HOW-TO

How to Apply for a Smart ID Card

Replace the old green ID book with a secure Smart ID card. Here is how to apply online through eHomeAffairs or at a Home Affairs-enabled bank, and what to bring.

Step by step

1. Check your eligibilitySmart ID cards are issued to South African citizens and permanent residents. First-time applicants are usually aged 16 or older applying for their first ID.
2. Gather your documentsBring your green barcoded ID book (for a replacement) or your birth certificate (for a first ID). Younger applicants may need a certified copy of a parent or guardian's ID.
3. Register on eHomeAffairsCreate a profile at ehome.dha.gov.za using your ID number, then complete the Smart ID application form online.
4. Pay online if applicableWhere a fee applies, pay through the eHomeAffairs online payment step. Keep the receipt or reference number.
5. Book your branch or bank slotUse the Branch Appointment Booking System to reserve a time at a Home Affairs office or an enabled bank branch.
6. Attend for biometricsGo in person so staff can capture your photograph, fingerprints and signature and verify your documents.
7. Collect your cardFollow your application status and return to collect the Smart ID card when notified, or as directed by the branch.

Why the Smart ID replaced the green book

The Smart ID card is the modern replacement for the old green barcoded ID book. It is a bank-card-sized document with an embedded chip that holds your details securely, making it far harder to forge than the paper book. The Department of Home Affairs has been steadily phasing the green book out, so if you still carry one, moving to a Smart ID is worth doing before you need it in a hurry. CluedUp is an independent civic guide; we explain the official process and send you to the genuine government portals.

Who can apply

Smart ID cards are issued to South African citizens and to permanent residents. First-time applicants are typically young people aged 16 or older applying for their very first identity document, and citizens replacing a lost, damaged or outdated green ID book. If you are applying for a first ID, you will lean on your birth certificate; if you are replacing one, your existing green book is the key document. Applicants who are minors may be asked for a certified copy of a parent or guardian’s ID. It is worth checking the current requirements for your exact situation before you go, because a missing certified copy is one of the most common reasons people are turned away and have to return another day. Certification must usually be recent, so an old stamped copy may not be accepted.

Applying online through eHomeAffairs

The most convenient route is eHomeAffairs at ehome.dha.gov.za. You register a profile using your ID number, complete the Smart ID application, and, where a fee applies, pay online. The system then lets you arrange a branch or partner-bank visit. A growing number of banks host Home Affairs desks, and for many people these are quicker and closer than a traditional office. If you would rather reserve a specific slot, see our walkthrough on how to book a Home Affairs appointment.

A branch visit is mandatory for the capture and verification of your biometric details, meaning your photograph, fingerprints and signature. There is no way to complete this remotely.

What it costs

As of 2026, first-time issue of a Smart ID card for eligible citizens aged 16 and above is generally free. A replacement card carries a fee, historically in the region of R140, but fees are set by Home Affairs and are subject to change, so confirm the current amount on dha.gov.za before you pay. Be wary of anyone quoting an unusual figure or asking for cash ‘on the side’ to hurry things along.

On the day and afterwards

Bring your supporting documents, both originals and any copies requested. Staff will capture your biometrics and verify your paperwork, then process the application. You can track progress using our guide on how to check your Home Affairs application status, and you will be told when and where to collect the finished card. If you are also sorting out travel documents, our guide on how to apply for or renew a South African passport covers that process too.

Avoiding scams

The Smart ID process attracts opportunists. Some set up lookalike websites; others offer to ‘fast-track’ your card for a fee. The genuine service lives only on the dha.gov.za portals, and no legitimate official will ask you to pay a bribe or to hand over your one-time PIN so they can log in as you. Home Affairs will never ask for your OTP or passwords. If someone does, treat it as fraud and walk away. If you think you have been targeted, report it through the proper channels rather than engaging further. A good rule of thumb is that anything asking for money outside the official eHomeAffairs payment step, or for your login codes, is not legitimate. This article is general information, not legal advice, and details can change, so always verify on dha.gov.za.

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.