PRETORIA, Tuesday 27 October 2026 — More than one million South Africans have obtained replacement Smart ID cards through participating bank branches in just over seven months, the Department of Home Affairs announced on Monday, marking a significant milestone in its programme to decentralise identity-document services.
The department said 1,002,773 people had used the service since the first branch began accepting applications under the new digital partnership model on 9 March 2026.
Smart ID service expands to 669 bank branches
Home Affairs said the replacement Smart ID service is now available at 669 participating bank branches nationwide.
The initiative allows eligible applicants to complete the process without prior appointments or paper-based applications.
According to the department, applications take an average of five minutes and use biometric verification.
The digital process is intended to reduce administrative delays and limit opportunities for fraudulent or unauthorised intervention.
Home Affairs said the banking partnership had substantially increased the number of locations where South Africans could access identity-document services.
Department reports major expansion in access
The department said the Government of National Unity inherited 214 permanent Home Affairs offices offering Smart ID services.
With the addition of participating bank branches, it now reports 873 service points nationwide.
That represents an increase of approximately 308% over the original network.
However, the figure measures the expansion of service locations and does not independently establish the average waiting time or accessibility of every branch.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the uptake demonstrated public demand for more convenient government services.
Passport and first-time ID services planned
The department intends to extend the banking partnership beyond replacement Smart ID cards.
Future services are expected to include first-time Smart ID applications, passport applications and home delivery of completed documents.
Schreiber said the department was working towards offering these services at more than 1,000 bank branches.
The additional services have not yet been confirmed as operational at every participating branch.
The department has also announced plans for a broader Digital ID system.
Green ID books scheduled for withdrawal
The expansion forms part of the government’s longer-term plan to replace the approximately 14.7 million green barcoded ID books still in circulation.
Home Affairs has announced that production of green ID books will cease on 31 March 2027.
It also plans to withdraw their recognition as valid identification documents by 31 March 2028.
The proposed transition places additional importance on the department’s ability to provide accessible replacement services before the withdrawal date.
The department has encouraged citizens to use participating bank branches to apply for replacement Smart ID cards.
Further rollout expected
Home Affairs said the next phase would focus on expanding the range of services available through banks and increasing the number of participating locations.
The department has not provided a final completion date for every planned service expansion.
Further progress will depend on the readiness of participating banks, technology systems and arrangements for secure document delivery.
The next significant milestones will be the introduction of first-time applications, passport services and home delivery through the banking network.
