Home Affairs is set to roll out its Smart ID replacement services across an unprecedented number of bank branches, marking the biggest push yet to bring identity documentation into the communities where South Africans live and work. Minister Leon Schreiber announced the expansion during the department’s 2026/27 budget vote in the National Council of Provinces, highlighting that more than 127 000 citizens have already used the new system in just eight weeks.
The rollout builds on a decade‑old pilot that placed Home Affairs staff in roughly 30 bank outlets. The revamped model removes the need for departmental personnel altogether, giving banks full control over the end‑to‑end process. Capitec, FNB and Standard Bank have already taken the partnership to over 150 branches, cutting application times to a five‑minute digital interaction.
“Instead of forcing someone to take a full day off work, we now enable a quick, online appointment and a swift, secure replacement,” Schreiber said. “Our digital partnership has already lifted access to Smart ID replacement by 47 % within just two months.” The minister added that the department plans to activate Smart ID replacement services at 750 bank branches by the end of 2026, with a sharp focus on rural and historically underserved areas.
Smart ID expansion targets and timelines
| Milestone | Target Branches | Completion Date | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current rollout | 150+ (Capitec, FNB, Standard Bank) | Ongoing | Quick‑digitised replacements |
| Mid‑2026 goal | 750 | End of 2026 | Rural and underserved communities |
| Medium‑term aim | 1 000 | 2028/29 | Nationwide coverage, including first‑time IDs and passports |
The table shows a clear acceleration from the initial 150 branches to an ambitious 750 by year‑end, underscoring the government’s drive to decentralise services and reduce travel burdens for citizens.
Beyond replacements, Home Affairs will soon extend the partnership to first‑time ID applications, passport processing and home delivery of documents. The upcoming door‑to‑door option aims to eliminate the need for any physical collection, letting South Africans receive their new Smart ID or passport straight to their doorstep.
A revamped online booking platform also forms part of the overhaul. The previous system, plagued by abuse and resale of appointment slots, has been replaced with a secure portal that curtails fraudulent bookings. While the minister cautioned that the new site may need a fortnight to stabilise, he assured users that the safeguards are now robust.
The department’s long‑term vision goes further, with a Digital ID on the horizon. Draft regulations released under the Identification Act set out the legal framework for a smartphone‑based identity that would let citizens access Home Affairs services and other critical government functions digitally. Schreiber invited stakeholders to submit comments before the 6 June deadline, positioning the Digital ID as a bridge to the modern digital economy.
Transitioning away from the Green ID book remains a pressing priority. The outdated paper format, which the minister described as “the most defrauded document on the African continent,” continues to fuel identity theft and illegal immigration. In 2025 the department issued a record 4 million Smart IDs, and scaling up the digital partnership is expected to accelerate the phase‑out of the Green ID entirely.
| Document type | Annual issuance (2025) | Fraud risk | Future outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart ID | 4 million | Low | Expansion via banks, digital upgrade |
| Green ID book | < 500 000 | High | Planned de‑recognition, phase‑out |
The comparison highlights the stark contrast between the secure, widely issued Smart ID and the vulnerable Green ID, reinforcing the government’s intent to retire the latter.
Overall, the expanded bank partnership and the forthcoming Digital ID signal a decisive shift toward a more accessible, technology‑driven identity ecosystem in South Africa. By embedding services in local banking halls and eventually delivering them straight to doorsteps, Home Affairs hopes to cut bureaucracy, curb fraud and bring essential documentation within reach of every citizen, no matter where they live.