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Got Your Smart ID? Here’s What To Do Next

Last Updated: March 7, 2026|Reviewed By: Home Affairs Editorial Team|Fact-checked against official DHA and Other Official Sources|Not affiliated with the DHA

Got Your Smart ID Card? Here’s Everything To Do Next

First: Check Your Details Before You Leave the Office

Do not leave the DHA office or bank branch without checking your Smart ID card for errors.

The DHA’s policy is clear: if an error on the card is their fault, they will replace it free of charge. If you only notice an error after you have left, it is harder to prove who made the mistake — and you may end up paying R140 for the correction.

Check the following while still at the counter:

FieldWhat to check
Full nameCorrect spelling, in the right order
Date of birthDay, month, and year — all correct
ID numberAll 13 digits match your existing documents
GenderCorrect
NationalityCorrect
PhotoClearly resembles you
Expiry date (if applicable)Present and readable

If you notice any error, tell the official immediately before leaving. Do not accept the card and come back later — report it at the counter on the day.

If you only discover an error after leaving, see the Smart ID wrong information guide for the correction process.

Checklist: Everything To Do After Collecting Your Smart ID

1. Update Your Bank Accounts

Visit or contact your bank as soon as possible after collecting your Smart ID. Most South African banks now prefer or require the Smart ID card for identity verification, and having it on record protects you from transaction blocks and account flags.

What to do:

  • Take your Smart ID to your bank branch and ask the teller to update your identity document on your profile
  • If you bank with FNB, Capitec, or Nedbank, you may be able to update your ID details via the app — check with your specific bank
  • Update your details at every bank you hold an account with, including savings accounts, investment accounts, and credit accounts
  • Ask the bank to confirm your FICA (Financial Intelligence Centre Act) status is up to date — an outdated ID on your FICA record can cause account restrictions

Banks included: Absa, African Bank, Capitec, Discovery Bank, FNB, Investec, Nedbank, Standard Bank, TymeBank, and any other institution where you hold an account.

2. Update SASSA (If You Receive a Grant)

If you receive a SASSA grant of any kind — old age pension, disability grant, child support grant, or SRD grant — you must update your identity document at your nearest SASSA office or SASSA-linked pay point. Bring your new Smart ID card and your grant card or reference number.

Failure to update your details can interrupt grant payments or trigger a compliance review.

3. Update Your Employer’s HR Records

Notify your employer’s HR or payroll department that your identity document has changed from a green ID book to a Smart ID card. Provide a certified copy of your new Smart ID. This is particularly important for:

  • Tax (SARS/PAYE) records — your ID number is tied to your tax number
  • UIF records — the Unemployment Insurance Fund links to your identity document
  • Employment equity and compliance records

4. Update SARS

Your South African Revenue Service (SARS) profile is linked to your ID number, which remains the same. However, if your personal details changed at the same time as the Smart ID application (for example, a name correction), you may need to update your SARS profile at sars.gov.za or a SARS branch.

If your ID number is unchanged and your name is the same, no SARS action is needed.

5. Update Your Driver’s Licence Records

Your driver’s licence is linked to your ID number and is a separate document from your Smart ID. No change to your driving licence is triggered automatically by getting a Smart ID. However, if you update your name or address details at the DHA, you should inform your provincial vehicle licensing department to align your records.

6. Update Loyalty Programmes, Insurance, and Other Services

Go through any services that hold your identity document details and update them as needed. Common ones include:

  • Medical aid and gap cover providers
  • Life insurance and short-term insurance policies
  • Vehicle registration and roadworthy records
  • Loyalty programmes (Pick n Pay Smart Shopper, Woolworths Rewards, Clicks ClubCard, etc.)
  • Cellphone contracts and service provider accounts
  • Property and lease agreements

What To Do With Your Green ID Book

The short answer: destroy it.

Once you have your Smart ID card and have updated your key accounts, your green ID book should be destroyed. Do not keep it as a backup or secondary document.

Why you should not keep the green ID book:

A 2025 report by Smile ID found that green ID books have a fraud rate of 34%, the highest among identification documents on the African continent. BusinessTech A green ID book in circulation — even your own — is a fraud risk. It can be lost, stolen, or copied. Once you have a Smart ID, the green book serves no legitimate purpose and its existence only creates exposure.

