This page explains which bank branches offer Smart ID and passport services with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), how the two service models differ, how many branches each bank has, the rules on booking and bank accounts, and how to find the branch nearest to you.
In summary
- Branches: 515 bank branches offered Smart ID services on 1 October 2026, up from 457 on 7 September. On 7 September: Capitec 242, Standard Bank 118, FNB 20, Absa 15. Target: 750 by the end of 2026.
- Two models: eHomeAffairs branches (apply and book online, Smart ID and passports) and walk-in branches (no booking, Smart ID only).
- Account rules: eHomeAffairs branches serve all citizens by birth. Capitec walk-in requires a Capitec account.
- Passports: only at eHomeAffairs branches for now.
- Find a branch: the DHA partner branch locator at myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za/partner-branch.
Two models: know the difference before you go
| eHomeAffairs branches | Walk-in branches | |
|---|---|---|
| Running since | 2016 | March 2026 |
| Booking | Required, on eHomeAffairs | Not needed |
| Services | Smart ID and passports | Smart ID only (passports planned later) |
| Who can use it | South African citizens by birth, any bank | Depends on the bank (see below) |
| Processed by | Home Affairs staff inside the branch | The bank’s own staff and systems |
| Extra bank fee | None | Capitec charges R10 |
eHomeAffairs branches
You apply and pay online at ehome.dha.gov.za/ehomeaffairsv3, then book a biometrics appointment at a participating branch. Walk-ins are not accepted. Your booking is with Home Affairs, so you do not need to bank there. eHomeAffairs is only available to citizens by birth; naturalised citizens apply at a DHA office. See how to book a Home Affairs appointment.
Walk-in branches (Digital Partnership)
The bank’s own staff capture your fingerprints and photo and send the application to Home Affairs directly. No booking is needed, and the application takes about 5 to 10 minutes. These branches currently handle Smart IDs only.
- Capitec: Smart ID replacements and green ID book conversions only. Requires a Capitec account, which can be opened on the day. R150 total (R140 DHA fee plus R10 Capitec fee). See our Capitec Smart ID guide.
- Standard Bank: walk-in branches have been limited to Standard Bank clients. See our Standard Bank guide.
- FNB and Absa: rolling out walk-in branches during 2026. Check each bank’s rules before you go.
- TymeBank: not live yet; it plans to join the later app-based phase. See our TymeBank guide.
Green ID book holders: The book will stop being valid as ID on 31 March 2028, so converting to a Smart ID now avoids the queues. See our green ID book deadline guide.
Capitec branch guides: Capitec Howick, Capitec Pietermaritzburg, Capitec Tygervalley, Capitec V&A Waterfront, Capitec Sandton City.
How many branches each bank has
| Bank | Branches offering Smart ID (7 September 2026) | Stated plan |
|---|---|---|
| Capitec | 242 | Leading the rollout |
| Standard Bank | 118 | Expanding |
| FNB | 20 | 240 branches by December 2026 |
| Absa | 15 | About 60 more by the end of 2026 |
| All banks | 457 (515 on 1 October) | 750 by end of 2026, 1,000 over the medium term |
Capitec coverage by province
This is a dated snapshot of Capitec’s walk-in branches, not a live count.
| Province | Capitec branches (September 2026) |
|---|---|
| KwaZulu-Natal | 56 |
| Gauteng | 53 |
| Western Cape | 36 |
| Eastern Cape | 30 |
| Mpumalanga | 20 |
| Limpopo | 19 |
| Free State | 13 |
| North West | 9 |
| Northern Cape | 6 |
Every province now has at least one bank option. Coverage in North West and the Northern Cape is still thin, so check the locator before you travel.
eHomeAffairs branches that offer passports
These branches use the eHomeAffairs model, so they offer passports as well as Smart IDs and require an online booking. This list was compiled in March 2026 and more branches may have been added. Confirm on the DHA locator before you book.
