Your Complete Guide to Getting a Smart ID Card in South Africa

Last updated: March 2026 | Source: Department of Home Affairs (dha.gov.za) | This site is not affiliated with the Department of Home Affairs.

What Is a Smart ID Card?

A Smart ID card is South Africa’s official national identity document, issued by the Department of Home Affairs to citizens and eligible permanent residents aged 16 and older.

It replaces the old green bar-coded ID book. The Smart ID is a credit card-sized document containing your name, date of birth, ID number, photograph, fingerprints, and a microchip storing your biometric data. It is printed in English only.

The green ID book is 500% more vulnerable to identity fraud than the Smart ID, according to the Department of Home Affairs. The DHA issued a record 4,002,964 Smart ID cards in 2025 — a 17% increase on 2024.

Who Can Apply?

You can apply for a Smart ID card if you are a South African citizen or eligible permanent resident aged 16 or older.

Eligible applicants include:

South African citizens by birth applying for their first ID
Citizens replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged green ID book or Smart ID
Citizens updating personal details such as a name change after marriage or divorce
Naturalised citizens — eligible since 12 May 2025
Permanent residents from visa-exempt countries — eligible since 12 May 2025

Note for permanent residents and naturalised citizens: You cannot use the eHomeAffairs online portal. You must apply in person at a DHA live capture office with your naturalisation or permanent residence certificate and a certified copy.

How Much Does a Smart ID Cost?

Applicant Type	Cost
First-time applicant under 18	Free
First-time applicant aged 60 or older	Free
All other first-time applicants	R140
Replacement (lost, stolen, damaged)	R140
Correction of DHA error	Free

How To Apply for a Smart ID Card

Option 1 — Online via eHomeAffairs (Recommended)

Citizens born in South Africa should apply via the eHomeAffairs portal at ehome.dha.gov.za.

Go to ehome.dha.gov.za and register using your ID number
Verify your phone number with the one-time PIN sent to your cellphone
Log in and complete the Smart ID application form
Upload scans of your required documents
Pay R140 via EFT or bank deposit to the DHA account
Book a biometric appointment at a DHA office or participating bank branch
Attend your appointment — your photo and fingerprints are captured digitally. No physical photos needed.
Wait for your SMS notification that your card is ready for collection at the same branch

Option 2 — At a Participating Bank Branch

Smart ID applications are available at FNB, Capitec, Standard Bank, Absa, and African Bank branches.

FNB and Capitec allow you to begin the application through their banking apps before your branch visit. Bank branches typically have shorter queues than DHA offices and operate on appointment systems.

See the full guide: Which Banks Offer Smart ID Services

Option 3 — In Person at a DHA Office

You can apply in person at any DHA live capture office without pre-applying online.

Book an appointment first at services.dha.gov.za to avoid long queues. Walk-ins are accepted but increasingly limited at busier offices. Note that 101 of 348 DHA offices do not have Smart ID card capability as of early 2026. Confirm your nearest office can issue Smart IDs before visiting.

What Documents Do You Need?

First-Time Applicants (Citizens by Birth)

Completed Form BI-9 (available at the DHA office)
Original birth certificate or certified copy
If under 18: a parent or legal guardian must attend with their own valid ID
If a parent is deceased: death certificate of the deceased parent

Replacing a Lost or Stolen ID

Completed Form BI-9
Affidavit from the South African Police Service (SAPS) confirming loss or theft
R140 payment

Naturalised Citizens and Permanent Residents

Completed Form BI-9 and Form BI-1620 (completed at the DHA office)
Naturalisation or permanent residence certificate plus a certified copy
If your certificate is lost: apply for a duplicate before applying for the Smart ID

How Long Does a Smart ID Take?

A Smart ID card takes 10 to 14 working days from your biometric appointment date.

Processing times vary by province. If your card has not arrived after 30 working days, follow up using the status check process or contact the DHA hotline.

Stage	Timeframe
Biometric appointment to card ready	10 to 14 working days
SMS notification	Sent when card is ready for collection
Follow-up threshold	After 30 working days with no update

See current wait times by province: Home Affairs Processing Times by Province

How To Check Your Smart ID Status

Check your Smart ID status online at www.dha.gov.za/status using your South African ID number.

You can also call the DHA toll-free hotline on 0800 60 11 90. Have your application reference number ready.