Green ID books will not be declared invalid by the end of the year. The Department has not announced a hard deadline for the green ID books to be declared invalid. JLIA However, the phase-out is actively underway. The department aims to replace all green ID books with Smart ID cards by the end of 2029, with plans to discontinue the issuance of green ID books in the mid-term. Grobank

How to destroy it: Cut the book into multiple pieces, cutting through the barcode on the back cover and the biographical page. Do not just throw it in the bin intact — the barcode and personal information are still readable and usable by someone who finds it.

Keep Your Smart ID Safe

Your Smart ID contains an embedded microchip storing your biometric data. It is more secure than the green book, but physical handling still matters.

  • Do not bend or snap the card — the embedded chip can crack, making the card unreadable. If this happens, you will need to apply for a replacement at R140
  • Do not laminate it — lamination voids the chip and is not accepted by many institutions
  • Keep it in a card holder or wallet sleeve rather than loose in a bag or pocket
  • Do not store it near strong magnets — this can affect the chip
  • If the card is lost or stolen, report it immediately. See the lost or stolen Smart ID guide

Does Your Green ID Book Remain Valid?

Yes — for now. Although the green ID book will no longer be issued after a certain point, current holders do not need to worry; these documents will remain valid until the transition is complete. Africa However, an increasing number of banks, employers, and government departments are requiring or strongly preferring the Smart ID. There is no practical reason to continue using the green book once you have the Smart ID card.

What You Cannot Do

  • You cannot keep using both your green ID book and your Smart ID interchangeably — the Smart ID is your primary and preferred identity document, and you should be using it exclusively
  • You cannot laminate your Smart ID card — this damages the embedded chip and will likely cause problems when the card is verified
  • Naturalized citizens and permanent residents can now apply for Smart IDs at bank branches (Phase 1 rollout), but only if they are from certain visa-exempt countries. All others must still use a DHA live capture office — this remains relevant if you ever need to apply for a replacement
  • You cannot use your green ID book for Smart ID-specific processes like eHomeAffairs or bank branch biometric applications once your Smart ID has been issued

Official Contact Details

ChannelDetail
DHA toll-free hotline0800 60 11 90
DHA emailhacc@dha.gov.za
eHomeAffairs portalehome.dha.gov.za
SASSA contact0800 60 10 11 | sassa.gov.za
SARS contact0800 00 7277 | sars.gov.za
Anti-corruption hotline0800 701 701

This website is not affiliated with the Department of Home Affairs. All contact details are sourced from official government websites.

Frequently Asked Questions

I got my Smart ID. Do I need to do anything at Home Affairs? No — you are done with Home Affairs for now. Your Smart ID is valid and the collection process is complete. The action items are all at your bank, employer, and other service providers.

Do I need to destroy my green ID book or can I keep it? You should destroy it. Once you have a Smart ID, the green book serves no purpose and is a fraud risk if lost. Cut it up and dispose of it securely. It does not need to be returned to Home Affairs.

My details on the Smart ID are wrong. What do I do? If you noticed the error at the DHA counter, report it immediately before leaving — the DHA will replace it free of charge if the error is theirs. If you only noticed it after leaving, see the Smart ID wrong information guide for the full correction process.

Do I need to update my bank immediately? As soon as reasonably possible. Many banks are moving to flag accounts where the identity document on file is a green ID book rather than a Smart ID, especially during FICA compliance reviews. Updating promptly avoids account restrictions.

Does my SARS tax number change when I get a Smart ID? No. Your tax number is linked to your 13-digit ID number, which does not change. If your name or personal details on the card are the same as before, no SARS update is needed.

Can I still use my green ID book at a bank or employer after getting the Smart ID? Technically yes, as it remains legally valid for now. But practically, you should present only your Smart ID going forward. Banks, employers, and government departments will gradually stop accepting green ID books Joburg ETC as the phase-out progresses.

What if my Smart ID chip stops working or the card is damaged? You will need to apply for a replacement at a DHA live capture office or bank branch. The fee is R140. Bring whatever remains of the damaged card to surrender at the office.

How long is my Smart ID valid for? The Smart ID card does not have a fixed expiry date in the same way a passport does — it is intended as a long-term identity document. The DHA’s stated target for the chip is a minimum lifespan of 10 years under normal handling conditions.

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