Went in for biometrics at around 10:30am and the systems were offline. I was told I could come back later on in the day with the hope that the systems were back online. My ticket number from this morning was reinstated and I was in and out of there in under 20 minutes. My application was sorted. The staff were polite and assisted me efficiently.

Absolutely pathetic service taking nearly a year to get a marriage certificate with still ZERO resolution in sight. The backlog of queries must be absolutely monumental but no one goes faster than sloth-pace ever. Extremely accurate microcosm of the total collapse of the country as a whole.

Was at Home Affairs today 1pm. ID application, the process took less than 20mins..Staff work lunch hour and very professional. Its no suprising there are more ladies. Woman empowered and no doubt very responsible

Wednesday, 19 May 2021: Today I paid Home Affairs a visit to get a new passport. I ended up applying for a smart ID as well.I arrived exactly at 2pm and was out by 2:22pm! The offices were not too busy at this time. I found the staff friendly and informative. All I needed was my SA ID and R540 (R400 for the passport and R140 for my new ID), which I paid for by card. Their system is digital, so I didn’t have to fill in any hardcopy forms or submit photos. Everything was done for me. They also follow COVID-19 safety protocols.I was told I would receive a notification when my documents are ready for collection within three weeks. Will give an update after collection.Update 1 June 2021: I received an SMS six days later notifying me that my passport is ready. When I went in to collect it after 1pm on a Tuesday, the process took about 15 minutes.

Do not even bother going there, I repeat, DO not go there... The staff is rude and they definitely need training on Batho Pele Principle, they are a useless bunch😒😒 I hope the winning party will review some of these peoples contracts, i think its time proper management is done in these government institutions/ departmentsNo respect whatsoever

All the below reviews are bulls*. I have been standing in a queue for the gates to open since 5:30am. Its now 12:00pm and I am still in a queue that moves only every hour.If you have no choice but to come here. Dont bring your kids, bring a camping chair, the toilets are bad but if you really got to go bring toilet paper.Worst home affairs!!!!Update: only got into the building at 14:30pm the lady at booth 1 has no manners. The lady at counter 6 was very nice an finally done at 15:30. 10hours standing.

Service is amazing, efficient and done by highly competent staff. To get 2 passports and 2 IDs it took my family 27 minutes BUT the wait in the queue was 5.5 hours. As long as you are prepared and set aside the day, everything goes according to schedule.

The department of Home Affairs in Randburg their staff were amazing. I came ready and prepared to wait in the long queues. Come with your book, camping chair and packed lunch. Although I waited for 5 hours, once I got inside the staff were friendly, the process was so efficient and the whole Smart ID and passport took less than 30 minutes. This centre was organized and well mannered. I will definitely recommend people go to the Randburg Home affairs. Go early and just relax as you wait your turn.

Actually not bad, given its Home Affairs. Currently, they only let 5 people in at a time due to the pandemic but that makes it less crowded and more organized. The ticketing system works as it should and the customer service was acceptable. Our queuing time from beginning to end was 1h45m.

Quick and efficient. Go early. Thats my only advice.

Was in and out within 40 minutes. The lady who assisted us at temp IDs was great and very efficient. Unfortunately, card machine was not working.

Best experience I could have hoped for. We needed a passport for our daughter. Both of us and my daughter had to be present with our Ids and her birth certificate. They take her photo there and no forms need to filled in. It cost R400 and took about an hour.

Went to have my passport renewed on July 30, 2021. I arrived at around 6:45 and there were about 20-30 people in the queue in front of me. Take a book to read / fold-up chair and get comfy! at 8:30 they opened the gate and directed each person to their designated queue inside. At 9am the Home Affairs workers started their daily jobs and I was out of there by 9:40am. I expected to be for much longer so I was pleasantly surprised.Everything is digitized - no need to bring physical photos anymore. You dont even need to fill in a form, just bring your ID. They accepted card payments, but I paid cash. Better to take cash in the event that their machines dont work.Just 2 working days later (August 3, 2021) I received an SMS saying that my passport is ready for collection - great stuff!

