The Civil Registry Department (CRD) of Zimbabwe is set to launch an advanced online platform that will enable citizens to apply for passports and national identity cards conveniently. Expected to go live before the end of the year, this initiative marks a significant digital transformation in civic services.
Key to this initiative is the Zimbabwe Population Registry System (ZPRS), scheduled for unveiling next month. The ZPRS will serve as a centralized database for citizens’ demographic information, linking various government departments for seamless birth and death registrations. Currently undergoing final testing, the system is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to ensure efficient data management.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe announced that the online passport application platform, part of the Electronic Document and Records Management System, will be operational by the end of 2024. This system will streamline the application process, allowing users to create accounts, fill electronic forms, upload necessary documents, and make payments online. A tracking system will enable applicants to monitor their application status and schedule appointments for biometric data capture or document verification.
Registrar-General Henry Machiri emphasized that the online platform aims to enhance accessibility to civic documents while acknowledging the need to resolve payment processing and other logistical challenges.
The government has also expanded its e-passport services, establishing a center in Johannesburg, South Africa, with plans for additional centers in the United Kingdom and the United States. In Zimbabwe, e-passport offices have issued over 100,000 travel documents since their introduction in January 2022. New centers are slated to open in Gokwe South district and Mutare this year, enhancing accessibility to passport services nationwide.
