Home Affairs at Your Bank: Smart ID & Passport (2026)

Get a Smart ID or passport at a participating bank branch: apply and pay on eHomeAffairs, then book the bank for biometrics and collection. An independent CluedUp guide.

Step by step

1. Register or log in to eHomeAffairsGo to services.dha.gov.za, create or access your account and verify your details.
2. Apply for your Smart ID or passportSelect the service and complete the online application.
3. Pay onlinePay any applicable fee with your bank card through the portal and keep the reference.
4. Choose a participating bank branchWhen booking, pick a bank branch that offers Home Affairs services and select a date and time.
5. Attend for biometricsVisit the bank branch at your slot so your fingerprints, photo and signature are captured.
6. Collect your documentReturn to the same bank branch to collect your Smart ID or passport when notified.

Home Affairs at your bank lets you apply for a Smart ID or passport at a participating bank branch instead of a Home Affairs office. You apply and pay online through eHomeAffairs at services.dha.gov.za, then book a slot at a bank branch for your fingerprints, photo and collection.

CluedUp is an independent guide. We are not the Department of Home Affairs and this is not the official portal. Confirm the current participating banks, branches, fees and requirements on the official site at services.dha.gov.za.

What “Home Affairs at your bank” means

Through a partnership between the Department of Home Affairs and several banks, selected bank branches host Home Affairs biometric and collection services. You do the online part yourself on eHomeAffairs, then visit a bank branch where your fingerprints and photo are captured and, later, where you collect your Smart ID or passport. The branches use the same eHomeAffairs system as a Home Affairs office, so the application itself is identical.

Which banks offer Home Affairs services?

Several major South African banks participate, commonly including FNB, Standard Bank, Absa, Nedbank and Investec, among others. The list of participating banks and the specific branches that offer the service change over time, so treat any list as a guide rather than the final word.

• Not every branch of a participating bank offers Home Affairs services.
• Banks add and remove branches as the programme expands.
• Check the current list of participating banks and branches on services.dha.gov.za before you choose where to go.

Who qualifies to use the bank route?

The bank channel is generally aimed at customers of the participating bank, and you normally need to apply and pay online through eHomeAffairs first. You must be eligible for the Smart ID card (16 years or older) or the passport you are applying for, and be a South African citizen or qualifying resident.

• You usually need an account with the bank whose branch you want to use.
• You complete the online application and payment before booking the branch slot.
• If you are not a customer of a participating bank, you can still use a Home Affairs office or another participating bank you do bank with.

Step-by-step: how it works

1. Register or log in to eHomeAffairs. Go to services.dha.gov.za, create or access your account and verify your details.
2. Apply for your Smart ID or passport. Select the service and complete the online application.
3. Pay online. Pay any applicable fee with your bank card through the portal and keep the reference.
4. Choose a participating bank branch. When booking, pick a bank branch that offers Home Affairs services, and select a date and time.
5. Attend for biometrics. Visit the bank branch at your slot so your fingerprints, photo and signature can be captured.
6. Collect your document. Return to the same bank branch to collect your Smart ID or passport when notified.

Documents and requirements

• Your existing ID (green barcoded book or current Smart ID), or a passport if renewing one.
• Your South African ID number and confirmed personal details.
• Your eHomeAffairs application and online payment reference.
• Proof that you bank with the participating bank, where the branch requires it.

Requirements differ slightly by document and bank, so check the current list for your application on services.dha.gov.za. For the documents themselves, see our guides on applying for a Smart ID card and applying for a South African passport.

Fees and timing

The Home Affairs fee for a Smart ID re-issue or a passport is set by the Department and paid online through eHomeAffairs. A first-time Smart ID is often free for qualifying applicants. Banks may apply their own service conditions, and fees and timings change, so check the current amount on services.dha.gov.za rather than relying on a figure quoted elsewhere. Collection timing varies by branch and demand.

Pros and cons versus a Home Affairs office

• Pros: branches are often less crowded, may have longer or weekend hours, and can be more convenient if you already bank there.
• Cons: the service is limited to participating banks and specific branches, usually expects you to be a customer, and still requires the online application and payment first.

If a bank branch does not suit you, you can book a standard office visit instead. See our guide on how to book a Home Affairs appointment, and track progress with checking your ID collection status.

Common problems and how to avoid them

• Branch not offering the service. Confirm the specific branch is on the current participating list on services.dha.gov.za before travelling.
• Trying to walk in without applying online. Complete and pay for the application on eHomeAffairs first, then book the branch slot.
• Not a customer of that bank. Use a participating bank you do bank with, or a Home Affairs office.
• Third-party “booking” sites. Only use the official eHomeAffairs portal. Avoid sites that charge extra agent or booking fees for something you can do yourself for free.

Frequently asked questions

Which banks offer Home Affairs Smart ID and passport services?

Several major South African banks participate, commonly including FNB, Standard Bank, Absa, Nedbank and Investec, among others. The list and the specific branches change, so check the current list on services.dha.gov.za.

Do I have to apply online before going to the bank?

Yes. You normally apply and pay online through eHomeAffairs at services.dha.gov.za first, then book a slot at a participating bank branch for your biometrics and collection.

Do I need to be a customer of the bank?

The service is generally aimed at customers of the participating bank. If you do not bank there, use a participating bank you do bank with, or a Home Affairs office.

Is it cheaper to use the bank than a Home Affairs office?

The Home Affairs fee is the same and is paid online through eHomeAffairs. A first-time Smart ID is often free for qualifying applicants. Fees change, so check the current amount on services.dha.gov.za.

Can I collect my Smart ID or passport at the bank?

Yes. When you use the bank channel, you usually return to the same branch to collect your document once it is ready and you are notified.

Is this the official Home Affairs website?

No. CluedUp is an independent guide, not the Department of Home Affairs. The official portal is services.dha.gov.za, and you should avoid third-party sites that charge agent or booking fees.

CluedUp is an independent guide and is not affiliated with any government agency. Fees, links and steps can change — always confirm on the official portal before you act. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.