Home Affairs expands Smart ID services to 203 bank branches, processes 250,000 applications

<p>Home Affairs said the expansion is aimed at accelerating the replacement of the Green ID Book, which is still used by about 16 million South Africans and remains vulnerable to fraud and identity theft.</p>

<p>Image: Leon Schreiber / X</p>

<p>The Department of Home Affairs has expanded its Smart ID replacement service to 203 bank branches across South Africa as part of its ongoing digital transformation programme.</p>

<p>The department said more than 250,000 people have already used the service to obtain replacement Smart ID cards since its launch on March 9.</p>

<p>Before the introduction of the new banking partnership model, Smart ID replacement services were available at 248 Home Affairs offices and 32 bank branches. The addition of 203 bank branches has increased access to the service by 73% in just over three months.</p>

<p>Home Affairs said the expansion is aimed at accelerating the replacement of the Green ID Book, which is still used by about 16 million South Africans and remains vulnerable to fraud and identity theft.</p>

<p>The department noted that replacing the Green ID Book with the Smart ID card is critical to strengthening the integrity of South Africa’s identity system, protecting citizens from fraud and securing the population register.</p>

<p>The 203 participating branches include 109 Capitec branches, 74 Standard Bank branches and 20 FNB branches.</p>

<p>According to Home Affairs, applicants can complete a fully biometric Smart ID application process at participating branches in as little as five minutes. The process requires no paperwork and no prior booking.</p>