Renewing a Ghana passport is not the same as applying for a new one. The process is simpler—your previous data is often pre-filled, and you do not need to start from scratch. But the strict requirements remain: two guarantors, a professional witness, and an in-person appointment for biometric capture. Here is the complete ASJ guide to renewing your passport, whether you are in Ghana or abroad.
Who Needs to Renew?
You need to renew your Ghana passport if it has expired, is about to expire, or has exhausted pages. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises starting the renewal process before your current passport expires to avoid any gap in validity .
If your passport is lost, stolen, or damaged, the process is different. You must report the loss to the police and obtain a police report before applying. For a lost or stolen passport, a police report and a sworn affidavit are mandatory.
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The Fees
In Ghana
The standard fee for a Ghanaian passport is GH¢350 for the 32-page booklet. This was reduced from GH¢500 in a reform aimed at making passports more affordable . A one-day emergency service is available for GH¢2,000, reserved for urgent cases such as medical travel or last-minute business trips.
Abroad
Fees at Ghanaian missions vary by country and currency. Examples include:
| Mission | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|
| Ghana Embassy, Washington DC | USD 130 |
| Ghana Embassy, Japan | USD 130 |
| Ghana Embassy, Brussels | €120 |
| Ghana Embassy, Denmark | DKK 1,300 |
Important: All passport fees are non-refundable once paid, including for incomplete or withdrawn applications .
The Requirements
Core Documents
Whether you are renewing in Ghana or abroad, the following are required :
-
Printed and signed online application form
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Birth Certificate
-
Ghana Card (National ID)
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Processing fee payment receipt
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Old passport (the expired or exhausted passport)
Guarantors and Witness
The guarantor and witness requirements are strict and apply to renewals as well.
Two Guarantors: They must be at least 18 years old, have known you for at least two years, and may be relatives. They can live in Ghana or your country of residence. By their undertaking, they are deemed to have agreed jointly and severally to pay expenses incurred by the government if you are repatriated or die abroad.
One Professional Witness: This person cannot be the same as your guarantors and must have known you for at least two years. Acceptable professions include senior clergy, commissioned military officers (Captain and above), senior police/immigration/customs/fire officers, senior civil servants, registered medical practitioners, solicitors or barristers, and heads of recognised educational institutions. The witness must sign and stamp your application form
Additional Documents
For minors: Parents or legal guardians must accompany the minor. A copy of the parent/guardian’s Ghana Card or Passport is required. A Parental Consent Form is required if a parent or guardian is not accompanying the minor; it is not required if both parents attend in person .
For name changes: A Gazette Notification and an affidavit are required. For a complete change of name, a police clearance certificate may also be required.
The Process: Step by Step
Step 1: Log In and Start a Renewal
Go to the official passport portal at passport.mfa.gov.gh . Log into your existing account. If you do not have an account, you will need to create one.
Click “Start New Application” and select “RENEW” as your application type .
Step 2: Enter Your Old Passport Number
You will be prompted to enter your old passport number. Some of your previous information may be pre-filled, which simplifies the process .
Step 3: Complete the Form and Upload a Photo
Complete the remaining fields. Upload a recent photo against a white background. Your full face, forehead, and ears must be visible. No eyewear, large earrings, or decorative headgear is allowed. Religious headwear is permitted. Physical passport photos are not required—a photo will also be taken at your appointment.
Step 4: Select Service Type and Pay
Choose your service type (standard or emergency) and pay the fee online using a debit or credit card. Cash is not accepted at any mission or centre .
Step 5: Book Your Appointment
Select an appointment date and time at your preferred Passport Application Centre (PAC) for in-person vetting and biometric capture.
If you miss your appointment, you have up to 72 hours to visit the PAC; otherwise, you must reschedule .
Step 6: Attend Your Appointment
Bring the original documents listed above, including your old passport, Birth Certificate, Ghana Card, and printed application form. Do not wear white to your appointment .
All applicants, including children, must attend in person for biometric capture .
Step 7: Track and Collect
You can monitor your application status through your account dashboard. The statuses progress through: Form Completed, Received at PAC, Enrolment Complete, Approved for Printing, and Ready for Collection.
In Ghana, standard processing is under 15 days, and passports are delivered by courier to your doorstep at no extra charge. Abroad, processing typically takes 6 to 8 weeks from the date of biometric capture .
Renewing from Abroad
The process is largely the same, but there are additional requirements at many missions.
Prepaid return envelope: Most missions require a self-addressed, prepaid return envelope with tracking, so your new passport can be mailed to you .
Payment in local currency: Fees are set by each mission and paid online. Cash is not accepted .
Witness residency: The professional witness should be resident in your country of residence and ideally Ghanaian. Some missions allow a registered local professional if a Ghanaian witness is not available .
Processing time: Allow 6 to 8 weeks from biometric capture. The 15-day processing period applies only to applicants in Ghana.
Quick Facts
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard Fee (Ghana) | GH¢350 |
| Emergency Fee (Ghana) | GH¢2,000 |
| Processing (Ghana) | Under 15 days |
| Processing (Abroad) | 6–8 weeks |
| Portal | passport.mfa.gov.gh |
| Guarantors | 2 required |
| Witness | 1 professional required |
| Payment | Online only; no cash |
| Refund Policy | Non-refundable |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I renew my Ghana passport?
Log into the passport portal at passport.mfa.gov.gh, start a new application, select “RENEW,” enter your old passport number, complete the form, pay online, and book an appointment for biometric capture .
2. How much does it cost to renew a Ghana passport?
In Ghana, the standard fee is GH¢350 for the 32-page booklet. Abroad, fees vary: USD 130 in Washington and Japan, €120 in Brussels, DKK 1,300 in Denmark .
3. What documents do I need to renew my Ghana passport?
Printed and signed application form, Birth Certificate, Ghana Card, old passport, and payment receipt. Two guarantors and one professional witness are also required .
4. Do I need guarantors to renew my passport?
Yes. Two guarantors who are at least 18, have known you for two years, and may be relatives are required .
5. Who can be a witness for a Ghana passport renewal?
One professional who has known you for two years and is not a guarantor. Acceptable professions include clergy, military officers, police officers, civil servants, doctors, lawyers, and heads of schools .
6. How long does passport renewal take in Ghana?
Standard processing is under 15 days. Passports are delivered by courier to your doorstep at no extra charge.
7. How long does renewal take abroad?
Allow 6 to 8 weeks from the date of biometric capture. The 15-day processing period applies only to applicants in Ghana.
8. Can I renew my passport if it is lost or stolen?
Yes, but the process is different. You must report the loss to the police and obtain a police report. Then apply online, selecting “MISSING_OR_DAMAGED,” and upload the police report and affidavit.
9. Are passport renewal fees refundable?
No. All passport fees are non-refundable once paid, including for incomplete or withdrawn applications .
10. Do I need to wear anything specific to my appointment?
Do not wear white .
11. Can I renew my passport from abroad?
Yes. The process is similar, but most missions require a prepaid, self-addressed return envelope with tracking. Payment is online only .
12. What if my appointment is missed?
You have up to 72 hours to visit the PAC; otherwise, you must reschedule
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on October 27, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.







