BABS online booking is how you book a Home Affairs appointment at a Department of Home Affairs (DHA) branch office, while participating bank branches use eHomeAffairs instead. This guide explains which one you need, how to book on each step by step, what to bring, and what to do when there are no open slots.
In summary
- DHA office: book on BABS at myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za. You need a My Home Affairs Online account to book. Booking is optional. Walk-ins are served, but bookings get priority.
- Bank branch: apply and book on eHomeAffairs at ehome.dha.gov.za/ehomeaffairsv3. Booking is required. No walk-ins.
- Fees: Smart ID R140 (free for first-time applicants (usually at 16) and citizens aged 60 and over), passport R600, temporary ID R70.
- No slots? Check early in the morning, narrow the dates, try other branches, or walk in at a DHA office.
- Help: DHA Contact Centre, 0800 60 11 90.
- Can’t find a slot? Try the five checks below first. If none works, a booking service can watch for a slot and book it for you (Apostil.co.za is a paid partner of this site).
Two booking systems: know which one you need
The Department of Home Affairs runs two separate online booking systems. They are not interchangeable.
BABS: appointments at DHA branch offices
BABS (Branch Appointment Booking System) books appointments at participating DHA branch offices, for services such as:
- Smart ID applications
- Passport applications
- Document collection, at offices that offer it as a booking option
BABS booking portal: myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za
A booking is not mandatory at a DHA branch. Walk-ins are accepted, although clients with BABS appointments are prioritised at dedicated counters.
eHomeAffairs: applications and biometrics at participating banks
eHomeAffairs lets eligible South African citizens complete a Smart ID or passport application online, pay for it, and book a biometrics appointment at a participating bank branch.
Unlike DHA branches, a booking is mandatory at participating bank branches. Walk-ins are not accepted.
eHomeAffairs portal: ehome.dha.gov.za/ehomeaffairsv3
Important: eHomeAffairs is only available to South African citizens by birth. If you were naturalised or became a citizen another way, apply at a DHA branch instead.
One exception: Capitec’s Smart ID service does not use eHomeAffairs at all. It is walk-in only, for Smart ID replacements, and requires a Capitec account. See our Capitec Smart ID guide.
Do you need a Home Affairs booking?
| Where you are going | Booking required? |
|---|---|
| DHA branch office | No. Walk-ins are accepted, but bookings get priority. |
| Bank branch using eHomeAffairs | Yes. Booking is mandatory. No walk-ins. |
| Capitec Smart ID branch | No. Walk-in only, Capitec account required. |
BABS online booking: how to book at a DHA branch
What you need before you start
- A valid South African ID number
- Your full name as it appears on your ID document
- A South African cellphone number for OTPs and appointment notifications
- An email address (optional, but recommended)
Step 1: Go to My Home Affairs Online and log in
Visit myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za and choose Book a DHA Branch Appointment. DHA’s FAQ says you must log in to your My Home Affairs Online account to make a booking, so log in with your email and password, or create an account first. The old address, services.dha.gov.za, now forwards you to this portal. DHA moved branch booking here recently, so the screens after you log in may look different from the steps below, and we are updating them.
Step 2: Enter your identity details
Choose whether you are using an ID number or passport number, enter your details and select Proceed. The system checks your details against the National Population Register.
Step 3: Enter your personal details
Enter your surname, first name and cellphone number, and your email address if you want email notifications. Select Authenticate.
Step 4: Select your service
Choose the service you need, such as a Smart ID application, a passport application or document collection. The options shown can depend on the branch.
Step 5: Choose your branch
Select your province and then your city or area. Only participating branches appear, so not every DHA office is listed.
Step 6: Select a date and time
Choose an open slot and confirm the appointment. If nothing is open, see the no available slots section below.
Step 7: Save your confirmation
Download or screenshot your barcoded confirmation letter. You may also receive an SMS or email reminder. Appointments are linked to the applicant and cannot be transferred to another person.
How to book using eHomeAffairs at a bank branch
With eHomeAffairs you complete and pay for the application online first, then attend a biometrics appointment at the bank.
Step 1: Register for an account
Go to ehome.dha.gov.za/ehomeaffairsv3, select Register and complete the form. Create a password, answer the security questions, and verify your account with the OTP sent to your cellphone.
Step 2: Log in and complete your application
Log in with your ID number, password and OTP. Open the application section and complete your Smart ID or passport application. Mandatory fields must be filled in before you can continue.