Do you ever open at 8?Ive been here 3 times and everytime its 8:30Do better guys!

The ID application/collection staff is quite fast and efficient. Dont come with an attitude though. They are friendly and funny if you are also correspondingly friendly and funny.There was no queue when I went there at 2PM, was out within 15 mins

Most useless place.Unfriendly, unhelpfull extremely useless bunch of staff. Systems forvere offline. Waste of space and money. The government need to hire people that want to work not people that come to work just to say they offline. The staff makes you feel as there service is free and they can threat people as if they doing you a favour. Absolutely useless place.

Just off the main road, you will find the DHA for Randburg. Decent amount of parking. Two guards to scan and check incoming visitors. Some ancient playground equipment to keep the youngsters preoccupied. Today lines were very long. It requires, a lot of luck and good timing to choose a quiet time unfortunately. Once you ate inside the building, you progress to the various stations, almost like a video game, getting to higher stages till you meet the end boss, aka the payment stage. Once complete you can waive triumphantly your slip, proof of your victory. Adequate seating inside while you wait your turn. Public toilets available. There are a few outside benches to rest those tired legs, (with or without sunken arches). Smile at the staff and have kind words to them. It costs you nothing.

Extremely poor service . Been waiting for my sons unabridged birth certificate since November last year 2020. You call both the offices as well as their branch manager Herman Lehasa Lekalakala on his cell provided on the government website and your calls get cut . I have sent multiple emails , not one response . Either Covid has wiped out the entire Randburg office or no one cares about good business ethics and responds to your requests.Its a pity I cant post without giving a star rating because the service deserves nothing

Renewing my passport was effortless. The system works great. Just be patient. Only negative iI have is that at one time they allowed to many people into the room making it too crowded. Especially in these times.However went to go collect my passport today. Was in the queue for 2,5 hours. Was crazy slow.

The best home affairs ever. I was literally there for 46 minutes and I was done applying for the ID and passport. Well done to the team. Tip: Dont entertain the guys at the gate for photos, everything is done inside digitally. You do not need the photos..

The service here is pathetic. If they work any slower, they will be asleep. We waited in the queue for 4 hours before getting into the building. Then it took another 2 hours. They are very unfriendly. Terrible experience.

Lines are extremely long and still have to stand in a second line before getting what you need , no order with payments takes for ever for just pay

02 July 2021 I was assisted with getting my temporary ID document in less than 15 mins of arrival. No documents required, just R70 and my ID number. Was told to apply for my ID when we move to level 3 or level 2 of lockdown. Very efficient branch

Good old home affairs... 1 employee working, everyone else is on lunch. This is 2pm

Very impressed by this home affairs. Removed 1 star as the first time I went, I went at 7AM, waited for over an hour in the que to be told they were offline when they opened (just after 8AM). BUT I went again the next day at 2PM (called first to make sure they were online) and was in and out in 15 mins with passport and ID card application submitted and paid for. I took cash but they do accept card. 11 working days and my passport was ready for collection. Again, I went at 3:15PM and was out by 3:30 with my passport! I would definitely suggest going in the afternoon, dont waste your time waiting in the ques in the morning. They close at 3:30. [May/April 2021]

Best service. You just need to be 3 hrs early before they open so you can be in front queue. Most importantly, ask the guards for info so you can be in a correct queue my passport took 1 week now ready for collection. Only essential workers are attended to for passport, you need a letter proving that u are an essential worker

Really long queues. No preferential treatment for heavily pregnant women nor old people whom are standing for long periods alongside the rest of us. Online platform not supportive if this very manual process. Not sure if the Ministers attempts to appropriately resource these offices have been successful. Doesnt appear as such. I think a site visit from the DHA management team long overdue.

Applied for passport and the process was quick and organised, all the way from application through to collection. After two days of applying the passport was ready - great service!

I have been standing in a que for almost 2 hours without being sure if Im even in the right que. There is little to no moment and the only answer you get is that the system is offline. I have probably seen 2 people going in, in 2 hours. GET YOUR SYSTEM SORTED HOME AFFAIRS!!!!!!

