Search Fees and Replacement Costs for a Zimbabwe National ID

When replacing a Zimbabwean National ID, the fees you pay depend on the type of ID you hold, whether you are resident in Zimbabwe or abroad, and how urgently you need the replacement. There is also a separate search fee that applies when the Registrar General's office needs to locate your records — and this is a cost many people overlook when budgeting for their application. **Search Fee** Yes, there is a search fee. The Registrar General charges US$2.00 (approximately 51 ZiG) to search ID records for any year or document entry. This fee applies when your records need to be located in the system before a replacement can be processed. If you are applying from the UK or elsewhere in the diaspora, it is worth factoring this into the total cost of your application. A separate, broader citizen records search costs US$10.00 (255 ZiG) per set of records searched. **Replacement ID Fees** The replacement fee varies depending on what type of ID you have and your residency status: - Replacement of a lost or torn paper ID document: US$5.00 (127 ZiG) - Urgent replacement of a lost or torn paper ID document: US$10.00 (255 ZiG) - Replacement of a lost or defaced metal or plastic ID (resident): US$10.00 (255 ZiG) - Replacement of a lost or defaced metal or plastic ID (non-resident): US$15.00 (382 ZiG) - Upgrading from a metal ID to a plastic ID (resident): US$20.00 (509 ZiG) - Upgrading from a metal ID to a plastic ID (non-resident): US$30.00 (764 ZiG) If your ID contains an error that was your fault, correction costs US$10.00 for a paper ID and US$25.00 for a plastic ID. All fees can be paid in USD or in ZiG at the prevailing exchange rate. The ZiG figures listed above were accurate at the time of publication but may change as exchange rates fluctuate — always confirm the current ZiG equivalent at the Registrar General's office on the day of your visit. **What You Need for a Replacement** To replace a lost ID, you will need: - Your original long birth certificate - A police report confirming the loss (obtained from your nearest police station in Zimbabwe) - A sworn affidavit - The applicable replacement fee Your presence in person is required for biometrics — photograph and fingerprints — so replacements cannot be completed purely by post or proxy. **Applying from the UK** If you are based in the UK, you can apply through the Zimbabwe Embassy in London. Processing times are longer than applying in-country, and the non-resident fee schedule applies. Contact the embassy directly to confirm current requirements and appointment procedures before travelling to submit your documents. **Processing Time** Standard processing takes four to six weeks once your application has been submitted. Urgent replacement options are available for lost or torn paper IDs at the higher fee noted above, though urgent processing timelines should be confirmed with the Registrar General's office directly. **Practical Tips** Fees at the Registrar General are subject to change. Always verify the current fee schedule before your visit or before sending money to a relative in Zimbabwe to cover costs on your behalf. Photocopying any document costs US$0.10 per page — a minor but worth-knowing detail if you need copies made at the office during your visit.