Slug convention going forward:

Page	Slug
hub (category)	`/bank-services/`
FNB guide	`/bank-services/fnb-smart-id-passport/`
Which banks	`/bank-services/which-banks-offer-smart-id/`
Birth Certificate hub	`/birth-certificate/`
Late registration	`/birth-certificate/late-registration/`

Clean, readable, keyword-present, no clutter.

META TITLE (52 characters): Home Affairs Bank Based services

META DESCRIPTION (143 characters):
Apply for your Smart ID or passport at a South African bank. Full guide to FNB, Capitec, Standard Bank, Absa and African Bank branches.

H1: Bank-Based Home Affairs Services — Complete Guide

URL SLUG: /bank-services/

BREADCRUMB: Home > Bank-Based Home Affairs Services

How to Use Home Affairs Services at Your Bank Without Visiting an Office

Last updated: March 2026 | Siource: Department of Home Affairs (dha.gov.za) | Not affiliated with the DHA

What Are Bank-Based Home Affairs Services?

South African banks offer Smart ID card and passport application services at selected branches in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs.

This means you can apply for or collect your Smart ID card and passport at a bank branch instead of visiting a DHA office. Bank branches operate on appointment systems, have shorter queues, and are located closer to where most South Africans live and work.

The initiative is part of the DHA’s Home Affairs @ Home programme — a digital transformation drive aimed at eliminating the need for South Africans to visit a DHA office for routine document applications.

Which Banks Offer Smart ID and Passport Services?

Five major South African banks currently offer Smart ID and passport services in partnership with the DHA.

Bank	Current Branches	Target Branches
FNB	240 branches	Expanding
Standard Bank	20 branches	300 by 2027
Capitec	10 branches	100 by end 2026, 300 thereafter
Absa	Selected branches in Johannesburg, Sandton, Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Krugersdorp	Expanding
African Bank	Selected branches nationwide	Expanding

Branch numbers are expanding rapidly. Always confirm your nearest participating branch before visiting using your bank’s official website or app.

Full bank-by-bank breakdown: Which Banks Offer Smart ID and Passport Services

What Services Are Available at Banks?

Banks offer Smart ID card and passport applications, biometric capture, and document collection.

Services currently available at participating bank branches include:

First-time Smart ID card applications
Smart ID card replacements (lost, stolen, or damaged)
Passport applications
Passport renewals
Biometric data capture — fingerprints and photograph
Collection of completed Smart ID cards and passports

Banks do not handle birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, name changes, or any other DHA services at this stage.

How To Apply at a Bank Branch

The process for applying at a bank branch follows the same steps as the eHomeAffairs online application.

Go to ehome.dha.gov.za and register or log in using your South African ID number
Complete the Smart ID or passport application form online
Upload scans of your required documents
Pay the application fee online — R140 for Smart ID, R400 for passport
Select a participating bank branch as your biometric appointment location
Attend your appointment at the branch — your photo and fingerprints are captured digitally
Wait for your SMS notification that your document is ready for collection at the same branch

FNB and Capitec customers: You can begin your application directly through your banking app without visiting the eHomeAffairs portal first. Look for the Home Affairs section within the app.

Documents To Bring to Your Bank Appointment

Smart ID Application

South African Smart ID card or green ID book (existing holders)
Original birth certificate or certified copy (first-time applicants)
If under 18: a parent or legal guardian must attend with their own valid ID
If replacing a lost or stolen ID: a SAPS affidavit confirming the loss or theft

Passport Application

South African Smart ID card or green ID book
For children: unabridged birth certificate and parental consent documentation

No physical ID photographs are needed at any bank branch. Your photograph is captured digitally during the biometric appointment.

How Long Does It Take at a Bank Branch?

Smart ID cards and passports processed at bank branches take 10 to 14 working days from your biometric appointment.

