Everything you need to apply for a smart ID card or South African passport: what it costs, which bank branches take Home Affairs appointments, how to book online, and the latest Home Affairs news.
Latest Home Affairs news
- Home Affairs Withdraws Asylum Directive After 24 Vehicles Torched · 9 Oct 2026
- Home Affairs Asylum Rules Explained: What Changed, Who Can Apply And What The Constitutional Court Ruling Means · 7 Oct 2026
- Home Affairs Extends Weekend Hours as 370,000 Smart IDs Await Collection · 19 Jun 2026
- Home Affairs Gives South Africans Until 10 July to Resolve Blocked ID's · 2 Jun 2026
What it costs
| Document | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Smart ID card | R140 | Free for first-time applicants aged 16, and for people 60 and over |
| Tourist passport (32 pages) | R600 | Standard adult passport |
| Maxi passport (48 pages) | R1,200 | For frequent travellers |
| Child passport | R600 | Under 16 |
Apply at a bank branch – skip the Home Affairs queue
Through the Home Affairs digital partnership you can apply for a smart ID at participating bank branches – passport services at banks are being added in phases, so check the eHomeAffairs portal for what your branch offers before booking. The banks charge no extra fee for the Live Capture appointment – you pay only the standard Home Affairs fee.
- Register on the eHomeAffairs portal (ehome.dha.gov.za) and complete the online application.
- Pay the fee online via the portal.
- Book a Live Capture slot at a participating bank branch (or a Home Affairs office).
- Visit with your original documents for photo and fingerprint capture.
- Collect at the same branch when notified by SMS.
Which banks offer Smart ID services (as at October 2026)
| Bank | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Bank | Live | Among the first branches to offer Live Capture |
| FNB | Live | FNB clients only; branch roll-out expanding |
| Capitec | Live since March 2026 | Replacement smart IDs only for now (lost, stolen, damaged or green book upgrades); first time IDs and passport renewals planned |
| Nedbank, Absa, TymeBank, Discovery Bank, African Bank | Announced | Roll-out to follow |
Home Affairs is targeting 750 participating bank branches by the end of 2026, and fees at a bank are the same as at a Home Affairs office. Branch lists change monthly – confirm your nearest Live Capture branch on the eHomeAffairs portal or your bank’s app before you go.
Getting a first ID at 16
First smart ID cards are free for 16 year olds. Apply well before January, when matric registration season fills branch and office queues. Bring your birth certificate and a certified copy of a parent’s or guardian’s ID. First time applications are not yet available at every bank branch, so a Home Affairs office is the safer route for a first card.
Common questions
How long does a smart ID take? Typically around 14 working days from biometric capture; passports are often faster. The SMS notification is the reliable signal – collection before it arrives wastes a trip.
Do green ID books still work? Yes, they remain legal identity documents, but Home Affairs is phasing them out and banks increasingly ask for the smart card – upgrading is worth the R140.
Travelling soon? Check visa and entry requirement changes for South African passport holders in our International Travel section.