How to Apply for South African Smart ID Card Online

In this guide, we’ll show you how to apply for South African smart ID card online. Gone are the days when you’ve to queue at the Home Affairs offices just to get an ID card.

Since the replacement of the old green bar-coded identity book, the Home Affairs have rolled out online application system and partnership with banks, thereby making smart ID card application a lot easier.

However, before you start your smart ID card online application process, let’s take you through the features and requirements of the South African smart ID card.

Features of the Smart ID Card

The Smart ID card is built with a lot of security and durability. It is made of quality polycarbonate materials which will prevent tampering.

The South African Smart ID card has two forms of security features:

• The first is physical security features on the card body such as holograms, laser engraving and personal details which will provide visual verification of the card and easily identify tampered cards.
• Logical security features include fingerprint biometrics and biographic data which is embedded on the 80 kilobytes card chip.

Personalisation with laser engraving of demographic details and photographs makes the new card extremely difficult to forge or tamper with. The smartcard is designed to cut down on the fraudulent use of fake or stolen IDs, which is a major concern.

Requirements for Applying for Smart-ID Card

Permanent resident permit holders (foreign citizens that have been in South Africa for more than 5 years on a temporary permit and now acquired permanent residence) don’t qualify for the new Smart ID card, only the green ID book.

Naturalised citizens (not citizens by birth but have attained citizenship in South Africa) also don’t qualify to apply for new Smart ID card.

Age-group Requirements for Smart ID Applications

If you’re 16 years or older and applying for your first ID ever, the requirements are: 

• Birth certificate.
• Both parent’s ID documents.
• Death certificate, or certified copy thereof if parents are deceased.
• If you’re accompanied by your legal guardian, you must be in possession of a legal document or foster care order with a social development letter.
• Proof of residence (where it’s available) or provide a residential address.
• Free of charge.

Pensioners who are 60 years or older:

• Green bar-coded ID, or affidavit in case the ID is lost.
• Proof of residence (where it’s available) or provide a residential address.
• Marriage certificate, if married (for marriage verification status).
• Divorce decree, if divorced (for divorce verification status).
• Free of charge.

Other citizens (younger than 60 years old and applying for a new smart ID card):

• Green bar-coded ID, or an affidavit in case the ID is lost.
• Proof of residence (where it is available) or provide a residential address.
• Marriage certificate, if married (for marriage verification status).
• Divorce decree, if divorced (for divorce verification status).
• A fee of R140 will be required.

How to Apply for South African Smart ID Card Online

Having said that, let’s take a look at the smart ID card online application process.

Step 1: Go on to the e-Home Affairs website and register. To register, you will need to:

• Complete personal details;
• Create a password, and;
• Answer various questions for security purposes.

Step 2: You will receive an OTP (one-time pin) to confirm your cellphone number. Enter it in, and click submit.

Step 3: You will receive another OTP to login to your profile.

Step 4: Complete your application form for a smart ID card. The fields marked in red are mandatory.

Step 5: It is optional to upload the listed, supporting documents. The originals will be required when visiting a bank branch.

Step 6: You can make an online payment or choose to pay at a branch of a bank. Online payment means you need to log on to your bank’s payment system to complete the transfer. The smart ID card costs R140.

Step 7: Book a slot at a bank that has the Home Affairs service available for your biometrics to be captured. But remember:

• Booking an appointment is needed for a visit to a bank.
• No booking is needed if you are going to a Home Affairs office.

Step 8: Print out your confirmation letter.

Step 9: Remember to take your confirmation letter and your green barcoded ID book when going to the bank to capture your biometrics.

Step 10: You will receive an SMS notifying when your card is ready for collection at the bank.