Okay, here’s the blog post about buying a Zimbabwean passport, written in the style you requested:
Alright, so I needed to get myself a new passport, a Zimbabwean one. I heard they have these new e-passports now, so I figured I’d go for that. It is necessary for me to travel internationally. First thing I did was try to find out what exactly I needed for the application. Turns out, the process of obtaining a passport involves several steps. I found some info online that said for adults, you gotta bring your original birth certificate, your national ID, and your old passport if you’ve got one. Also, I need to take the marriage certificate or divorce certificate if it is available. And of course, you need some cash.
The site I found mentioned you need $120 in US dollars, $20 for the application fee and another $100 for the passport itself. They call it an “e-passport,” sounds fancy, right? I made sure to get all my documents in order, birth certificate, ID, all that jazz. I even went and got some fresh passport photos taken, just to be safe. Don’t want any hiccups at the passport office, you know?
Next, I had to find out where to actually apply. Luckily, I have a friend who works for the government, so I asked her. She told me the main passport office in Harare is the place to go. But, she also mentioned there are a few other centers opening up in other cities. I decided to go to the Harare one since it’s the most established.
I went there early one morning, thinking I’d beat the crowd. Boy, was I wrong. The line was already snaking around the block! I ended up waiting for almost three hours just to get inside. Once I got in, I had to fill out some forms, hand over my documents, and pay the fees. The whole process inside took another hour or so.
They told me the e-passport takes about 7 working days to process. But my friend, the one who works for the government, she told me it might take longer sometimes. So I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn’t take too long. I’ve got a trip planned soon, and I really need that new passport!
Here’s what I learned from the whole experience:
- Get your documents in order beforehand. Make sure you have everything they require.
- Bring the right amount of cash, and make sure it’s in US dollars.
- Go early, but be prepared to wait. Those lines can be crazy long.
- The e-passport is supposed to take about 7 days, but it could take longer.
Update after 7 working days
Finally I got my new e-passport today. I went to the passport office to collect it. I am so exciting that I can make my trip now.
Anyway, that’s my story of getting a Zimbabwean e-passport. Hopefully, this helps someone out there who’s planning to go through the same process. It’s not too bad, just be prepared for some waiting!
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