How to get or renew an Ethiopian passport
Applications and renewals go through the official Immigration and Citizenship Service portal. Here is the whole journey, from registration to collecting the booklet.
This site does not process applications. The only official place to apply is ethiopianpassportservices.gov.et. Ignore any other site, agent or broker offering to apply for you.
Registering a new passport
- Open the official portal and choose New Passport. Fill in your details exactly as they appear on your kebele ID or birth certificate — spelling differences cause rejections.
- Choose the branch office where you will give fingerprints and a photo, and pick an available appointment date.
- Pay the fee through one of the payment options the portal offers, and keep the confirmation.
- Attend the appointment with your original documents. You will be given a receipt with your application number — keep it safe; it is what you use to track collection.
Renewing or replacing an old passport
- Bring the old passport to your appointment. It is cancelled and handled as the office directs.
- If the passport was lost or stolen, a police report is required and extra verification can add time.
- If it expired many years ago, be ready to prove identity afresh with your kebele ID or birth certificate.
Ethiopian passports are not extended — renewal means a new booklet is issued. It uses the same portal, under the renewal / replacement option.
Documents to prepare
- Kebele / national ID or birth certificate
- The old passport, for renewals
- A police report, for lost or stolen passports
- Your appointment confirmation and payment receipt
Requirements change. The portal shows the current list for your application type before you book — trust that over any forwarded message.
Fees and processing time
Fees depend on booklet size and on whether you choose the regular or the urgent service, and they change over time — the portal shows the current amount before you pay. The official urgent service is the only legitimate way to get a passport faster; anyone else selling speed is a scam.
After you apply: tracking collection
When your booklet has been printed and sent to your chosen office, your application number appears on a published collection list. That is where this site helps — check your number on the home page, and read the collecting guide for what to bring.
Stuck at any step?
Ask in our Telegram group — members go through this exact process every day and share what worked at their branch.