Smart ID and Passport at South African Bank Branches — Full Guide
Can You Get a Smart ID or Passport at a Bank?
Yes. Selected South African bank branches offer Smart ID and passport application services through the Department of Home Affairs’ eHomeAffairs platform — and the network is expanding rapidly in 2026.
The service has been available since 2016 through a small pilot group of branches. As of March 2026 approximately 35 branches are active, with the DHA targeting 100 operational branches by end of the current financial year and 1,000 branches by 2029.
Both Smart ID cards and passport applications — new applications and renewals — can be processed at participating branches. Processing times and fees are identical to DHA offices.
Which Banks Offer the Service?
Nine banks are now part of the DHA’s banking partnership programme.
| Bank | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FNB | Active — 7+ branches, expanding to 240 | One of the original pilot banks since 2016. App-based booking available. |
| Standard Bank | Active — expanding, 20 new branches launching early 2026 | Original pilot bank. Rosebank, Maponya Mall, and Westgate among new 2026 additions. |
| Absa | Active — 5–6 branches, 12 more ready for activation | Original pilot bank. |
| Nedbank | Active — 4–5 branches | Original pilot bank, expanding. |
| Discovery Bank | Active — Sandton (1 Discovery Place) | Appointment by email. Plans to expand to Sea Point, Century City, Pretoria, Umhlanga. |
| Investec | Active — Sandton (1 branch) | Available at Sandown/Sandton office. |
| Capitec | Rolling out from late 2025 — 100 branches by mid-2026, 300 by end 2026 | New entrant. App-based booking in rollout. South Africa’s largest bank by customers. |
| African Bank | New entrant — limited branches initially | New entrant from 2025, focused on underserved areas. |
| TymeBank | New entrant — rollout underway | Digital-first bank, physical access points. |
Branch lists change frequently as the rollout accelerates. Always confirm current participating branches at ehome.dha.gov.za before booking.
For a detailed guide to each bank’s specific branches, booking process, and app integration, use the links at the bottom of this page.
How the Process Works
The bank branch service runs through the eHomeAffairs platform. You must complete and pay for your application online before your branch visit — you cannot simply walk in.
Step 1 — Register and Start Your Application Online
Go to ehome.dha.gov.za and register with your personal details. Complete your application form online — upload supporting document copies and verify your details.
If you bank with FNB or Capitec, you can begin your application directly through the bank’s mobile app without going to the eHomeAffairs website first.
Step 2 — Pay Online
Payment must be completed through internet banking or mobile banking before you can book a branch appointment. The platform links to your bank account for payment.
- Smart ID: R140
- Passport (new or renewal): R600
The platform supports payment from accounts at Absa, Discovery Bank, FNB, Investec, Nedbank, and Standard Bank. If you bank with Capitec, African Bank, TymeBank, or any other bank not yet fully integrated, you may need to open a secondary account at one of the supported banks to pay — or visit a DHA office directly.
Step 3 — Book Your Branch Appointment
After payment, select a participating bank branch near you and book a time slot for biometric capture. Appointment slots fill quickly — book as far in advance as possible.
Step 4 — Attend Your Appointment
Bring the following to your appointment:
- Your South African Smart ID card or green ID book (original)
- Your existing passport if you have one (for renewals)
- The payment confirmation from the eHomeAffairs platform
At the branch, a consultant will capture your photograph and fingerprints digitally. The process takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes.
Step 5 — Collect Your Document
You will receive an SMS when your Smart ID or passport is ready for collection at the branch where you submitted your biometrics. Processing takes 10 to 14 working days.
Third-party collection is not permitted — you must collect in person.
Fees
| Document | Fee |
|---|---|
| Smart ID card | R140 |
| Passport (new or renewal) | R600 |
| Lost/stolen passport replacement — with SAPS affidavit | R600 |
| Lost/stolen passport replacement — without proof of non-negligence | R1200 |
No additional convenience fee is charged by most banks — you pay only the standard DHA fee. Standard Bank confirmed no convenience fee during its 2026 launch phase. Confirm with your specific bank before booking.
