How to Find Your Nearest Smart ID Bank Branch (Official DHA Tool)
The Department of Home Affairs has launched an official online tool to help you find the nearest bank branch offering Smart ID card applications. This page explains what the tool does, how to use it, and what it means for the Digital Partnership programme overall.
What Is the Partner Branch Locator?
In August 2026, Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber launched a new online service at myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za/partner-branch, allowing South Africans to instantly locate participating bank branches nationwide where Smart ID card applications can be made.
The tool updates automatically in real time as new branches join the Department’s Digital Partnership with the banking sector, so you always see the current list rather than a snapshot that goes stale as the rollout expands.
How the Digital Partnership Has Grown
The Digital Partnership between DHA and participating banks launched on 9 March 2026. Since then, growth has been rapid:
- 372 participating bank branches nationwide as of the tool’s August 2026 launch
- Over 500,000 South Africans have applied for Smart ID cards through participating bank branches since launch
This scale means the partnership has already grown well beyond early rollout figures — if you’ve seen older content (including elsewhere on this site) citing much smaller branch counts or mid-year targets, those reflect the program’s earlier stage, not its current size.
How to Use the Tool
- Go to myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za/partner-branch
- Search or browse by location to find participating branches near you
- Confirm the specific bank and branch offers Smart ID services before travelling there, since not every branch of a participating bank is enrolled
- Follow that bank’s own booking process — some banks require an appointment through their own app, while others (like Capitec) operate on a walk-in basis
Which Banks Participate
Banks confirmed as part of the Digital Partnership include FNB, Capitec, Standard Bank, Absa, Nedbank, Discovery Bank, Investec, African Bank, and TymeBank. Not all branches of each bank are enrolled — participation is branch-specific and expanding, which is exactly what the locator tool is designed to track as it changes.
For banks with dedicated guides on this site, see:
- Capitec Smart ID Service — All Branches
- Standard Bank Smart ID & Passport Services
- Which Bank Should I Use for My Smart ID?
What You Can and Cannot Do at a Partner Branch
What you can do: Apply for a new Smart ID or convert your green ID book at any confirmed participating branch, regardless of whether you bank there.
What you cannot do: Passport applications, birth certificates, name changes, or any other Home Affairs matter — these still require a full DHA office or the applicable online channel. Availability varies by bank; some (like Capitec) remain Smart ID-only, while the wider partnership may expand services over time.
Official Contact Details
| Channel | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Partner branch locator | Active | myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za/partner-branch |
| DHA Contact Centre | Active | 0800 60 11 90 (Mon–Fri, 08:00–16:00) |
| eHomeAffairs portal | Active | ehome.dha.gov.za |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DHA partner branch locator? An official online tool launched in August 2026 that lets you search for the nearest bank branch currently offering Smart ID card applications, updated in real time as the Digital Partnership expands.
How many bank branches currently offer Smart ID services? 372 branches nationwide as of the tool’s launch in August 2026, with the number continuing to grow.
Do I need to be a customer of the bank to apply there? No. The Digital Partnership is open to all South Africans regardless of which bank they use, at any confirmed participating branch.
Can I apply for a passport at a partner bank branch? Not currently. The partnership covers Smart ID applications. Passport services through bank branches have not been confirmed as part of this rollout.
How do I know if my specific local branch participates? Use the locator tool directly, since participation is branch-specific, not bank-wide — a bank being listed as a partner doesn’t mean every branch of that bank is enrolled.
Is this the same as the eHomeAffairs portal? No. eHomeAffairs is DHA’s own online application and payment portal. The partner branch locator is a separate tool specifically for finding in-person bank locations offering Smart ID services.
Why do some pages on this site mention smaller branch numbers? The Digital Partnership has grown rapidly since its March 2026 launch. Branch-specific guides may reflect the count and locations confirmed at the time they were last updated — always check the “Last Updated” date and use this locator tool for the current, real-time list.