Guidelines for Completing Application for Passport
Please read these notes carefully before completing the Passport Application Form PP1
1. The application Form (PP1) is to be used when a person is applying for a first Passport Replacement or Renewal.
2. Passport Photographs
a) All applicants are required to submit with their applications, two photographs certified by Commissioner of Oaths who administered oath at page 5 (Declaration by the Applicant).
b) The photographs should be taken full face – head and shoulders without a hat/doek. The size should not be more than 63mm by 50mm (2 ½ inches by 2 inches) or less than 52mm b6 37mm (2inches by 1 ½ inches). They should be printed on normal thin photographic paper and unmounted.
The applicant must submit the application together with two identical photographs of him/herself, the photographs must be sufficiently recent, not more than six months old, to be a good likeness of and satisfactorily identify the applicant.
c) The person who countersigns as Commissioner of Oaths should also at the back of one of the photographs write the words “I certify that this is a true likeness of …………….” (applicant’s name) add signature and date.
d) The photographs should be securely stapled to the application form, using four staples, one staple at each corner of the photograph. Staples must not obscure the applicant’s face. This prevents photographs from being separated from the application form during transit to Head Office.
e) The photographs should portray a good likeness and satisfactorily identify the applicant. They must be clear, front view, full face with light-plain background.
f) The applicant should be dressed in normal attire without hat, a doek or braids and sleeveless.
g) Special exception may be allowed for headgear only if it is part of regional attire worn daily. Only applicants who serve in uniform government departments, such as the Armed Forces, Police, Immigration etc., applying for diplomatic or official passports may submit photographs in which they wear a uniform of the Botswana Government, uniforms and or head covering which obscure the applicant’s features, i.e. hair or hairline may not be worn in a passport photograph.
h) Passport photographs are acceptable either in colour or black and white. They may be with or without margins. Photographs which have been retouched, i.e. eliminating lines, wrinkles etc., are not acceptable. Automatic and (self developing instant) prints are acceptable only if they meet the specifications of 2 a) to 2 e) and are guaranteed not to fade or change colour during the life of the passport or deteriorate in hot weather.
Black and white prints which have been tinted e.g. sepia tone or otherwise coloured are not acceptable.
Snapshots, full-length photographs and photographs with a waxed back or other coating which lessens adhesiveness are not acceptable. Newspaper or magazine photographs are not acceptable.
3. All applications for Botswana passports in respect of applicants over 16 years must be supported by a valid National Registration Identity Card (Omang).
Only in extremely exceptional circumstances shall a birth certificate or an affidavit in lieu of birth certificate completed by a parent on behalf of the applicant and attested by Commissioner of Oaths, be accepted.
If for genuine reasons both parents are not available, a legal guardian or close relative who is at least 10 years older than the applicant might complete an affidavit in lieu of birth certificate on behalf of the applicant.
4. The passport document which you are applying for is intended to facilitate travel outside Botswana and remains the property of the Government of Botswana. Carefully read the conditions of use on the cover page of the passport when it is received.
5. Legal Guardian’s consent (Section 1b) to be completed when the applicant is a minor under the age of 21 years.
6. In the event of the applicant’s Surname being different from the vouching legal guardian or parent, an explanatory letter should be attached.
7. Endorsement of passport is applied for on Form PP3.
8. Ensure that you sign the specimen which is to be attached to your passport.
9. Children from 8 years old should sign their application forms (Specimen Signatures).
10. Submit your passport with the application, and in case whereby the passport is lost, a police report must be obtained and a Declaration of Lost Passport completed.
11. Visit any Notary Officer in your area to sign and put his/her official stamp in Section 6.
12. For a minor applying for a new passport, requirements must include:
(a) 2 photos (see item 2b for photo size)
(b) Copy of parent’s valid Omang (front/back)
(c) Certified copy of minor’s birth certificate
(d) Copy of first 5 pages of parent’s valid passport
Please read these notes carefully before completing the Passport Application Form PP1
1. The application Form (PP1) is to be used when a person is applying for a first Passport Replacement or Renewal.
2. Passport Photographs
a) All applicants are required to submit with their applications, two photographs certified by Commissioner of Oaths who administered oath at page 5 (Declaration by the Applicant).
b) The photographs should be taken full face – head and shoulders without a hat/doek. The size should not be more than 63mm by 50mm (2 ½ inches by 2 inches) or less than 52mm b6 37mm (2inches by 1 ½ inches). They should be printed on normal thin photographic paper and unmounted.
The applicant must submit the application together with two identical photographs of him/herself, the photographs must be sufficiently recent, not more than six months old, to be a good likeness of and satisfactorily identify the applicant.
c) The person who countersigns as Commissioner of Oaths should also at the back of one of the photographs write the words “I certify that this is a true likeness of …………….” (applicant’s name) add signature and date.
d) The photographs should be securely stapled to the application form, using four staples, one staple at each corner of the photograph. Staples must not obscure the applicant’s face. This prevents photographs from being separated from the application form during transit to Head Office.
e) The photographs should portray a good likeness and satisfactorily identify the applicant. They must be clear, front view, full face with light-plain background.
f) The applicant should be dressed in normal attire without hat, a doek or braids and sleeveless.
g) Special exception may be allowed for headgear only if it is part of regional attire worn daily. Only applicants who serve in uniform government departments, such as the Armed Forces, Police, Immigration etc., applying for diplomatic or official passports may submit photographs in which they wear a uniform of the Botswana Government, uniforms and or head covering which obscure the applicant’s features, i.e. hair or hairline may not be worn in a passport photograph.
h) Passport photographs are acceptable either in colour or black and white. They may be with or without margins. Photographs which have been retouched, i.e. eliminating lines, wrinkles etc., are not acceptable. Automatic and (self developing instant) prints are acceptable only if they meet the specifications of 2 a) to 2 e) and are guaranteed not to fade or change colour during the life of the passport or deteriorate in hot weather.
Black and white prints which have been tinted e.g. sepia tone or otherwise coloured are not acceptable.
Snapshots, full-length photographs and photographs with a waxed back or other coating which lessens adhesiveness are not acceptable. Newspaper or magazine photographs are not acceptable.
3. All applications for Botswana passports in respect of applicants over 16 years must be supported by a valid National Registration Identity Card (Omang).
Only in extremely exceptional circumstances shall a birth certificate or an affidavit in lieu of birth certificate completed by a parent on behalf of the applicant and attested by Commissioner of Oaths, be accepted.
If for genuine reasons both parents are not available, a legal guardian or close relative who is at least 10 years older than the applicant might complete an affidavit in lieu of birth certificate on behalf of the applicant.
4. The passport document which you are applying for is intended to facilitate travel outside Botswana and remains the property of the Government of Botswana. Carefully read the conditions of use on the cover page of the passport when it is received.
5. Legal Guardian’s consent (Section 1b) to be completed when the applicant is a minor under the age of 21 years.
6. In the event of the applicant’s Surname being different from the vouching legal guardian or parent, an explanatory letter should be attached.
7. Endorsement of passport is applied for on Form PP3.
8. Ensure that you sign the specimen which is to be attached to your passport.
9. Children from 8 years old should sign their application forms (Specimen Signatures).
10. Submit your passport with the application, and in case whereby the passport is lost, a police report must be obtained and a Declaration of Lost Passport completed.
11. Visit any Notary Officer in your area to sign and put his/her official stamp in Section 6.
12. For a minor applying for a new passport, requirements must include:
(a) 2 photos (see item 2b for photo size)
(b) Copy of parent’s valid Omang (front/back)
(c) Certified copy of minor’s birth certificate
(d) Copy of first 5 pages of parent’s valid passport