National Travel Documents

The Government of the Republic of Zambia issues two types of documents to enable its nationals travel from one country to another. These are Passport and Travel Document of Identity (TDI).

Passport

A Passport is an official document issued by the Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship (DNRPC) certifying the holder’s identity and citizenship and entitling the holder to travel under the State’s protection to and from foreign countries.

Zambian Missions Abroad are mandated to receive applications for first time renewal and replacement of national travel documents. The Missions are not mandated to issue Passports.

A Passport must be renewed six (6) months before the expiry date or with a minimum number of three (3) pages remaining in the current passport.

Travel Document of Identity
A Travel Document of Identity (TDI) is a document issued to a Zambian National to enable them travel one way and directly to Zambia in the case of an emergency.

The Zambian Missions are only mandated to issue one way TDI , in order to facilitate the movement of a Zambian national to Zambia. The Applicant will be required to obtain a Passport upon arrival in Zambia.

Note: Requirements for the issuance of a TDI are the same as those for issuance of a Passport, except the TDI application process does not require completion of the Barcode Form.

Requirements for Acquisition of National Travel Documents (Passport and Travel Document of Identity)

(A) Applicants aged sixteen (16) years and above1. Duly completed Application Form A (Annex 5); 2. Duly completed Affidavit of Birth Form N (Annex 5); 3. Duly completed Application Barcode Form; and 4. Two (2) passport size photographs. The photo must show the Applicant’s full face, both ears and without any braids, headgear or adornment. One passport photo must be endorsed by the Recommender. Supporting documents: i. Certified copy of national identity/ National Registration Card (NRC); ii. Certified copy of previous travel document, if any; iii. Certified copy of a Marriage Certificate, where applicable; iv. Certified copy of Birth Certificate, sworn Affidavit or Birth Record (Annex 5); v. Copy of a Residence Permit; and vi. Copy of Clearance letter (as proof of not having obtained another citizenship).

(B) Applicants below the age of sixteen (16) years 1. Duly completed Application Form B (Annex 5); 2. Duly completed Affidavit/Affirmation Form M (Annex 5); and 3. Duly completed Application Barcode Form. (All Forms for Applicants below the age of 16 years must be completed by a parent or legal guardian) Supporting documents: i. Certified copy of Birth Certificate or Affidavit of Birth; ii. Certified copy of National Registration Card (NRC) of parent or legal guardian; iii. Copy of the previous travel document, (if any); iv. Copy of valid Zambian Passport of parent/s or legal guardian; v. Sworn General Affidavit of Consent (by parent or guardian); vi. Proof of payment (Receipt of the fee to be attached); and vii. Two (2) passport size photographs. The photo must show the Applicant’s full face and both ears, without any braids, headgear, or adornment. One passport photo must be endorsed by the Recommender.

C) Replacement of a Lost Passport or Travel Document of Identity (TDI) Requirements: 1. Police Report from the Applicant’s country of residence or where the document was lost; 2. Proof of payment (Receipt of the fee attached); 3. General Affidavit Form Declaration for the loss of travel document (Annex 5); 4. Duly completed Lost Passport Description Slip Form L (Annex 5); and 5. Duly completed Passport Application Form A or Form B including parts 7,8 and 9 respectively (Annex 5). Note:The Government reserves the right to issue a replacement passport with a restricted validity period at a fee, depending on the circumstances of the loss of the travel document.

D) Replacement of damaged Travel Document Requirements: 1. Sworn General Affidavit Form (Declaration for the damaged travel document); and 2. Complete Passport Application Form A or Form B. Note: • All supporting documents should be certified by a designated official at the nearest Zambian Mission. • The Applicant’s Recommender (Form A (Annex 5) or Witness (Form B) (Annex 5.) in the Application Forms, should be a designated official at the nearest Zambian Mission. • Applications must be submitted, in person, by the Applicant to Passport Office or the Zambian Missions abroad (Annex 2) that covers your country of residence. • No third-party submissions will be considered. However, Applicants who live in a country where there is no resident Zambian Mission may contact the nearest Mission on how to process the application.

1. Question: Why should I notify the Zambian Mission of the death of a Zambian national even when there may be no role for the Mission to play?

Answer: - Maintaining a record of deaths of Zambian nationals in the Diaspora would help curb identity theft of deceased Zambians. - This would also help the Zambian Government to maintain a correct record of its citizenry; and - In the event of repatriation of the remains, the Mission would play a facilitatory role.
3. Question: I was born in Zambia before the Births and Deaths Registration Act of 14th March, 1973. How do I acquire a Birth certificate?

Answer: The provisions in the Act do not cater for persons born before 14th March 1973. However, a letter may be issued by the DNRPC Head Office to such persons, as proof of birth in Zambia. A Deponent would be required to fill in application Form M (Annex 5) and attach a copy of their NRC and that of the applicant for submission to the DNRPC.
4. Question: Why should I notify the Zambian Mission of the birth of my child, when they would not be issued with a Zambian Birth Certificate?

Answer: In an event that you wish to apply for a National Document for your child such as an NRC or Passport, the proof of record of birth at the Zambian Mission would serve as evidence of your child’s Zambian ancestry.
1. Question: Who is eligible to acquire a Zambian Birth Certificate?

Answer: All persons born in Zambia after 14th March, 1973 whether they are Zambian or not.
2. Question: Why is the issuance of Birth Certificates only applicable to persons born after 14th March, 1973?

