A first-time Smart ID is free: the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) waives the R140 fee for anyone who has never held a Smart ID or green ID book, and most first-time applicants are 16. This page covers who can apply, what the applicant and parent must bring, where to apply, the steps, and special situations.
In summary
- Fee: free for a first-ever Smart ID. Replacements cost R140.
- Age: from your 16th birthday, not before.
- Parent: must attend with any applicant under 18.
- Bring: Form BI-9, the birth certificate, proof of address, and the parent’s ID.
- Where: a DHA office, or an eHomeAffairs bank branch with a booking. Not Capitec.
The first Smart ID is free
If you have never had a South African Smart ID or green ID book, your first application is free. It is most often a 16-year-old applying, because 16 is the minimum age, but the waiver is for the first application, not for being 16.
| Applicant | Fee |
|---|---|
| First-time applicant (never had any South African ID) | Free |
| Replacement, reissue or conversion | R140 |
| Citizens aged 60 and over | Free |
Keep the card safe: the free waiver applies once, and a replacement costs R140.
Who can apply
You can apply for your first Smart ID if you:
- Are a South African citizen, by birth, descent or naturalisation
- Are 16 or older
- Have never received a Smart ID or green ID book
You cannot apply before your 16th birthday, even by a day.
Why get a Smart ID at 16
According to South African Government Services, you need a Smart ID for:
- Matric rewrite and upgrade registration (in-school registration can use a birth certificate)
- Learner’s and driver’s licences
- Opening a bank account
- Applying for jobs
- Registering to vote (you can register from 16 and vote from 18)
- Applying for a passport
- SASSA grants and government services
Processing takes 10 to 14 working days, so apply well before any deadline.
Documents
The applicant brings:
- Form BI-9, completed in black ink and block letters (available at DHA offices, or online on eHomeAffairs)
- The original birth certificate and a certified copy
- Proof of address: a utility bill in the applicant’s name, or in a parent’s name with an affidavit that the applicant lives there
The parent or legal guardian brings:
- Their original Smart ID or green ID book and a certified copy
- If both parents have died: certified copies of both death certificates and a court order confirming guardianship
- If the applicant was adopted: the adoption court order
- If the father’s details are not on the birth certificate and the parents are not together: the present parent’s ID and, if available, the other parent’s ID or a sworn affidavit from the present parent
A parent or legal guardian must attend in person for any applicant under 18.
Not sure what to take? Use our free Home Affairs checklist.
Step by step
Online route (eHomeAffairs, citizens by birth)
- Register at ehome.dha.gov.za/ehomeaffairsv3 with the applicant’s ID number (from the birth certificate), details and cellphone number
- Complete Form BI-9 online, exactly as the details appear on the birth certificate
- Upload any documents requested
- No payment is needed; the fee is waived for first-time applicants
- Book an appointment at a DHA office or participating bank branch
- Attend with the parent or guardian and all original documents
- Have the applicant’s photo and fingerprints captured
- Wait about 10 to 14 working days
- Collect in person where the biometrics were taken
Walk-in route (no internet needed)
- Go to any DHA live capture office; walk-ins are accepted, but queues can be long
- Complete Form BI-9 at the office
- Submit it with all originals and certified copies
- Pay nothing for a first application
- Have biometrics captured and wait for the notification
Where to apply
DHA live capture offices in every province. Walk in, or book on BABS at myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za to reduce waiting.
eHomeAffairs bank branches (Absa, FNB, Standard Bank, Nedbank, Investec, Discovery), with a booking made on eHomeAffairs first. Check that the branch serves minors before you travel.
Not Capitec, and not bank walk-in branches: these handle replacements and green ID book conversions only. See which banks offer Smart ID services.
After you apply
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 message. They are not linked, so you may receive one, both or neither. The 32551 SMS status line has been discontinued. See the Smart ID status check. The applicant collects in person where the biometrics were taken.
Special situations
The birth was never registered. You need a birth certificate and ID number first. Register the birth through the late registration process at a DHA office. See late birth registration.
One parent has died. The surviving parent attends with their own ID and a certified copy of the death certificate.
Both parents have died. Bring certified copies of both death certificates and a court order confirming who is the legal guardian.
The parents are not South African. If the applicant is a citizen by birth, the parents’ nationality does not affect eligibility. The attending parent brings a valid foreign passport or government ID.
You are over 18 and applying for your first ID. The waiver is for first applications, but older first-time applications are sometimes charged R140 depending on how the system categorises them. Confirm at the counter before paying.
What you cannot do
- You cannot apply before your 16th birthday.
- An applicant under 18 cannot attend without a parent or legal guardian.
- You cannot apply for a first Smart ID at Capitec or at a bank walk-in branch.
- You cannot get a green ID book; new applicants receive a Smart ID card.
- You cannot check your status by SMS. The 32551 line is discontinued.
Official contact details
| Channel | Status | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| DHA Contact Centre | Active | 0800 60 11 90 |
| Active | hacc@dha.gov.za | |
| eHomeAffairs | Active | ehome.dha.gov.za/ehomeaffairsv3 |
| Appointment booking (BABS) | Active | myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za |
| Anti-corruption hotline | Active | 0800 701 701 |
| Status check SMS (32551) | Discontinued | Shut down after phishing abuse |
Frequently asked questions
Is the first Smart ID really free?
Yes. Home Affairs waives the R140 fee for a first-time applicant who has never held a Smart ID or green ID book. Most first-time applicants are 16, but the waiver is for the first application, not the age. Adults applying for the first time should confirm the waiver at the counter before paying.
Can my child apply without me?
No. A parent or legal guardian must attend in person with any applicant under 18.
Do I need a birth certificate to apply?
Yes. The birth certificate and ID number are the starting point. If the birth was never registered, register it first through the late registration process.
My child turns 16 next month. Can we apply now?
No. The application can only be made on or after the 16th birthday. You can prepare the documents in advance.
Can a first-time applicant apply at a bank?
Yes at eHomeAffairs bank branches, if the applicant is a citizen by birth and the application is started online, with a parent attending. Not at Capitec, which handles replacements only. Check with the branch that it serves minors before you go.
What if the details on the birth certificate are wrong?
Correct the birth certificate first. Any error will carry through to the Smart ID and the population register.
How long does a first-time Smart ID take?
Usually 10 to 14 working days from the biometrics appointment. Apply at least 3 to 4 weeks before any deadline.
How do I check the status?
Wait for Home Affairs’ automated SMS, and the bank’s own message if you applied at a bank. The 32551 SMS status line has been discontinued, so call 0800 60 11 90 if you hear nothing after 14 working days.
My child is 16 and has never had an ID. Can they write matric?
Learners enrolled at school can register for matric with a birth certificate. A Smart ID is needed for rewrites, upgrades and adult matric registration, so apply well before the registration deadline.