Home Affairs Expands Smart ID Service to 203 Bank Branches

The Department of Home Affairs has reached another major milestone in its digital transformation programme, with Smart ID The Department of Home Affairs has reached another major milestone in its digital transformation programme, with Smart ID replacement services now available at 203 bank branches across South Africa.

The expansion forms part of the department’s Home Affairs @ home reform programme and has already helped more than 250,000 South Africans obtain replacement Smart ID cards since the service launched on 9 March.

Previously, Smart ID replacement services were available at 248 Home Affairs offices and just 32 bank branches. The addition of 203 participating bank branches has increased access to the service by 73% in just over three months.

Faster access to Smart ID services

The department said the project is helping accelerate efforts to replace the Green ID Book, which remains in use by around 16 million South Africans.

The Green ID Book is considered vulnerable to fraud and identity theft, making the transition to Smart ID cards an important step in strengthening the country’s identity system.

More participating bank branches

According to the department, the 203 participating branches include:

• 109 Capitec branches
• 74 Standard Bank branches
• 20 FNB branches

Applicants are able to complete a fully biometric Smart ID replacement application in as little as five minutes. The process requires no paperwork, no prior booking and is fully digital.

Home Affairs described the project as the largest expansion of access to its services since the dawn of democracy.

Minister welcomes milestone

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber welcomed the achievement.

“Reaching more than 200 participating bank branches and processing over 250 000 transactions in just over three months since the launch of this project is a remarkable achievement and a powerful demonstration of the progress being made through our Home Affairs @ home reform programme. Smart ID replacement services are now closer to all South Africans than ever before,” he said.

Expansion plans for 2026

Schreiber also revealed that the department plans to expand the service significantly before the end of the year.

“Not only will we expand the Smart ID replacement service to 750 branches by the end of this year, but we will shortly also add first-time Smart ID applications, Passport applications, and home deliveries to all of these bank branches,” he said.

Call to replace Green ID Books

The minister again encouraged South Africans who still use the Green ID Book to switch to the Smart ID card.

“I reiterate my call to the people of South Africa: if you still have a Green ID book, help us to eradicate identity theft that feeds illegal immigration and financial fraud by switching to the Smart ID today.”

He added that the department’s digital partnership with banks has made the process easier than ever.

“Just visit dha.gov.za/banks to find your nearest branch and switch today,” Schreiber said.

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