What a pleasure! Staff were helpful, friendly, polite and efficient. Thank you. Keep it up.(P. S. I arrived at about 13h15, and was out in under an hour).

The best home affairs I have been to in Gauteng. Staff are efficient and friendly. Stood in line for about 90 minutes for a passport application and was in and out when I came to collect.

Horrible attitude and extremely disorganized. They don’t communicate to their customers. This branch opens when they want and 2 -3 times a week have “system issues”

Excellent service from Randburg. Even though they opened at 8.30 and not 08:00 we were out of there by 11. That for me is very impressive considering the fact that ID and passport applications had one queue.They are very organized. They could teach Roodepoort a thing or two.

Be prepared for a long process. The system went down every time we visited. Still trying to complete the process for a smart ID.

Are their opening times optional? 8 am its nearly 8:30. They also let people push in the line at the front.

The queues are always long, systems are usually down. It is recommended that you queue by 6:30 am which should help ensure that you are served by lunch time.

Stated to open at 8 but are not open, staff only arrive after 8. A complete waste of people time.

I went to pick up my marriage certificate, get a new IDand Passport at 12:00, only to find out I can get the marriage certificate however the lines are closed for ID and Passport applications.The security advised that the line closes for ID and Passport at 10:00 and I should come back tomorrow morning. ( Lines start at 06:00)🧐

First time I got there at 14h15 and told they were closed. Second time I got there at 13h30, waited in the queue for 2 hours, only to be told they were offline. The worst service ever! Staff unhelpful and unfriendly!

I would be very selfish if I DO NOT WRITE A REVIEW. THIS IS THE BEST HOME AFFAIRS I HAVE EVER BEEN TO. THE SERVICE IS EXCELLENT ,QUEES MOVES VERY FAST,THE TEAM THATS WORKS THERE IS FRIENDLY AND EASILY APPROACHABLE MORE ESPECIALLY THE MANAGER THERE DOESNT SIT IN THE OFFICE. USEBANTWINI UNGENA EBANTWINI UKHULUMA NABANTU. KEEP IT UP GUYS

Worst service I have ever experienced. Employees do not know there own procedures, they have terrible attitude towards customers and there systems are forever down.

The guys telling you you WILL need photos at the gate made me pay for photos I didnt need!!!! The line was VERY long. But once you get inside they are very organized and most staff were friendly except the cashier... very clean. Thank u.

Quick and easy stop. Only issue we had to pay cash otherwise would have given a five star.

Great service this morning at Randburg DHA. I arrived early 6am and was about 12th in the queue. Once they opened promptly at 8am I was done with a passport application in under 45 mins, staff were all very friendly and helpful. They are adhering to all COVID protocols.

Renewing my Passport. (23/02/2021)I needed to renew my passport which expired a few years ago.All I needed was my  ID document / Smart ID and R400 cash. I started queuing at 6:30 and was 12th in line. By 8:00 the queue had grown by 11 times since I was at the back of the queue.As I arrived, my hands were sanitized, I had to complete a health questionnaire and had to practice social distancing throughout the time during my visit. It was quite a quick process, the gate open at 8:00 and by 8:50, I was walking back out of the entrance gate. By this time I already received two SMSs and two emails confirming my application. :-)I found the staff to be professional and helpful.Hacks/Notes:Dont be fooled by photographers at the car entrance, telling you, you need to take ID photos. You dont need ID photos, everything is digital inside the office. Just take cash with you.Arrive early, as the sooner you arrive the sooner will be done. My hack, arrive before 6:30.Take a book with or keep yourself entertained on your mobile device.Be kind to the staff as they are there to help you. If you are kind they will be kind back to you. :-)Update: (25/02/2021)Got notice 24 hours later, that my passport was ready for collection!via SMS & email.

Very efficient and knowledgeable staff super organized. Im seriously impressed.

The customer service at this Home Affairs was surprisingly satisfactory! The staff from the security team at the gate to the till and birth certificate printing point were all helpful and professional although judgemental; which is usual and typical of public officials in South Africa. Imagine someone trying to pronounce your name and asking their colleague why people with weird names come here!!

