or longer. Take sunblock if it is a hot day. Guys hire chairs at R5 an hour. Take toilet paper. Once you are in, it goes faster. We got out of there at 14:30 and there was still a massive Que.

Judging by previous reviews i was nervous. To be fair though - i only went here to collect passport not apply and it went smoothly. I arrived at 6:30 and was out at 9:30. If the systems are working they are quick. They come outside to ensure everyone is in correct line, take your details etc. It really wasnt as bas as i expected. SOME ADVICE: Get there early.. its worth it to be helped quickly in the morning. Take a hat/ sunscreen. Some people stand long under that sun.

Passport & ID collection: Done in +-2.5 hours. Got there at 05:45. 7th in the Q. 07:30 they provided chairs for the first 12 people. 08:00 doors open. Moms with newborns go in first no matter where you are in the line which helps them a lot, there was about 5 or so this morning. Got into the building at 08:20. Ticket 14. Actual collection time was under 2 min! Done and dusted by 08:30. Application: Q was already about 50 strong when I got there. I’d recommend getting there at 4am if you want to be in the 1st 10. I did so when applying for ID and passport and was first in line, and was done by 08:10. Lines are split between the two: collection is the left Q. It’s obviously not the best system but getting there as early as possible is the best way to handle it! Be nice to the staff. They are subjected to this way of working. Would not recommend going alone as a woman.

Please read this! Home affairs is a very well functioning place - if you take advantage of the well functioning online booking system. Bookings only open one month in advance. So everyday one more day opens up and the slots are all filled very early in the morning. So wake up early and make a booking - it will be for one month from the day. Then arrive 30min before your booking, report to security, be polite. And you’ll be out within 1hr.

I cannot understand why it takes ages just to collect your item. The wait is almost as long as if I were starting the application. Better systems need to be in place. They can't be in need of a system reboot in the first 5min of being open and that lasts an entire hour.

Long queues and unhelpful staff that loose their temper when you ask a question. Paid to fast track my passport application and tracking shows that it was delivered to the branch 4 days before and they still don't want to check if it is available for collection.

Thanks to Information Desk :Ausi Phophi.shes friendly and she assisted me to renew my passport as there were complications from Home Affairs Johannesburg and she managed to send emails to rectify the mistakes that were done more than ten years ago. And happy that I renewed my passport through her hard work and determination.Thank you Cape Town Home Affairs and all the staff there. You are doing a great job.

The call centre agent is very rude. She has no manners. Her music is so loud i ask her to soften it she tells me she can hear my fine. She tells me what i need and she puts the phone down in my ear, no goodbye. I call back and tell her she has no manners she tells me i cant say that i dont know her and put the phone down in my ear again. So rude. If this is how you treat your clients your are rude and have no manners.

I had good prompt service from there after booking online. Had an issue and the staff there were very helpful. I think they're doing the best they can under very strenuous circumstances and had a pleasant experience

So tiring to be in long queues from early morning. My son and I were in the queue from 6h45 and were finally let into the building just after noon. There is no communication from employees, and no signage indicating what to do or where to go. To be seen you have to be there an hour or two before the doors open. This place desperately needs extra staff and a better system. We were only collecting and left 5 hours later. I feel sorry for the elderly, physically challenged, pregnant women, and moms with babies. It's horrible for them as they cram onto hard, cold pavements, desperately seeking shelter from the blazing sun or the rain. It's inhumane to treat people as if they don't matter. I understand they are understaffed. I know things could be better if they just communicated with the people