What You Cannot Do at a Bank Branch
Bank branches have limitations compared to DHA offices. The following services are not available at bank branches:
- Emergency passports — must be applied for in person at a DHA live capture office
- Child passport applications where both parents need to be present and sign in front of an official — confirm with the specific bank
- NPR corrections and amendments — must be done at a DHA office
- Lost passport report (DHA-335) submissions — DHA office only
- Birth certificate, marriage certificate, or death certificate applications — DHA office only
- Citizenship and permanent residence applications — DHA office only
If you need any of the above, you must visit a DHA office regardless of which bank you use.
Who Can Use the Bank Branch Service?
Both customers and non-customers can use the service at most participating bank branches. You do not need to be a customer of the bank where you book your appointment.
The exception is the payment step — you must pay through internet or mobile banking linked to your account. If your bank is not yet integrated with the eHomeAffairs payment system, you may need an account at a supported bank to complete payment online.
Province Coverage
The service is not yet available in all provinces. As of March 2026, the Free State and North West have no participating bank branches.
Provinces with at least one participating bank branch: Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape.
With Capitec’s 100-branch rollout by mid-2026 and the broader DHA expansion plan, provincial coverage gaps are expected to narrow significantly during 2026.
Processing Times
Bank branch applications follow the same processing timeline as DHA office applications.
| Document | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Smart ID card | 10 to 14 working days |
| Passport | 10 to 14 working days |
Check your status at any time: SMS the letter P followed by your 13-digit SA ID number to 32552, or visit www.dha.gov.za/status.
Official Contact Details
| Channel | Detail |
|---|---|
| eHomeAffairs portal | ehome.dha.gov.za |
| DHA toll-free hotline | 0800 60 11 90 |
| DHA email | hacc@dha.gov.za |
| Appointment booking | services.dha.gov.za |
| Status check SMS | P + 13-digit ID number to 32552 |
| Anti-corruption hotline | 0800 701 701 |
This website is not affiliated with the Department of Home Affairs or any bank. All information is sourced from official DHA and bank communications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a customer of the bank to use the service? No. Most participating banks offer the service to all South African citizens regardless of which bank they use. However, the online payment step requires internet or mobile banking — if your bank is not yet integrated with the eHomeAffairs payment system, you may need to open an account at a supported bank to pay.
Is the process the same as at a DHA office? Yes — same fee, same forms, same processing time, same collection requirement. The bank branch replaces the DHA office only for the biometric capture step. Your application is still processed by the DHA and your document is still issued by the DHA.
Can I do an emergency passport at a bank? No. Emergency passport applications must be submitted in person at a DHA live capture office. Bank branches cannot process emergency passports.
How do I find a participating branch near me? Log into ehome.dha.gov.za and the branch selection screen shows all available branches. The list is updated as new branches go live. Do not rely on older published lists — the network is expanding quickly in 2026.
Can I walk into a bank branch without an appointment? No. Appointments are mandatory at all bank branches. Walk-ins are not accepted. Book through ehome.dha.gov.za or through the FNB or Capitec app.
Do I need to bring photos to the bank? No. Your photograph is captured digitally at the branch as part of the biometric process. Physical passport photos are not required.
What happens if my application is rejected after applying at a bank? The rejection process is the same as for a DHA office application. Call 0800 60 11 90 or email hacc@dha.gov.za to get the exact rejection reason, correct the issue, and reapply. The R140 or R400 fee is non-refundable.
Can I collect my Smart ID or passport from a different branch than where I applied? No. Your document is sent to the branch where you submitted your biometrics. You must collect from that branch.
Is the service available in the Free State and North West? Not yet as of March 2026. Residents in these provinces must use a DHA live capture office. This is expected to change during 2026 as Capitec and other banks expand their branch networks.
All Bank Service Guides
| Guide | Description |
|---|---|
| FNB Smart ID and Passport — Branch Guide | FNB branches, app booking, what FNB customers get |
| Capitec Smart ID and Passport — Branch Guide | Capitec rollout, app integration, branch locations |
| Standard Bank Smart ID and Passport — Branch Guide | Standard Bank branches, 2026 expansion, booking |
| Absa Smart ID and Passport — Branch Guide | Absa branches, booking process |
| African Bank Smart ID and Passport — Branch Guide | African Bank as new entrant, where and how |
| Which Banks Offer Smart ID and Passport Services | Full comparison table, all 9 banks, province coverage |