Constantly offline. Telephone doesnt get answered. The list goes on. So sad to have incompetence of this magnitude.

Expected to take all day but by 12 noon was done and out ,service is proper and as per covid social distancing ques are strictly monitored .

Currently at your offices, system off line?

For those who would like a bit more clarity around the passport renewal process at the DoH, I have provided a more detailed review below of my most recent experience. You will need your green ID book or smart ID card and R400.I arrived outside the offices at 06:25 to apply for an urgent passport renewal. There were approximately 15 people ahead of me at my arrival time and security asked us to complete a Covid-19 questionnaire as well as taking our temperature to be recorded.The queue grew significantly after this time however, I would estimate around 80 people were present before the opening time at 08:30. After opening, a DoH official guided all morning entrants to their correct queues however, care needs to be taken at this point to keep your place, as many will press ahead to their queue without first consulting with the official.We were then informed that the queue number system was out of order and was being attended to by IT. I was part of the first group of applicants (approx. 10 people) who were ushered into the main office at 09:00 when the queue numbering system had been fixed.The first step in the process was a welcome desk where I had to explain my case to a DoH official who assessed my situation and thankfully granted me clearance to proceed with my application (you will need a compelling, supporting letter due to current Covid-19 related passport application restrictions).Thereafter, I was issued a queue number sticker and asked to wait my turn for digital photo taking on site. After my photos were taken, the next step was application processing with another DoH official where my personal details were checked; this was also called out on the digital queuing system.Finally, I was able to then pay at the cashier which was also called out on the automated queue system. I received a receipt with the details of my payment and told to wait for a text message for passport collection. I was finally able to leave at 10:20.Update: my passport was successfully processed within two days which was really quick however, I believe that the standard processing time is usually around 3-5 business days.

Always offline... one positive is there is a guy that stands at the entrance and tells you which line you need to be in. I guess that would help if they were online.

This place is very broken and disfunctional which sadly reflects the state of South Africa. Still havent been able to renew a passport after going there every day for 4 DAYS! It is unbelievable how many disintegrated computer systems that consistently collapse for hours at a time daily are required for this process!!!

Very long wait , but much quicker than other home affairs offices

Very inefficient. They dont answer the phones and when you physically go there and wait in long queues- the staff make you feel like they doing you a favour when they eventually see to you. Also systems are invariably down in which case you have to come back another day. Be prepared to waste a couple of hours or even days to get stuff sorted. Customer Service at its worst! Come on SA, have pride in your jobs!

System offline bs.. a good excuse to do nothing

The process is smooth but the only thing I would like consideration is finding better way for parents who need to get birth certificates because women who just gave birth have to stand for over 2 hours waiting for a birth certificate to be printed, mind you that some of them might have had c- sections, I had to stand there outside with my baby who was just 7 days old in the wind waiting, no where to seat. Something needs to be done.

The queues move quite quickly. Overall I had a great service on both my visits (smart ID and passport application)

Helpfull and fast

Long que even in December but faster than the rest of the year

My car was stolen from their parking lot. Watch out peeps

Long ques in the morning with only two people attending to the 6 counters and some confusion on where to go.

Always stupid busy but the staff try hard to help. Be prepared to wait and stay friendly, I feel they are doing their best.

The service is cool , their public toilets are not good at all 😔... there is no place to sit while you are waiting for the birth certificate to be printed...

I got there at 6am , there was already a line. There was plenty of parking. I suggest bringing some water , an umbrella and a hat as there is no shade in the parking lot. Once inside the staff guided us exactly where I needed to go. I got my smart id so it was painless once inside. I was done by 9:30 am. Also carry cash as the card facilities were not working .

Their system is efficient but obviously one can expect to wait.

Incompetence has a new meaning at Randburg Home Affairs.

The staff are polite, some are friendly, most are professional. The irony is the grounds are outdated as is the physical system. Sadly e-home affairs is still not online. It was a saving grace for the concept of Home Affairs as a service rather than a torture. The outdated system is not fair on the staff who do put in the effort, they are just overwhelmed by the mass of needs, and it is not fair for the citizen who tries to submit to and honour the countrys legal system.

