Search Fees and Replacement Costs When Replacing a Zimbabwean National ID

When replacing a lost or damaged Zimbabwean national ID, the fees involved go beyond a simple replacement charge. Under Statutory Instrument 10 of 2024 — the National Registration (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No. 18) — the government set out a clear schedule of costs, including a separate search fee that applies when the Registrar-General's office needs to locate your existing records. **The Search Fee** Searching ID records — covering any year or any document entry or other record — costs US$2.00 (approximately 51 ZiG at the rates applicable when the SI was published). This fee is charged when the department needs to retrieve your registration details from its records, and it is separate from the actual replacement fee. If you are helping a family member process a replacement from the UK, this is a cost to factor in alongside the main replacement charge. **Replacement Fees by Document Type** The replacement fee varies depending on the type of ID document and whether you are a resident or non-resident: - Replacement of a lost or torn **paper ID document** (resident): US$5.00 - Urgent replacement of a lost or torn **paper ID document** (resident): US$10.00 - Replacement of a lost or defaced **metal or plastic (synthetic polythene) ID document** — resident: US$10.00 - Replacement of a lost or defaced **metal or plastic ID document** — non-resident: US$15.00 - Urgent replacement of a lost or defaced **metal or plastic ID document** — resident: US$20.00 - Urgent replacement of a lost or defaced **metal or plastic ID document** — non-resident: US$30.00 The non-resident rate applies to Zimbabweans living abroad, which is directly relevant to diaspora members in the UK who may be returning to Zimbabwe to process their own documents, or arranging replacements for family members back home. **Upgrading from Metal to Plastic ID** For those who still hold the older metal ID and wish to switch to the newer plastic (synthetic polythene) format while the metal card is still in their possession: - Resident: US$20.00 - Non-resident: US$30.00 **Correcting Errors on an ID** If there is an error on the document itself, correction fees differ by document type: - Correction of an error on a paper ID (where the error was made by the applicant): US$10.00 - Correction of an error on a plastic ID (where the error was made by the applicant): US$25.00 Errors originating from the department itself are corrected at no charge. **Additional Related Costs** For completeness, other registration-related fees under the same SI framework include: - Fingerprint clearance: US$1.00 - Urgent fingerprint clearance: US$5.00 - Initial registration for persons aged 16–18: free - Initial registration for persons above 18 years: US$2.00 **Payment Currency** All fees are payable in US dollars or the ZiG equivalent at the prevailing interbank rate at the time of payment. When assisting family in Zimbabwe, it is worth confirming the current ZiG equivalent with the Registrar-General's office, as the interbank rate changes regularly. **Practical Notes for Diaspora** If you are coordinating a replacement from the UK on behalf of a relative in Zimbabwe, the total outlay for a standard replacement of a lost plastic ID — including the search fee — is US$12.00 for a resident. For an urgent replacement, that rises to US$22.00. Non-residents handling their own replacement in person should budget US$17.00 for standard processing or US$32.00 on an urgent basis. These fees were introduced under SI 10 of 2024 and reflect the position as of early 2024; always verify current rates directly with the Registrar-General's office before travelling or sending money for this purpose.