The Civil Registry Department is soon going to introduce an system that allows Zimbabweans to apply for passports and IDs online.

Over the past two years, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Affairs has been modernising it’s operations in terms of issuing important documents. In 2022, Zimbabwe introduced the ePassport with enhanced security and quicker immigration clearance at airports or borders with automated e-gates.

Last week, the Government announced that it has opened a passport processing in Johannesburg, South Africa. A team from the Registrar’s office is in South Africa to train the staff, who will also be involved in processing passports. The office will be commissioned soon.

Five More e-passport offices will be opened in the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. Locally, Government opened e-passport centres in Guruve, Gwanda, Gweru, Lupane, Marondera, Beitbridge, Chitungwiza, Hwange, Mazowe, Murehwa, Zvishavane, Chinhoyi and Guruve in addition to those in Harare and Bulawayo.

To bring more convenience, the Government is taking the process online.

The Civil Registry Department will Kickstart the process by launching the Zimbabwe Population Registry System (ZPRS) which will be a central database for all Zimbabwean citizens’ demographic information. It will be critical for the operationalisation of the online application platform for civic documents.

Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said this will pave for the system that allows people to apply for passports, IDs and birth certificates online:

“The online passport application is expected to be working before the end of 2024. The Zimbabwe Population Registry System is in the testing phase for some of the modules, and the system is expected to be implemented beginning of July 2024.

“The Electronic Document and Records Management System is in its development stage and the expectation is that by the end of the year, it will be completed.”