My experience at the Randburg Home Affairs office has been extremely pleasant. After expecting a dreadful morning I was extremely surprised. The people treated me very respectfully and they were very helpful. Waiting times are also not bad at all. Thank you for the great service! Keep up the good work.Just another compliment to the staff at the Randburg Home Affairs office. I had such a pleasant experience going back there again today. Keep up the great work!

They one of the worst goverment departments. Disorganised uncaring unprofessional

If I could give a negative 5 stars I would!!! I have never met people as rude as that in my entire life. We all get it, you dont want to be there, well, neither does anyone else. The least you could do is be polite and make the experience a little more bearable! It looks like some reviewers were lucky to find some pleasant staff members, but one rotten apple spoils the bunch, unfortunately.

Took over ½ hour to actually open up and long queues with people stepping in line when they werent there. Workers are extremely rude.

Their service is absolutely appalling! I applied for my marriage certificate in May 2019, it is the 25 of September 2020 today and I still do not have my certificate. We cannot change IDs passports or banking details. I go there at least once a month and get told to come back next month every time.

Renewed ID & Passport - positive experience.Arrived at 6:30am-6:45am, gates opened at 8:00am, well organised and we moved through to the main area where the queue moved quite quickly and staff were helpful. Was finished by 8:45am and both the ID and passport were done within 10 business days.On collection arrived before 7:00am and was done by 8:30am.Just be aware that one Wednesday a month doors open an hour later due to staff monthly meeting (I think its the last Wednesday of the month).

This is why EVERYONE hates dealing with the SA Government. I got no help, was just sent up and down, up and down and in the end they refused to help me. I recently dealt with the Botswana Government, now that was an amazing experience, they treat you well, very respectful and they get the job done quickly.

Great service. Dont need your own ID photos (dont give money to the guys outside) as its all done there. Only need to do biometrics and pay to apply for a passport and Smart ID. Staff were super friendly and helpful, got the queue moving as quickly as they possibly could. Went in at about 11:30 and left just over an hour later, after applying for and picking up a death certificate as well.Dont use their toilets.

I needed an unabridged birth certificate we were directed to where we should be and everyone was helped. The Lady at the door (I forgot her name) was helpful and on her feet all the time.I applied and I was told I need to wait 8 to 12 weeks. A week after applying I got an sms from Randburg Home Affairs to say it was ready wow is this service or what?Thank you Home affairs Randburg !!!!

I visited the branch 11 February 2020. got there around 7:30 finished off by 11. que waiting was for about two hours and once you inside it wasnt bad. like the order at this branch .friendly staff . birth certificates and marriage certificates need a little more order though however overall experience wasnt bad

I have never seen such rude employees that suppose to be giving good customer service. I went there 3 times and not even once I got what I came for. Their system is always offline. Bad service. I will never go back there. People who have good experience from that place were very lucky to come across pleasant and polite employees.

Well organized and efficient. Once in and have a number done within an hour. Found staff friendly, well informed and helpful.Would be great if one could book time slots (certain number of bookings per hour) to avoid the long queue at entrance

Apparently the last Wednesday of every month it only opens at 9am.

The Home affairs office system seems to be a lot more streamlined. But it is still a good idea to get there early in the morning, before they open as they do stop letting people in if it gets too full. The last 2 times that I been there has not been bad - It was for a new ID application. They sent and SMS when it was ready. The collection process was also quick.

Mostly pleasant experience. Someone answered the phone when I had a query the say before which is rare and they were informative and helpful. I had to wait in long ques on the day but once inside they were helpful. Especially Poppy the manager. The security guard controlling the door needs to be more understanding and patient and the place needs a Coke machine when it nearly hits 40 degrees. But again mostly surprisingly pleasant

Its small, but works well. Good service received.

