Zimbabwe National ID Replacement: Search Fees and Full Cost Breakdown

When replacing a lost or damaged Zimbabwean national ID, there is indeed a search fee involved — and understanding the full schedule of charges helps avoid surprises at the Registrar General's office. Under Statutory Instrument 10 of 2024 (National Registration (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024, No. 18), the Zimbabwe government introduced a clear USD-denominated fee structure for all national registration services. These fees apply whether you are applying from within Zimbabwe or from abroad. **Search Fee** Searching ID records for any year, document entry, or other record costs US$2.00 (approximately 51 ZiG at the time of the regulation). This is a separate charge from the replacement fee itself and covers the administrative process of locating your records in the national registry. If you need to search a full set of citizen records, that carries a higher fee of US$10.00 (255 ZiG), which typically applies to citizenship-related queries rather than a standard ID replacement. **Replacement Fees for Lost or Damaged IDs** The replacement fee depends on the type of ID document and whether you are a resident or non-resident: - Replacement of lost or torn paper ID document: US$5.00 (127 ZiG) - Urgent replacement of lost or torn paper ID document: US$10.00 (255 ZiG) - Replacement of lost or defaced metal or plastic ID (resident): US$10.00 (255 ZiG) - Replacement of lost or defaced metal or plastic ID (non-resident): US$15.00 (382 ZiG) - Urgent replacement of metal or plastic ID (resident): US$20.00 - Urgent replacement of metal or plastic ID (non-resident): US$30.00 For diaspora members in the UK applying as non-residents, the standard replacement fee is therefore US$15.00 for a plastic or metal ID, or US$10.00 for the older paper-format documents. **Other Relevant Fees in the Same Process** Depending on your circumstances, additional charges may apply: - Correction of an error on a plastic ID (applicant's fault): US$25.00 - Correction of an error on a paper ID (applicant's fault): US$10.00 - Fingerprint clearance: US$1.00 - Urgent fingerprint clearance: US$5.00 **Payment Currency** Fees can be paid in USD or in ZiG (Zimbabwe Gold) at the prevailing interbank rate. Some fees — particularly citizenship-related ones — are strictly USD only. It is worth confirming the accepted payment method at the specific office before your visit, as this can vary. **What You Need for a Replacement** Before attending the Registrar General's office, you will need: - A police report confirming the loss of your ID - An affidavit (sworn statement) - Your original long birth certificate - Any other supporting documents relevant to your identity For those in the UK, replacement applications can be initiated through the Zimbabwe Embassy in London, though processing times tend to be longer than applying in person in Zimbabwe. Contact the embassy directly to confirm current requirements and whether fees differ for embassy-processed applications. **Processing Time** Standard processing takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks. Urgent processing is available at the higher fee rates listed above, though timelines for urgent applications should be confirmed at the point of application. Fee schedules can change through new Statutory Instruments, so always verify the current charges directly with the Registrar General's office or the Zimbabwe Embassy before making any payment.