Answer: This is as provided for in the Births and Deaths Registration Act Chapter 51 of the Laws of Zambia, which came into effect on 14th March, 1973.
2. Question: I acquired citizenship of another country after the Constitution amendment of 5th January 2016, do I lose my Zambian Citizenship?

No, you do not lose your Zambian Citizenship, but you would be required to officially notify the Passport and Citizenship Office in Zambia or the nearest Zambian Mission by completing the Notice of Acquisition of Citizenship of another country (Form VI) (Annex 5).
4. Question: I am 21 years old of a foreign citizenship but born of Zambian parents who also later acquired citizenship of another country. Do I qualify for citizenship of Zambia?

A person born in or outside Zambia is a citizen of Zambia if at the time of his/her birth, one or both parents was a holder of Zambian citizenship. If such a person was a holder of either an NRC or Zambian Passport or endorsed in one of their parents’ Zambian Passport, they are eligible to apply for citizenship through Bestowal. However, if such a person has never been a holder of a Zambian national document, they can only obtain Zambian citizenship through the process of Registration.
3. 1. Question: Where one or both parents is a holder of Zambian citizenship and their child is below 18 years but is a holder of citizenship of another country, does such a child qualify for citizenship of Zambia?

Yes, a child who is below 18 years retains their Zambian citizenship but would be required to complete the Notice of Acquisition of Citizenship of another country (Form VI) (Annex 5). Note: A person above 18 years of age of Zambian parents (one or both) can only claim for Zambia citizenship through Bestowal, if they previously held Zambian national documents (NRC, Passport or endorsement in parent’s Passport) or through the process of Registration, if they never held any Zambian documents.
1. Question: I lost my Zambian Citizenship before the Constitution amendment of 5th January 2016. Do I automatically retain the Citizenship of Zambia?

No, it is not automatic but for as long as you were a holder of Zambian national documents (NRC, Passport or endorsement of parent’s Passport), you would be required to apply for your Zambian Citizenship through the Bestowal process.
6. Question: Do my children automatically become Zambian citizens after I obtain my Bestowal of Citizenship?

A. If at the time of your child’s birth, neither of you as parents held Zambian citizenship, the child does not automatically become Zambian but would need to apply for citizenship by Registration at the age of 18 years. B. If at the time of your child’s birth, at least one parent held Zambian citizenship, the child (below the age of 18 years) is eligible to claim citizenship of Zambia by completing Notice of Acquisition of Citizenship of another country (Form VI).
5. Question: I am 19 years old, and my parents acquired citizenship of another country before my birth. Am I able to claim citizenship of Zambia?

No, because at the time of your birth, both of your parents had ceased to be citizens of Zambia. Therefore, if you wish to become a citizen of Zambia, you would be required to apply for citizenship through the process of Registration.
2. Question: Why do I need a green NRC?

Because a green NRC is a mandatory primary source of proof of identification of a Zambian national.
1. Question: At what age is a green NRC acquired?

16 years and above.
4. Question: If I don’t have a police report from the foreign country where I lost the NRC, what do I do?

You can obtain a police report from any Police Station within Zambia.
5. Question: Can I get an NRC from any Zambian Mission abroad (Annex 2)?

No. Due to the security nature of this foundational document, the Law provides for the issuance of NRCs only within Zambia.
3. Question: I am a Zambian citizen and I lost my NRC. Am I eligible to renew my Passport?

Yes, provided you have a photocopy of the NRC, because it is mandatory for every Applicant to have an NRC in order to renew their Passport.
6. Question: I am 35 years old and have lived outside Zambia since the age of 14 years, and I want to apply for an NRC, what documents do I need to attach to my application?

For as long as you have not obtained citizenship of another country, you may be issued with an NRC but you would need to attach the following documents: i. Copy of foreign Residence Permit; ii. Original NRC of accompanying deponent; iii. Copy of parent’s NRC (if available); and iv. Copy of either birth certificate, Under-five Clinic Card or Sworn Affidavit.
7. Question: Can I have my supporting documents certified by any qualified Commissioner for Oaths?

Answer: No. All supporting documents must be certified by the designated official at the nearest Zambian Mission.
6. Question: Why do I need to complete an Application Form when renewing my Passport?

Answer: Completing the Form is important as personal information or particulars may have changed at the time of making the renewal application such as marital status, place of residence, physical appearance etc.
5. Question: Why do Passport applications take long to process?

Answer: The actual processing time is 14 working days from the date of receipt of the Application at the Passport Office, which endeavours as much as possible to prioritise the issuance of Passports for Zambians in the Diaspora. However, delays may occur if all requirements are not met in full.
3. Question: Should the Recommender at the Zambian Mission have known me for at least two years?

Answer: Not necessarily, but the applicant must be known either by any other member of staff of the Mission or by any of the registered Zambian communities within that country. It is for this reason that Zambians are encouraged to register with the Missions.
1. Question: Can I apply for a Zambian Passport without a Birth Certificate?

Answer: Yes, you can, however, an Affidavit of Birth must be submitted in place of the Birth Certificate.
2. Question: Can I attach copies of my previous Zambian Passport or TDI to my application for a new Passport?

Answer. Yes, if in possession, and together with all other required documents. In the case of a TDI, you would be required to attach the original TDI to the application for a new Passport.
4. Question: If I have lost my passport but I want to travel to Zambia urgently, what should I do?

Answer: Present a police report to the nearest Zambian Mission in order to be issued with a one-way Travel Document of Identity (TDI) to enable you travel to Zambia. You will be charged an applicable penalty fee, in addition to the prescribed. fee, depending on which document you have lost.