Full walkthrough including status message explanations: Smart ID Status Check — Full Guide

Common Problems — What To Do

Application Rejected

Rejections occur due to mismatched personal information, missing documents, fingerprint issues, or population register discrepancies. Do not reapply without identifying the specific rejection reason first.
→ Smart ID Application Rejected — What To Do

Taking Too Long

If 30 working days have passed with no update, there is a specific escalation path including the DHA hotline, written complaint, and formal escalation.
→ Smart ID Taking Too Long — How To Follow Up

Wrong Information on Card

If the DHA made the error, correction and reissue are free. If the error was in your original application, R140 applies. Both scenarios require a visit to a DHA live capture office with Forms BI-9 and BI-309.
→ Wrong Name or Date of Birth on Smart ID

Lost or Stolen

A SAPS affidavit is required before applying for a replacement. Additional identity protection steps apply.
→ Smart ID Lost or Stolen — Replacement Process

Fingerprints Rejected

Fingerprint rejection is common among older applicants and manual labourers. An alternative process exists — do not leave the office without asking for documentation of the rejection reason.
→ Fingerprint Rejection During Smart ID Application

Still Using a Green ID Book

The DHA has confirmed the green ID book will be phased out. Production of new green ID books has effectively stopped. The invalidation date has not been officially set, but the process is underway.
→ Green ID Book Phase-Out — What You Need To Do

Smart ID Scams — What To Watch Out For

No third party can legitimately fast-track or expedite your Smart ID application for a fee.

Common scams include:

WhatsApp groups offering paid Home Affairs appointment bookings — the official system at services.dha.gov.za is free
Individuals claiming to process Smart ID applications for a fee outside official DHA or bank channels
Fake eHomeAffairs websites — always verify the URL begins with ehome.dha.gov.za before entering personal information

Report corruption and fraud: 0800 701 701 or hacc@dha.gov.za

Official Contact Details

Channel	Detail
Toll-free hotline	0800 60 11 90
Head office	012 406 2500
Email	hacc@dha.gov.za
Status check	www.dha.gov.za/status
Appointment booking	services.dha.gov.za
eHomeAffairs portal	ehome.dha.gov.za
Anti-corruption hotline	0800 701 701
Physical address	Hallmark Building, 230 Johannes Ramokhoase Street, Pretoria, 0001

This website is not affiliated with the Department of Home Affairs. All contact details are sourced from www.dha.gov.za.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use my green ID book in 2026?
Yes, for now. The green ID book has not been officially invalidated. However, the DHA has confirmed it will be phased out and production of new green ID books has stopped. Apply for a Smart ID as soon as possible.

How long does a Smart ID take?
10 to 14 working days from your biometric appointment. If 30 working days pass with no update, call 0800 60 11 90 or follow the escalation steps in the full guide.

How much does a Smart ID cost?
R140 for most applicants. Free for first-time applicants under 18 or aged 60 and older. Free if the DHA made an error on your card.

Can a permanent resident get a Smart ID?
Yes, since 12 May 2025, permanent residents from visa-exempt countries can apply at a DHA live capture office. The eHomeAffairs portal is not available for this category. Bring your permanent residence certificate and a certified copy.

Can I apply at a bank instead of a DHA office?
Yes. FNB, Capitec, Standard Bank, Absa, and African Bank all offer Smart ID services at selected branches. FNB and Capitec also allow application to begin via their banking apps.

Do I need to bring ID photos to my appointment?
No. Photos and fingerprints are captured digitally at all live capture offices and bank branches. Physical photos are only required for a temporary ID certificate.

What if Home Affairs put wrong information on my Smart ID?
If the error was made by the DHA, correction and reissue are free. Visit your nearest DHA office with your Smart ID and proof of the correct information such as your birth certificate. Complete Forms BI-9 and BI-309.

My Smart ID application has been open for over 6 months. What do I do?
Call 0800 60 11 90 with your ID number. If unresolved, send a written complaint to hacc@dha.gov.za with your full name, ID number, date of application, and the office where you submitted. A copy-paste complaint template is in the full follow-up guide.

Is the eHomeAffairs portal safe?
Yes. Always verify the URL begins with ehome.dha.gov.za. Do not use third-party websites claiming to process applications on your behalf.

What is the anti-corruption hotline?
0800 701 701 — toll-free and confidential. Use it to report bribery, fraud, or corruption at any Home Affairs office or by anyone claiming to act on Home Affairs’ behalf.

Related guides:

RANK MATH — GovernmentService Schema:

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Smart ID Card South Africa — Complete Guide