Where to apply and getting started
You can now apply for a Zambian passport online through ZamPortal (using your ZamPass account) or in person at a passport office, DNRPC office, or Zambian mission abroad. The Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship (DNRPC) in the Ministry of Home Affairs handles all passport applications [Passport Act No. 28 of 2016].
What you need to bring
You must have a valid National Registration Card (NRC) - this is mandatory and you cannot get a passport without it. You will also need your full birth certificate, passport photos (full face, both ears visible, no headgear unless religious), and the application form signed by a person of standing who has known you for at least 2 years. If you lost a previous passport, bring a police report.
The process
If you apply online, complete your application on ZamPortal, upload your documents, and pay by card or mobile money. However, you must then attend a passport office in person for biometric enrolment (fingerprints and photograph) - this is mandatory even for online applications. Processing takes about 14 days in Lusaka, Ndola, and Livingstone, and about 21 days in other provincial capitals. After that, you can track your application and collect your passport.
Fees
Passport fees vary by type (32-page, 48-page, and express options). Please confirm the current fee on ZamPortal before applying, as amounts are not consistently published online. Applications at missions abroad commonly cost around US$100.