How to Obtain a Cameroonian Passport 2025 Guide

Complete Guide: How to Get a Cameroonian Passport in 2025

Getting a Cameroonian biometric passport in 2025 is much simpler than it used to be—everything starts online on PASSCAM (the DGSN’s official portal), then you complete biometric enrollment at a police passport center in Cameroon or at a Cameroonian embassy/consulate abroad. This guide covers passport types, eligibility, documents, step-by-step process (online & in-person), updated fees, payments, timelines, mistakes to avoid, and FAQs—with official links throughout.

At a glance (2025 updates)

Apply online only via PASSCAM; appointments are booked inside your pre-enrolment. Payments for the passport are made online on PASSCAM (not at police stations/embassies). (portal.passcam.cm)

Standard fee: 110,000 XAF (same worldwide; embassies may add small local fees for document legalization/consular services). (cameroonhighcommission.co.uk)

Processing target: Production within 48 hours after biometric enrollment/validation in Cameroon; abroad, add shipping time to/from the mission. (Laxton)

DGSN continues to streamline identity services. If you have double-identity or filiation issues, see the January 10, 2025 DGSN communiqué for how to regularize before applying. (DGSN)

 

1) Passport types & validity

Ordinary (30 pages) – for all eligible citizens; valid 5 years. Yafon Global

Service passport – for certain public officials on official travel (enrolled via DGSN/MINAT/MINREX channels). 

Diplomatic passport – for high-ranking officials/diplomatic personnel (enrollment centers designated by MINREX/DGSN).

All application types (ordinary/renewal/lost/diplomatic/service) begin with PASSCAM pre-enrolment. (consulacamparis.org)

 

2) Eligibility

Cameroonian nationality (by birth or naturalization).

A National ID Card (CNI) number is requested during pre-enrolment; if yours is not available/valid, the portal allows a temporary option (then you’ll prove identity with other documents at enrollment). (Cameroon Embassy USA)

Minors: apply with a parent/guardian and provide additional documents/consents (see below). (Haut-commissariat Cameroun Ottawa)

 

3) Required documents (by situation)

Bring originals + photocopies to biometric enrollment. The PASSCAM portal or your embassy will confirm your personalized list after pre-enrolment.

A. First-time/ordinary passport (adult)

• Birth certificate (original + copy). (Haut-commissariat Cameroun Ottawa)
• National ID Card (CNI) or proof per portal instructions if pending. (Cameroon Embassy USA)
• Proof of profession/residence as requested by the portal (varies). (Portal checklist.) (portal.passcam.cm)

B. Renewal

• Previous passport (original) + copy. (Haut-commissariat Cameroun Ottawa)

C. Lost or stolen passport

Police certificate of loss/theft from the place of incident + copy of the lost passport (if available). (Haut-commissariat Cameroun Ottawa)

D. Change of name (marriage/divorce)

Supporting civil status document (marriage certificate, court judgment, etc.). (Haut-commissariat Cameroun Ottawa)

E. Minors (under 21 as commonly required by missions)

• Child’s birth certificate.
• Copies of both parents’ IDs (or legal guardian’s).
• Parental authorization (when only one parent appears). Embassy checklists spell these out. (Haut-commissariat Cameroun Ottawa)

F. Applicants abroad (diaspora)

Same core documents as above plus embassy-specific items (e.g., consular card, proof of status in host country, prepaid return envelope, etc.—varies by mission). See your mission’s page for its exact list. (Haut-commissariat Cameroun Ottawa)

4) Fees & how to pay (2025)

Standard passport fee: 110,000 XAF (paid online during PASSCAM pre-enrolment). (cameroonhighcommission.co.uk)

Accepted payment methods on PASSCAM: Visa/Mastercard, MTN Mobile Money, Orange Money, Express Union, Yoomee, and other locally supported options. (Card & Mobile Money availability can vary by country.) Cameroon Embassy USA

Embassy add-ons: Some missions charge local fees for legalization/certification (e.g., London: £20 per document). These are separate from the 110,000 XAF and are paid at the mission if applicable. 