Only because there is no option for zero stars... After being told I could not enter because the parking area was full (when there were several open parking spaces), I queued from 07:00 and waited patiently for them to open at 08:00, only to be told that they were offline (a favourite word at these places). At 10:00, they were supposedly back online. Of course, the queue barely moved for the next three hours, but the offline delay did not stop the two workers manning the collections office from taking a 2-hour lunch break! When people complained, someone came out to inform us that their staff need to eat - what about the many people in the queue without food, in the hot sun, most of whom had taken the day off work or school just to be there? At 15:00, we were informed that they would be closing at 16:00 sharp. True to form, at 16:00 (by which point I was only a few metres away from the entrance), the door was promptly shut! A whole day wasted without a passport to show for it. The best part? The slogan outside said entrance: We care! Well, you have an interesting way of showing it! Disgusting!!

Kudos to a well oiled machine...Spent less than 2.5 hours altogether between applying and collecting. And to top it all, the whole process took less than a week. Help with a smile to boot. Well done Randburg Home Affairs

Staff is late opening up.Its raining, there are hundreds of people waiting outside, having queued for hours.

I am very impressed with the service and the order. I have never been to such efficient and effective branch. If there was a more rating Id add. Keep up the good work guys.

One of the most efficient, helpful and quick government offices Ive ever been to. Much more efficient and helpful than many European incl UK offices. Took my parents too. Special priority treatment to senior citizens and pensioners. 5 stars to Motleme photo booth gentleman(what a decent man!) and the lady (Hannah) and the gentleman (He is the main guy and very very helpful)at the reception. No nepotism just always see that the line seating is organised. Keep it up, you make us proud.

Marriage and Birth Certificate. Easy experience, friendly staff. Its was too easy though, no evidence was looked at...no id copies etc.

Absolutely fantastic service..... there was an administrative issue which was rectified, my application went without a hitch, there is also a card machine which is better than using cash.

It was so full, the queue was so long and moving slowly. The department officials kept moving people they knew to the front of the queue which was unfair. I spent 6 hours in the queue and 1 hour inside the offices once I was inside the process was quite quick and the staff were helpful and friendly, except the security lady with the blonde hair she was so rude to people and often spoke so loud and very unprofessional

Even though it took 6 hours to apply- loadshedding and slow systems. The staff were polite and smiling. I left after 4 and people were still being let in. All I can say is well done to the staff as it could not be easy dealing with irate people all day.

Not the best, but staff were more helpful than Roodepoort. Queues were shuffled faster by a lady who seemed keen to reduce the length. There was someone who wanted a bribe to get things done faster🙄

Always offline, and staff just dont bother to answer calls. Applied for ID and passport months ago. Went to collect, with no luck.Please replace staff. This is not a service citizens can do without.

On Friday 21/6/19, I accompanied my daughter to this establishment. What a nightmare! The lines were never ending......people were frustrated, kept , coming and going, in the hope that the situation would have improved, to no avail. When she finally made it into the building, it was even more frustrating! NO explanation as to what the reason was, for the hold up and lack of movement. Apply, pay, fingerprints done, then another two hour wait, on the cold steel benches...even the line by the CASHIER was a drag, based on a number/ticket system..like WHY??? Thats one window that shouldnt have a long line, if the system is online???what we did notice though that in the middle of attending to someone, the people on duty just disappear..no explanation.Window number one, the person there, just sat and showed their blatant lack of concern..eventually decided to work at a snails pace...After a more than two hour long wait, it took less than a second when at window...????Apparently the service speeds up when its closer to closing time....should the public then go there from 2 pm ???

This was n painless experience for applying for my new passport and ID I arrived very early 06:30am because I knew it will be busy. So dont only arrive at 8am because then you can only blame yourself. Take a camping chair, sunscreen and something to eat. As soon as the gates opened I entered and I was done by 9am with renewing my passport and ID. As long as you are well prepared it is not bad. I will provide an update on collections. Thank you for the service.

I got excellent courteous and efficient service last week when applying for a temporary and replacement ID. Well done to the deparment in Randburg.

You need to book off a whole week to come to home affairs to get anything done. Suggest arriving at 6am for the greatest chance of getting what you need. The system is constantly offline every single day and no one does anything about it.

In and out in less than an hour. Go in the afternoon when things are quiet. Friendly and helpful staff. Overall a great experience