Gauteng
| Bank | Branch | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Absa | Centurion Lifestyle Centre | Shop 36, cnr Lenchen and Old Johannesburg Road, Centurion |
| Absa | Towers | Cnr Commissioner and Troye Streets, Johannesburg |
| Absa | Key West | Shop 80, Key West Shopping Centre, Krugersdorp |
| Absa | Sandton | Cnr Rivonia Road and 5th Street, Sandton |
| Discovery Bank | Head Office | 1 Discovery Place, cnr Rivonia Road and Katherine Street, Sandton |
| FNB | Centurion Lifestyle Centre | Cnr Lenchen and Old Johannesburg Road, Centurion |
| FNB | Lynnwood | Shop L04, cnr Simon Vermooten and Lynnwood Road, Equestria, Pretoria |
| FNB | Merchant Place | 4 Merchant Place, cnr Rivonia and Fredman Drive, Sandton |
| FNB | Glen Shopping Centre | Shop U2, The Glen Shopping Centre, Glenvista |
| FNB | Krugersdorp President Square | Shop 4, Market Street, Krugersdorp |
| Investec | Sandown | 100 Grayston Drive, Sandown, Sandton |
| Nedbank | Arcadia | Shop 25, Nedbank Plaza, Beatrix Street, Arcadia |
| Nedbank | Constantia Kloof | 16 Constantia Boulevard, Constantia Kloof, Roodepoort |
| Nedbank | Rivonia | 135 Rivonia Road, Sandown, Sandton |
| Standard Bank | Centurion | Cnr Lenchen and Old Johannesburg Road, Centurion Lifestyle Centre |
| Standard Bank | Killarney Mall | Killarney Mall, Riviera Road, Killarney |
| Standard Bank | Simmonds Street | 5 Simmonds Street, Selby, Johannesburg |
Western Cape
| Bank | Branch | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Absa | Stellenbosch | Cnr Plein and Ryneveld Streets, Stellenbosch |
| FNB | Greenpoint | Shop 1 and 2, Media Quarter, Somerset Road, Greenpoint |
| Nedbank | St George’s Mall | Shop 3, St George’s Mall, cnr Riebeeck Street, Cape Town |
| Standard Bank | Canal Walk | Shop 599, Upper Level, Canal Walk, Century City |
| Standard Bank | Mitchells Plain Promenade | Cnr AZ Berman Road and Morgenster Road, Mitchells Plain |
KwaZulu-Natal
| Bank | Branch | Address |
|---|---|---|
| FNB | Cornubia | Shop U56, Cornubia Boulevard, Durban |
| Nedbank | Durban North | 57 Adelaide Tambo Drive, Durban North |
| Standard Bank | Kingsmead | 1 Kingsmead Way, Durban |
Eastern Cape
| Bank | Branch | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Absa | Gqeberha | 51 Govan Mbeki Street, Gqeberha Central |
| Standard Bank | Newton Park | 1 Pickering Street, Newton Park, Gqeberha |
Northern Cape
| Bank | Branch | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Bank | Postmasburg (Village Walk) | Shop 62, Village Walk Shopping Centre, Postmasburg |
Limpopo
| Bank | Branch | Address |
|---|---|---|
| FNB | Burgersfort | Shop 55, Twin City Complex, Burgersfort |
Mpumalanga
| Bank | Branch | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Nedbank | Nelspruit | Shop 65, The Crossing Shopping Centre, Mbombela |
Find your nearest branch
Branch lists now change every few weeks, so we no longer keep a full walk-in branch list on this page. Use:
- The DHA partner branch locator: myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za/partner-branch. See our guide to the official branch finder.
- Your bank: each bank publishes its own list of participating branches.
Fees
| Service | Home Affairs fee | Bank fee |
|---|---|---|
| Smart ID | R140 (free for first-time applicants (usually at 16) and citizens 60 and over) | None at eHomeAffairs branches; R10 at Capitec |
| Passport (new or renewal) | R600 | None |
After you apply
Smart IDs and passports usually take about 10 to 14 working days. You may be notified through two separate channels: Home Affairs sends its own automated SMS, and the bank may send its own update through its app, SMS, WhatsApp or email. They are not linked, so you may receive one, both or neither. The 32551 and 32552 SMS status lines have been discontinued. See our Smart ID status check guide.
What you cannot do
- You cannot get a passport at a walk-in branch yet.
- You cannot walk in at an eHomeAffairs branch without a booking.
- You cannot use Capitec’s service without a Capitec account.
- You cannot apply for a first-time Smart ID at Capitec, or use eHomeAffairs if you are a naturalised citizen.
Frequently asked questions
How many bank branches offer Smart ID services?
As of 1 October 2026, 515 bank branches across all partner banks, according to Home Affairs, up from 457 on 7 September. On 7 September, Capitec had 242, Standard Bank 118, FNB 20 and Absa 15. The department aims for 750 branches by the end of 2026 and 1,000 over the medium term.
Which bank branches offer passports?
Only branches on the older eHomeAffairs model, where you apply and book online first. The newer walk-in branches, including all Capitec branches, offer Smart IDs only for now.
Do I need a booking at a bank branch?
It depends on the model. eHomeAffairs branches require you to apply, pay and book on eHomeAffairs first, with no walk-ins. Walk-in branches, such as Capitec’s, take you without a booking.
Can I use a bank branch if I do not bank there?
eHomeAffairs branches are open to all South African citizens by birth, because your booking is with Home Affairs. Capitec’s walk-in service requires a Capitec account, which can be opened on the day. Standard Bank’s newer walk-in branches have been limited to Standard Bank clients. Confirm with the bank before you go.
Does the bank charge extra?
eHomeAffairs branches charge only the Home Affairs fee. Capitec adds a R10 service fee, so a Smart ID there costs R150 in total.
Are there bank branches in the Free State and North West now?
Yes. Capitec alone had 13 Smart ID branches in the Free State and 9 in North West in September 2026. Use the DHA partner branch locator to find the nearest one.
Can I apply for a first-time Smart ID at a bank branch?
Not at Capitec, which handles replacements and green ID book conversions only. If you have never held any identity document, apply at a full Home Affairs office.
How will I know my Smart ID is ready?
Home Affairs sends its own automated SMS. If you applied at a bank, the bank may also send its own separate notification. The 32551 and 32552 SMS status lines have been discontinued, so call 0800 60 11 90 if you hear nothing after 20 working days.
How do I find the bank branch nearest to me?
Use the official DHA partner branch locator at myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za/partner-branch. Branch lists change every few weeks, so check it before you travel.
Contact details
| Channel | Status | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| DHA Contact Centre | Active | 0800 60 11 90 |
| eHomeAffairs | Active | ehome.dha.gov.za/ehomeaffairsv3 |
| DHA partner branch locator | Active | myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za/partner-branch |
| Smart ID status SMS | Discontinued | 32551 and 32552 were shut down after phishing abuse |