Quick Facts

• Two routes exist: the Home Affairs Digital Partnership walk-in at Capitec and Standard Bank branches (replacements and green-book swaps only), and the older eHomeAffairs book-and-pay portal with biometrics at a small set of specialised bank offices
• Home Affairs Smart ID fee: R140. A bank may add a convenience fee — Capitec has published a R10 service fee on this route (R150 total there)
• On the Digital Partnership route, bank staff capture your fingerprints and photo; first-time IDs must still be done at a Home Affairs office
• Green ID books will be phased out by 2027-2029

What is a Smart ID Card?

A Smart ID card is the new South African identity document. It replaces the old green ID book.

The card is the size of a bank card. It has a computer chip inside that stores your information safely. Your fingerprints, photo, and personal details are all on this chip.

The card is much harder to copy or fake than the old green ID book. This helps protect you from identity theft.

✅ Why You Should Change from Green ID Book

Important: The Department of Home Affairs plans to stop making green ID books by 2027. They will become invalid by 2029.

Security reasons: Green ID books are easy to copy and fake. Criminals use fake IDs to steal people’s identities and get loans in their names.

The numbers: Green ID books are 500% more likely to be used for fraud than Smart ID cards. In 2023, 34% of all ID fraud in South Africa involved green ID books.

Getting your Smart ID card now means you avoid the rush. As 2027 gets closer, Home Affairs offices will be very busy.

Who Can Apply Online?

You can apply online if you are:

• A South African citizen by birth – You were born in South Africa
• 16 years or older – Younger people need a parent or guardian with them
• Have a cellphone number – You will get an OTP (one-time pin) on your phone

Note: Permanent residents and naturalised citizens cannot yet apply online. Home Affairs says this will change by the end of 2025. For now, they must visit a Home Affairs office directly.

Step-by-Step: the older eHomeAffairs portal route

The steps below describe the older eHomeAffairs book-and-pay route, where you apply and pay on the portal and then have your biometrics taken at one of a small number of specialised bank offices. This is not the Capitec/Standard Bank Digital Partnership walk-in, which needs no portal booking but is limited to replacements and green-book swaps for that bank’s own customers.

💰 Costs and Fees

What you pay: the Home Affairs Smart ID fee is R140 on current DHA information. A bank may add its own convenience fee on top — that is not automatically a scam. Capitec has published a R10 service fee on this route (about R150 in total there). Confirm the current amount on that bank’s own page before you go.

Documents You Need

Digital Partnership bank walk-in: no documents are needed for that bank replacement route — your details are already on the Home Affairs system and bank staff capture your biometrics in branch. The document lists below apply to the older eHomeAffairs portal route and to Home Affairs office visits.

For First-Time Applicants (Ages 16-18) — at a Home Affairs office, not a bank:

First-time Smart IDs are not issued at bank branches. Apply in person at a Home Affairs office. Take your birth certificate, a parent or guardian’s ID, and any supporting documents that office asks for; a parent or guardian should come with you.

For Adults Replacing Green ID Book:

• Your green bar-coded ID book (the original)
• Proof of address (water/electricity bill, bank statement, lease agreement)
• Marriage certificate (if you got married and changed your name)
• Divorce decree (if you got divorced and changed your name)

For Lost or Stolen ID:

• Police affidavit (report from the police station)
• Proof of address
• Your birth certificate (if available)

✅ Which Banks Can You Visit?

Which branches offer which service changes often, so we do not publish a branch count here. Use the official Department of Home Affairs bank locator at dha.gov.za/banks to find a participating branch near you, and check that bank’s own page before travelling.

Two different things: on the Digital Partnership walk-in (Capitec, Standard Bank, and some FNB replacements) you are served as a customer of that bank — Capitec and Standard Bank both require you to have an account with them, or to open one — and only Smart ID replacements and green-book swaps are done. First-time IDs are not issued at banks; go to a Home Affairs office. The older eHomeAffairs portal route is booked and paid online, with biometrics at a small set of specialised bank offices.

See our guide to Smart ID at banks in South Africa and our Capitec Smart ID guide.

🚨 Avoid Smart ID Scams

Be careful! Criminals try to trick people applying for Smart IDs. Here’s how to stay safe:

Common Scams:

• Fake “helpers” at Home Affairs: People offer to “speed up” your application for money. Never pay anyone extra.
• Fake SMS messages: You get an SMS saying your application failed and asking you to click a link or call a number.
• Fake websites: Websites that look like eHomeAffairs but have slightly different web addresses.
• “Express service” scams: Someone promises to get your Smart ID in 1 week if you pay extra money.
• ID theft after application: Criminals steal people’s information while they wait for their Smart ID.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Only use the official website: https://ehome.dha.gov.za
• Never pay cash to “helpers” or individuals. A bank’s own published convenience fee (for example Capitec’s R10 service fee) is legitimate and is charged by the bank, not by an individual.
• Don’t click on links in SMS messages about your Smart ID
• If you lose your ID or it’s stolen, report it immediately to SAFPS at www.safps.org.za or call 011 867 2234
• Check your credit report regularly to make sure no one opened accounts in your name

⚠️ Common Problems and Solutions

Alternative Options

Can’t Apply Online?

You can still visit any Home Affairs office directly. No appointment needed. But expect long queues, especially at month-end and on Mondays.

Home Delivery Coming Soon

Home Affairs announced they will start home delivery of Smart IDs in 2026. This will use facial recognition technology. You’ll be able to order through your bank’s app and get it delivered to your home address.

Living Abroad?

If you’re a South African living outside the country, Smart ID services are now available at embassies and consulates in Australia, New Zealand, UAE, France, Germany, Netherlands, and soon in North America.

Important Contact Information

Act now, don’t wait: Green ID books will be phased out by 2027-2029. The sooner you apply, the less stressed you’ll be. Right now, the banks have appointments available and the system is working well.

Pick the right route: a replacement or green-book swap can often be done as a walk-in at a Capitec or Standard Bank branch where you are a customer. A first-time ID must be done at a Home Affairs office. The older eHomeAffairs portal route is a separate, specialised-branch service.

Protect yourself from scams: Only use the official eHomeAffairs website. Never pay “helpers” or click on links in SMS messages. If it sounds too good to be true, it’s a scam.

Keep your documents safe: Make certified copies before you go. Keep your appointment confirmation and payment proof. Report immediately if your ID is lost or stolen.

Get help if you need it: If you’re not comfortable with computers, ask a family member or friend to help you with the online application. You can also visit a Home Affairs office directly without going online first.