Step 3: Pay the application fee
- Smart ID: R140, or free for first-time applicants (usually at 16) and citizens aged 60 and over
- Passport: R600
- Temporary ID: R70
Payment runs through your bank. If your banking app asks you to approve the payment, see our guide on how to authorise a Home Affairs payment.
Step 4: Book your biometrics appointment
Once payment is confirmed, open Booking Information, choose a participating bank branch, and pick a date and time. Do not travel to the bank expecting to be served as a walk-in.
Step 5: Download your confirmation letter
Select Download Confirmation and save your barcoded confirmation letter.
Step 6: Attend your appointment
Take your confirmation letter, your green ID book if you have one, and any other documents your application needs. Your photo, fingerprints and signature are captured at the appointment.
Green ID book holders: The book is still accepted for this, but it will stop being valid as ID on 31 March 2028. See our green ID book deadline guide.
After your biometrics appointment
Smart IDs and passports are usually ready within about 14 working days, though this varies. You may hear through two separate channels: Home Affairs sends its own automated SMS, and if you applied at a bank, the bank may send its own notification through its app, SMS, WhatsApp or email. The two systems are not linked, so you may receive one, both or neither. See our Smart ID status check guide.
What to bring to your Home Affairs appointment
- Your barcoded confirmation letter, printed or on your phone
- Your green ID book, if you have one
- Any supporting documents your application needs
- Proof of payment, for eHomeAffairs applications
Arrive a few minutes early. Even with a booking, you may wait depending on branch traffic and system availability. For detailed requirements, see our Smart ID complete guide and passport application guide.
What to do when Home Affairs shows “no available slots”
“No available slots” usually means the open appointments have been taken, not that the system is broken. Slots come back when appointments are released, cancelled or rescheduled.
1. Check early in the morning
Availability changes during the day. Checking early gives you a better chance, so try at different times rather than once.
2. Search a narrower date range
If a wide date search returns nothing, work through the calendar in shorter periods.
3. Try different branches
Busy urban branches fill quickly. A branch a little further away may have open slots.
4. Check again after cancellations
Slots open up when other people cancel or reschedule, so a later search can give different results.
5. Walk in at a DHA branch
If you are applying at a DHA office rather than a bank, you can walk in without a booking. This does not work at bank branches that use eHomeAffairs.
Still can’t find a Home Affairs slot?
If you have tried different dates, branches and times and still cannot find an appointment, Apostil.co.za can monitor availability and book a slot for you when one opens, so you do not have to keep checking the portal yourself.
Get help finding a Home Affairs slot
Disclosure: Apostil.co.za is a paid partner of Home Affairs Guide, and we may earn a commission if you use it. Booking through the official BABS portal is free.
How to reschedule or cancel your Home Affairs appointment
Log back into the system you used:
- BABS: myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za
- eHomeAffairs: ehome.dha.gov.za/ehomeaffairsv3
Open your booking details and choose the cancel or reschedule option. If you no longer need the slot, cancel it so someone else can use it. If you miss an appointment without cancelling, you may need to book again.
What if the Home Affairs booking system is down?
- Try again later, or during a quieter period
- Make sure you are on the official DHA portal
- If you are applying at a DHA branch, walk in instead
- If you need a bank branch, wait until eHomeAffairs is working again
- Call the DHA Contact Centre on 0800 60 11 90 (toll-free, Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 16:00)
What you cannot do online
- You cannot book every DHA service on BABS. Birth, late, marriage and death registrations and name changes are walk-in services at DHA offices. Civil marriage ceremonies are booked directly with the office; see how to get married at Home Affairs.
- You cannot use eHomeAffairs if you are a naturalised citizen or became a citizen another way.
- You cannot transfer your appointment to another person.
- You cannot attend a bank branch that uses eHomeAffairs without a booking.
- You should not assume every DHA office appears on BABS.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a booking to go to a Home Affairs office?
No. Walk-ins are accepted at DHA branch offices, but people with BABS appointments are served first at dedicated counters, so a booking can cut your waiting time. Bank branches are different: a booking through eHomeAffairs is required and walk-ins are not accepted.
What is the BABS booking website?
BABS, the Branch Appointment Booking System, is now part of My Home Affairs Online, at myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za. The old address, services.dha.gov.za, forwards to it. It books appointments at DHA branch offices. Bank branch appointments are booked on eHomeAffairs at ehome.dha.gov.za/ehomeaffairsv3 instead.
Do I need an account to book a Home Affairs appointment?
Yes. DHA’s My Home Affairs Online FAQ says you must log in to your account to make a branch appointment booking, and you must be logged in to cancel one. Non-South African citizens can book too, and must give their passport number when booking.