Official payment happens only on PASSCAM—avoid third parties asking you to pay elsewhere for the passport fee. (consulacamparis.org)

 

5) Step-by-step application

A) Online pre-enrolment (everyone starts here)

• Go to PASSCAM and sign in with phone or email (one-time code). (portal.passcam.cm)
• Choose “New Application”, fill the form (CNI number if you have it; otherwise follow the portal’s instruction). (Cameroon Embassy USA)
• Pay 110,000 XAF online on the portal and save/print the receipt. (cameroonhighcommission.co.uk
• Book your appointment slot for biometric enrollment at your chosen center (in Cameroon) or at your embassy/consulate abroad. (Haut-commissariat Cameroun Ottawa)
• Download/print the pre-enrolment PDF (it’s also emailed to you). (Embassy of Cameroon in Japan)

B) Biometric enrollment (in person)

In Cameroon: Go to your selected DGSN enrollment center on the booked date with your documents + PASSCAM sheet. Your biometrics (photo, fingerprints, signature) will be captured; your file is transmitted to the central production center. (DGSN)

Abroad (diaspora): Attend your appointment at the embassy/consulate named in your booking (some missions require you to email or mail copies in advance—follow your mission’s page). After enrollment, the passport is produced in Cameroon then sent back to the mission for pickup or mailing. (Haut-commissariat Cameroun Ottawa)

6) Processing timelines (what to expect)

Inside Cameroon: The system is engineered for 48-hour production after successful enrollment/validation; pick-up notifications come by email/SMS from PASSCAM. (Collection procedures vary by center.) (Laxton)

Abroad: Production is still fast, but your total timeline depends on diplomatic pouch/courier cycles. Missions note production in 48 hours then transport & hand-over—expect about 1–3 weeks in many cases. Check your mission’s guidance. (Haut-commissariat Cameroun Ottawa)

 

7) Common mistakes to avoid (save yourself delays)

Using unofficial sites/agents. Only use PASSCAM for pre-enrolment, payment, and appointments. (consulacamparis.org)

Name/identity mismatches between your birth certificate, CNI, and previous passport. Resolve double-identity/filiation issues with DGSN before applying. (DGSN)

Expired or missing civil status documents (e.g., using an old extract instead of a certified full birth certificate when required by your mission). Embassy checklists are strict. 

Not printing/saving your PASSCAM receipt and pre-enrolment PDF. You’ll be asked for them at enrollment. (Embassy of Cameroon in Japan)

Choosing the wrong mission/center or missing your slot. Some missions allow changing an appointment once up to 24 hours before—otherwise you’ll need to rebook. (Haut-commissariat Cameroun Ottawa)

Assuming you can pay the 110,000 XAF at the desk. Payment of the passport fee is online only on PASSCAM.

8) Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Q1: Where do I start my application?
On the PASSCAM portal. That’s where you pre-enrol, pay, and book your appointment. (portal.passcam.cm)

Q2: How much does it cost?
110,000 XAF for the standard passport (paid online on PASSCAM). Missions abroad may charge small local fees for legalization/consular services (separate from the passport fee). (cameroonhighcommission.co.uk)

Q3: What payment methods are accepted?
Visa/Mastercard (debit/credit), MTN Mobile Money, Orange Money, Express Union, Yoomee—availability depends on where you are. (Cameroon Embassy USA)

Q4: How long does it take?
In Cameroon, production is targeted at 48 hours after biometric enrollment/validation; abroad, add mailing time between the mission and Cameroon. Watch for PASSCAM email/SMS collection notices. (Laxton)

Q5: I don’t have my CNI yet—can I still pre-enrol?
Yes. The portal allows a temporary option; you’ll provide alternative proofs at enrollment per instructions. (Cameroon Embassy USA)

Q6: What if my passport was lost or stolen?
File a police loss/theft certificate and include it with your application. (Haut-commissariat Cameroun Ottawa)

Q7: Do minors need both parents present?
Follow your mission/center’s instructions; typically you’ll provide the child’s documents plus parental IDs and authorization if only one parent appears. (Haut-commissariat Cameroun Ottawa)

Q8: Who do I contact if I have issues with pre-enrolment/payment or want to change my appointment?
Use the PASSCAM “Help/Contact” on the portal; for appointment changes, some missions allow one change at least 24 hours before the slot. (Embassy of Cameroon in Japan)

Q9: Is there an official helpline?
DGSN lists contact options on its website and public hotlines; it also links directly to PASSCAM and a Passport FAQ. (DGSN)

 
Notes on the 2025 context

The 110,000 XAF online payment and 48-hour production target remain the core features of Cameroon’s biometric passport system in 2025, with identity-services modernization continuing (e.g., parallel upgrades to the national ID process). (augentic.com)

DGSN published a January 10, 2025 communiqué addressing double-identity/filiation problems—resolve such issues early to avoid passport delays. (DGSN)

Also Read >>: What is the age limit for joining the gendarmerie and police in Cameroon?