Replacing a Lost or Damaged Zimbabwe National ID: Fees, Search Charges, and What to Expect

Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged Zimbabwean national ID involves several official fees set by the government under Statutory Instrument 10 of 2024, titled the National Registration (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No. 18). These fees are denominated in US dollars, though residents in Zimbabwe may pay the equivalent in ZiG at the prevailing interbank rate. ## Is There a Search Fee? Yes. Under Statutory Instrument 8 of 2024 (Citizenship Amendment Regulations, 2024, No. 23), searching a set of records costs US$10, payable strictly in USD. This is a separate charge from the replacement fee itself and applies when the Registrar General's Department needs to locate your records before issuing a replacement document. ## Replacement Fees for Lost or Defaced IDs The fees for replacing a lost or defaced metal or synthetic polythene national ID are as follows: - **Resident (standard replacement):** US$10 or the ZiG equivalent at the interbank rate - **Non-resident (standard replacement):** US$15 - **Resident (urgent replacement):** US$20 - **Non-resident (urgent replacement):** US$30 If you currently hold the older metal ID and wish to upgrade to the newer synthetic polythene ID while still in possession of the original, that also costs US$20 for residents and US$30 for non-residents. ## What Documents Do You Need? To replace a lost national ID, you will typically need to present: 1. **Your long-form birth certificate** — the full birth certificate, not a certified copy 2. **A police report** — confirming that the ID was lost or stolen. This must be obtained from your local police station before approaching the Registrar General 3. **Proof of residence**, where applicable 4. **The applicable replacement fee** in USD or ZiG equivalent For those in the UK, the process is handled through the Zimbabwe Embassy in London. Contact the embassy in advance to confirm current documentation requirements, as these can be updated without wide notice. ## Other Relevant Fees to Be Aware Of - **Correction of errors made by the applicant** on a metal or synthetic ID: US$25 - **Correction of errors made by the Department**: Free of charge - **Change of name** (other than after marriage): US$25 - **Alteration of name** (other than after marriage): US$25 - **Photocopying** of documents: US$0.20 per page ## Notes for Diaspora Applicants If you are based in the UK and need to replace your Zimbabwean ID, the Zimbabwe Embassy in London (429 Strand, London WC2R 0JR) handles civil registration matters including national ID applications. Non-resident fees apply in this context, so budget accordingly — US$15 for standard replacement and US$30 for urgent processing. Always bring originals and certified copies of all supporting documents. Processing times at the embassy can vary, and some applications may need to be referred back to the Registrar General's Office in Harare, which can extend wait times significantly. ## Important Caveat on Fees The fees above were established under Statutory Instruments issued in January 2024. Zimbabwe's regulatory environment can change, and fees may be revised through new SIs without widespread media coverage. Before making any payment or travel arrangements, confirm current fees directly with the Registrar General's Department in Zimbabwe or the Zimbabwe Embassy in London.