How do I do BABS online booking for an ID card?
Go to myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za, enter your identity details, choose the Smart ID service, then pick a DHA branch, date and time and save your confirmation. BABS is for DHA branch offices. To apply at a bank branch instead, use eHomeAffairs.
Can I use BABS online booking for a passport?
Yes, BABS lists passport applications as a service at participating DHA branch offices. A bank branch works differently: you complete and pay for the application on eHomeAffairs first, then book your biometrics appointment there.
Is www.dha.gov.za the Home Affairs booking website?
www.dha.gov.za is the Department of Home Affairs main website. The bookings themselves are made on BABS at myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za for DHA offices, or on eHomeAffairs at ehome.dha.gov.za/ehomeaffairsv3 for bank branches.
What is the difference between BABS and eHomeAffairs?
BABS books an appointment at a DHA office, where booking is optional. eHomeAffairs lets you complete and pay for a Smart ID or passport application online and then book a required biometrics appointment at a participating bank branch.
Can I book a Home Affairs appointment for someone else?
Through eHomeAffairs you can apply for a directly related minor where the system allows it. Adult bookings are linked to the applicant’s own identity details and cannot be transferred to another person.
The system says user already registered, but I have never registered. What does this mean?
A previous registration or application attempt may already exist under your ID number. If you cannot log in or reset your password, call the DHA Contact Centre on 0800 60 11 90.
What does the date range mean on the Home Affairs booking system?
It is the period the system searches for open appointments at the branch you chose. A wide range can return “no slots found” even when a few exist, so search one or two weeks at a time, and try again early in the morning when released slots appear.
How will I be reminded about my appointment?
The system may send an SMS reminder, and an email reminder if you gave an email address. Keep your barcoded confirmation letter even if you receive a reminder.
Can I book a collection appointment through BABS?
Some DHA offices show document collection as a BABS option, but not all do. Collection normally works as a walk-in once you are notified that your document is ready, at the same office or branch where you applied. See our guide to how ID collection works.
What happens if I arrive late for my appointment?
There is no guaranteed grace period. You may have to wait to be served, or you may need to make a new booking, so arrive a few minutes early.
How long after my appointment will my Smart ID or passport be ready?
Usually around 14 working days, although this varies. Home Affairs sends its own automated SMS when your document is ready. If you applied at a bank branch, the bank may also send its own separate notification.
Is the Home Affairs online booking system available 24/7?
The portals can usually be opened outside office hours, but open slots are not guaranteed at any time. If you cannot find one, check again early in the morning and on different days.
What if the Home Affairs booking system is down?
Try again later or at a quieter time, and make sure you are on the official DHA portal. If you are applying at a DHA office, you can walk in instead. Bank branch applications have to wait until eHomeAffairs is working again.
What does “No slots found” mean on the Home Affairs booking system?
It means the BABS portal found no open appointments for the date range and branch you selected. Widen the date range, try other branches, check early in the morning and after cancellations, or walk in at a DHA office. If you still cannot find a slot, a booking service such as Apostil.co.za can watch for one and book it for you. Apostil.co.za is a paid partner of Home Affairs Guide.
Can pensioners or people with disabilities skip the queue at Home Affairs?
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) told Parliament in an older reply that senior citizens and people with disabilities report at the entrance and are served ahead of other clients. We found no 2026 statement, so ask at the entrance and expect practice to vary by branch.
Can I edit a Home Affairs booking after I make it?
We found no option to edit a booking in place. The safe route is to cancel it and make a new one, or reschedule if the booking system offers that. Standard Bank says a bank booking can be cancelled before payment but not after, and that paid applications are not refunded.
Can I book a Smart ID at a bank where I am not a customer?
It depends on the bank. Standard Bank says you need a Standard Bank account for its online booking, although some of its branches take walk-ins without a prior online application. Other banks differ, so check with the branch before you travel.
Where do I collect my Smart ID if I did my biometrics at a DHA office instead of a bank?
Reports say a card is collected only at the office or bank branch where you applied, so collect it at that DHA office. Confirm with the office when you are told the card is ready.
Need someone to handle the appointment search?
If you have already tried different dates and branches and still cannot find a slot, Apostil can monitor appointment availability and book your appointment when a suitable slot opens.
Book my Home Affairs appointment
Disclosure: Apostil.co.za is a paid partner of Home Affairs Guide, and we may earn a commission if you use it. Booking through the official BABS portal is free.