South Africans apply for smart IDs through bank branches
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More than one million South Africans have applied for replacement Smart ID cards through a partnership between the department of home affairs and the banking sector.
The department of home affairs reported that 1,002,773 people used the digital service since its launch in March 2026. Citizens can currently apply for these cards at 669 participating bank branches across the country. The digital process uses biometric verification and takes about five minutes to complete.
The department aims to improve efficiency and reduce fraud by moving away from manual paperwork and in-person processing at government offices. Home affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the high adoption rate shows strong public demand for streamlined government services. The department plans to expand these bank services to include passport applications, first-time Smart ID applications, and home delivery options in the coming months.
This initiative supports a government plan to phase out the Green ID Book, which will lose its status as a valid form of identification by 31 March 2028.
