Smart ID Access Expands as Banks Bring Home Affairs Services Closer to Residents

South Africans looking to replace their green ID books or reissue Smart ID cards are gaining access to more banking-based service points, as the Department of Home Affairs continues expanding its digital partnership with the country’s major banks.

The rollout forms part of Home Affairs’ broader “Home Affairs @ home” reform programme, which is aimed at reducing long queues, cutting travel time, and moving selected civic services into banking environments already used by residents.

According to the Department of Home Affairs, the digital partnership allows participating banks to connect securely to Home Affairs systems, enabling customers to apply for Smart ID cards directly at selected bank branches.

Unlike the traditional eHomeAffairs route, customers using the new digital banking model do not need to log onto eHomeAffairs to make bookings or payments before visiting participating branches.

At present, the service is focused on Smart ID replacements. This includes South Africans who still hold the green barcoded ID book and want to convert to a Smart ID card, as well as people who need a reissue of an existing Smart ID card due to it being lost, stolen or damaged.

Naturalised citizens and qualifying permanent residents with green ID books are also included in the initial phase.

However, first-time ID applications, passport applications, late registration of birth, name changes and complex civic services are not yet available through the new bank-branch model and must still be handled through Home Affairs offices.

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For Newcastle residents, the rollout is already visible locally.

Capitec lists Newcastle Scott as one of its KwaZulu-Natal branches offering Smart ID services, while Standard Bank lists Newcastle Mall among its selected branches for Smart ID applications.

Furthermore, Capitec states that its Smart ID service is currently available for replacements, including replacing a lost, stolen or damaged Smart ID card, or converting a green ID book to a Smart ID card.

However, first-time ID applications are not available at Capitec branches yet.

The bank also confirms that applicants must have a Capitec account, with the total cost listed as R150, made up of the R140 Department of Home Affairs application fee and a R10 Capitec service fee.

Standard Bank states that South African citizens who currently hold a green ID book or need a Smart ID reissue can apply in-branch, subject to an eligibility check.

The bank lists the Department of Home Affairs fee at R140 and states that it is currently not charging a convenience fee. It also notes that applicants need a Standard Bank account before proceeding with a Smart ID application through its service.

The Department of Home Affairs has said the digital model is intended to make Smart ID services more accessible by moving them closer to communities.

The department previously explained that the new system differs from the earlier bank-branch model, where banks hosted small Home Affairs offices and applicants were still required to complete online processes before visiting the branch mainly for biometric capture.

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Under the updated digital model, participating banks use secure systems connected to Home Affairs, allowing biometric capture and application processing to take place in a more streamlined way.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber has repeatedly urged South Africans still using green ID books to move to Smart IDs, warning that the green ID remains highly vulnerable to fraud and identity theft.

In June, Schreiber said there were still around 16 million green ID books in circulation and that the department’s goal was to replace them with secure Smart IDs.

The department has also set an ambitious expansion target, with Schreiber stating that Home Affairs wants to reach 750 bank branches by the end of 2026.

This would form part of a wider plan to eventually expand Home Affairs services to 1,000 participating bank branches by 2029.

For now, residents wanting to use the service should first check whether their bank and nearest branch are participating, whether they qualify for the current phase, and what documents or account requirements apply.

As the rollout remains phased, Home Affairs and the banks have advised the public to check official branch lists regularly as more sites are added.

While you are here, be sure to read: 24 Undocumented Workers Found at Newcastle Factory as Owner Taken Into Custody