All South Africans can now apply for the new Smart Identity card which replaces the green bar-coded identity document.
How the Smart ID card application works
The new ID card has better security features and is extremely difficult to falsify. You can apply for your new Smart ID card at your nearest Department of Home Affairs offices or online via the eHome Affairs website.
Selected bank branches also offer this service.
Permanent resident permit holders (foreign citizens that have been in South Africa for more than 5 years on a temporary permit and now acquired permanent residence) don't qualify for the new Smart ID card, only the green ID book.
Naturalised citizens (not citizens by birth but have attained citizenship in South Africa) also don’t qualify to apply for new Smart ID card.
Age-group requirements for Smart ID applications:
If you're 16 years or older and applying for your first ID ever, the requirements are:
Pensioners who are 60 years or older:
Other citizens (younger than 60 years old and applying for a new smart ID card):
Where can you apply for a Smart ID card?
1. eHomeAffairs
You can apply online on the eHomeAffairs website where you'll be able to:
The following banks also offer this service at selected branches:
ABSA Bank
First National Bank
Nedbank
Standard Bank
To get your Smart ID card from a bank, you have to be a client of that bank. Please be sure to check with your bank or local bank branch if the service is available to you.
You have to create an online appointment via the eHomeAffairs website, and apply in the bank by submitting your fingerprints for verification.
What do you need to take with after you’ve made the appointment?
2. At your local Home Affairs office
You can also apply at the following Department of Home Affairs offices in the Western Cape that have the new biometric systems available:
Cape Town Regional office
Faircape Buiding, 56 Barrack Street, Cape Town
Tel: 021 468 4500 / 4512 / 4515 / 4535 / 4574 / 4595 / 4599 / 4578
George Regional office
109 York Street , Telkom Building ,George 6530
Tel: 044 805 4100 / 4147 / 4148
Khayelitsha Regional office
Corner of Tsolo And Mzala Street, Khayelitsha, 7793
Tel: 021 360 1800 / 0261
Malmesbury District office
5 Piet Retief Street Malmesbury, 7300
Tel: 022 482 8240 / 8247
Nyanga (Nontsumpa) District office
Corner of New Eisleben & Miller Street, Crossroads, 7755
Tel: 021 380 5140 / 5137
Vredendal District office
Hoërskool Street, Vredendal, 8160
Tel: 080 060 1190
Worcester District office
71-73 Adderley Street Worcester 6850
Tel: 023 348 8304 / 8308 / 8310
Wynberg District office
Maynard Mall, Level 2, 70 Main Road, Wynberg, 7824
Tel: 080 060 1190
Beaufort West office
MPCC, 3 De Vries Street
Tel: 023 414 8360
Bellville office
Boston Centre, 85 Voortrekker Road
Tel: 021 944 6252
Bredasdorp office
Corner of Ou Meule & Long Street
Tel: 028 425 1165 / 1175
Ceres office
Bella Vista Thusong Centre
Tel: 080 060 1190
Mitchells Plain office
Alpha Street, Beacon Valley
Tel: 021 370 3102 / 3103 / 3109
Mossel Bay office
108 Adriaan Street, Asla Park
Tel: 044 693 0054 / 0357
Oudtshoorn office
73 Dassie Road, Bridgton
Tel: 044 203 7700
Paarl office
Corner of 39 Castle Street & Berg River Boulevard
Tel: 021 870 4409 / 4402 / 4415 / 4426
Robertson office
Tel: 0800 601 190
More information