This is the same processing time as DHA office applications. The production of the physical document happens at Government Printing Works regardless of where you submit — the bank branch advantage is a faster, more convenient biometric appointment, not faster production.

Document	Processing Time
Smart ID card	10 to 14 working days
Passport	10 to 14 working days
SMS notification	Sent when document is ready for collection

Bank-Specific Guides

Each bank has its own booking system, app integration, and branch availability. The guides below cover the full process for each bank including how to book, what to bring, and what to do if something goes wrong.

Who Cannot Use Bank-Based Services?

Permanent residents and naturalised citizens cannot use bank branches for Smart ID applications.

These applicants must apply in person at a DHA live capture office. The bank-based system is currently integrated with the eHomeAffairs portal, which is not accessible to permanent residents and naturalised citizens.

Additionally, bank-based services are only available to applicants inside South Africa. South Africans abroad must apply at their nearest South African embassy, high commission, or consulate.

Scams — What To Watch Out For

No third party can book a bank branch Home Affairs appointment on your behalf for a fee.

Booking through your bank’s official app or the eHomeAffairs portal at ehome.dha.gov.za is completely free. Common scams include:

WhatsApp groups or social media accounts charging for appointment bookings
Individuals claiming to fast-track bank branch applications for a fee
Fake banking app pages designed to steal your ID number and personal details

Always access your bank’s Home Affairs services through the official banking app only — downloaded from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store directly.

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

Official Contact Details

Channel	Detail
DHA toll-free hotline	0800 60 11 90
DHA email	hacc@dha.gov.za
eHomeAffairs portal	ehome.dha.gov.za
Appointment booking	services.dha.gov.za
Anti-corruption hotline	0800 701 701

This website is not affiliated with the Department of Home Affairs or any of the banks listed. All information is sourced from official DHA and bank communications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for a Smart ID at any bank branch?
No. Only selected branches at FNB, Capitec, Standard Bank, Absa, and African Bank participate in the DHA partnership. Always confirm your nearest participating branch through your bank’s official website or app before visiting.

Do I need to be a customer of the bank to apply there?
No. You do not need to hold an account at the bank where you apply. Any eligible South African can use any participating branch regardless of their banking relationship.

Can I collect my Smart ID or passport at a different branch from where I applied?
No. Your document must be collected at the same branch where you submitted your biometrics. You will receive an SMS when it is ready for collection.

Can I start my application at a bank branch without using eHomeAffairs first?
FNB and Capitec customers can begin directly through their banking apps. All other applicants must start at ehome.dha.gov.za first and select a bank branch as their biometric appointment location.

What happens if I miss my bank branch appointment?
Log back into the eHomeAffairs portal or your banking app and rebook. Missing an appointment does not cancel your application but your slot will be released. Rebook as soon as possible, especially at branches with high demand.

Can a permanent resident apply for a Smart ID at a bank branch?
No. Permanent residents and naturalised citizens must apply in person at a DHA live capture office. The bank-based system connects to eHomeAffairs which is not currently accessible to these applicants.

Is my personal information safe at a bank branch?
Yes. Bank branches process your biometric data through the official DHA live capture system — the same system used at DHA offices. Your data is submitted directly to the Department of Home Affairs and is not stored by the bank.

What if something goes wrong with my application at a bank branch?
Contact the DHA directly on 0800 60 11 90 or email hacc@dha.gov.za. Banks do not have authority to resolve DHA application issues — all escalations go through official DHA channels.

How do I find my nearest participating bank branch?
Use your bank’s official website or app branch locator and filter for Home Affairs services. The DHA also lists participating branches at www.dha.gov.za.

Are bank branch application fees the same as DHA office fees?
Yes. R140 for a Smart ID and R400 for a passport — the same regardless of whether you apply at a bank branch or a DHA office. No additional bank service fee applies.

Related guides:

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That is hub 3 done. Birth Certificate hub is next. Ready when you are.

Home Affairs Bank-Based Services South Africa