Kanniewagnie Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 My children's passports expires one of these days and so at last we've completed the forms, took the passport photo's went to the police station to get the signature and stamp of the Police Officer on the back of one of the photo's to confirm the images are those of the kids, get the Police Officer to complete the first page of the BI73 (they are under 16, so no fingerprints needed) and very chuffed with myself, got home to post it.... wait, oh what? Black pen? I am used to complete all forms in black, but here in Ozzieland, they don't mind blue or black and although the BI73 was completed by me in black, the portion that the Police Officer completed is in BLUE. Do you guys think I have to re-print, go back and get it done all over, or do you think the blue is OK? Urgh, I'll hate it that the applications be declined just because I was too lazy to go back to get it re-done. So please note, ASK the Police Officer to use a black pen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadEnoughofJuju Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 The Copper that filled out my daughters form did it in blue pen and the JP that certified all the docs also did it in blue pen and we didn't have any issues. The people that work at the South African High Commission in Canberra are mostly all Aussies so I think they understand. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanniewagnie Posted December 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 Thank you Juju, do you think that it is the people in Canberra that do the passport or do they simply forward the application to home affairs in South Africa and then they might be a spanner in our works....? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadEnoughofJuju Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 The SA High Commission forward the applications to DHA in RSA who then do the processing, but they don't really care as long as you didn't fill the forms in with red or green pen and even then, I don't think it will make much of a difference. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyebrow Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 Where did you get the forms Kanniewagnie? We will soon be in the same boat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanniewagnie Posted December 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 Eyebrow, Here is a website we used to download the forms: http://www.sahc.org.au/passports.htm I heard that it takes about 6 months from the date you send until you receive the passport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyebrow Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 What happens if you are in Aus with an expired passport? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanniewagnie Posted December 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 (edited) I'm not sure, but there are a lot of info on the link above, and if I remember correct you can send them a certified copy of either your passport, or your SA ID doc, or birth certificate to accompany your application. I'm sure they will be helpful if one phone them? Maybe I should too, for peace of mind... Contact Us South African High Commission address South African High Commission Corner State Circle and Rhodes Place Yarralumla 2600 ACT Australia Telephone +61 2 6272 7300 Fax +61 2 6273 1033 Political Matters: info.canberra@dirco.gov.za Consular Services: immigration.canberra@foreign.gov.za Trade Aspects: satrade@optusnet.com.au Business hours Monday to Friday: 8.30 a.m. - 1.00 p.m 1.45 p.m. - 5.00 p.m Consular enquiries Due to multiple variations with individual circumstances, please use the Consular email to request application forms. Please ensure your postal details are included. Telephone +61 2 6272 7300 Fax +61 2 6273 1033 Email immigration.canberra@foreign.gov.za Consular hours Monday to Friday: 8.30 a.m. - 1.00 p.m Trade enquiries Telephone +61 2 6272 7300 Fax +61 2 6273 4995 Email satrade@optusnet.com.au General enquiries For enquiries on passports, visas, birth certificates and other South African documents, please contact us on immigration.canberra@foreign.gov.za. Public Holidays The following public holidays will be observed by the Mission during the current year January to December 2015. The Mission will remain closed on the dates: 01/01/2015 (Thursday) 26/01/2015 (Monday) 03/04/2015 (Friday) 06/04/2015 (Monday) 27/04/2015 (Monday) 01/05/2015 (Friday) 08/06/2015 (Monday) 10/08/2015 (Monday) 28/09/2015 (Monday) 05/10/2015 (Monday) 16/12/2015 (Wednesday) 24/12/2015 to 03/01/2016 Mission reopens on 04/01/2016 Edited December 10, 2015 by Kanniewagnie To add info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BriD Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 We have just renewed my son's South African passport. I don't think the blue/black pen thing should be an issue. We sent it to Canberra at the end of August and I received his passport back at the beginning of October, so that was really good! I was impressed 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadEnoughofJuju Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 You can stay in Aus as long as you want with an expired passport as long as you have a valid visa, you obviously just cannot travel. Also remeber that once you have new passports you need to update Immi with the new numbers before you do travel. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterthe1 Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 On 10/12/2015 at 4:18 PM, Kanniewagnie said: My children's passports expires one of these days and so at last we've completed the forms, took the passport photo's went to the police station to get the signature and stamp of the Police Officer on the back of one of the photo's to confirm the images are those of the kids, get the Police Officer to complete the first page of the BI73 (they are under 16, so no fingerprints needed) and very chuffed with myself, got home to post it.... wait, oh what? Black pen? I am used to complete all forms in black, but here in Ozzieland, they don't mind blue or black and although the BI73 was completed by me in black, the portion that the Police Officer completed is in BLUE. Do you guys think I have to re-print, go back and get it done all over, or do you think the blue is OK? Urgh, I'll hate it that the applications be declined just because I was too lazy to go back to get it re-done. So please note, ASK the Police Officer to use a black pen. I've gotten into the habit of filling all official docs in black pen. That way nobody can complain and it's easier to scan/copy or even (this is old fashioned for the younger generation) fax them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanniewagnie Posted December 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 Peter, we always complete docs in black pen, but the Police Officer did not... and there was glass between us when she wrote on a desk lower than the service desk, so I only saw it when it was too late. It might be a good idea in future to take a black pen with you to the Police Station and ask them to use it, because in Australia black ink is not a legal issue as in South Africa. We've posted all the doc's (with blue and all) this morning to the South African High Commission and hope for the best... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPanda Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 I think the South Africans are just Vogons (especially those that work in state departments). That's my story, and I'm sticking to it... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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