PRETORIA, Wednesday 11 November 2026 — The Department of Home Affairs has expanded Smart ID replacement services to 753 bank branches across South Africa, exceeding its rollout target more than four months ahead of schedule, Minister Leon Schreiber announced on Wednesday.
The department had initially aimed to make the service available at 750 bank branches by the end of March 2027 under its Home Affairs @ home reform programme.
Schreiber said the target had been surpassed eight months after the department launched its expanded digital partnership with the banking sector on 9 March 2026.
More than one million people have used the service
According to Home Affairs, more than one million South Africans have already benefited from the expanded bank-based service channel.
The department said the addition of participating bank branches had increased its Smart ID service footprint from 214 equipped Home Affairs offices to 967 locations nationwide.
This represents an increase of more than 350% in the number of locations offering access to the service.
The department described the expansion as an effort to make identity-document services more accessible, particularly in communities that previously had limited access to Smart ID facilities.
Four major banks participating
The programme currently operates through participating branches of Absa, Capitec, First National Bank and Standard Bank.
Home Affairs said eligible citizens can visit participating branches without making an appointment or completing paperwork beforehand.
Applications are processed using biometric technology, with the department saying the application process can take approximately five minutes.
The department has indicated that additional banks and services will be incorporated into the programme.
Expansion supports move away from green ID books
The rollout forms part of Home Affairs’ broader plan to replace the green barcoded identity book with the Smart ID card.
The department has identified the older document as more vulnerable to fraud and identity theft, and says wider access to Smart ID services is necessary before the green ID book can eventually be phased out.
Schreiber said the expanded banking partnership demonstrated how digital systems could improve access to government services.
The department has not announced a final date for withdrawing green ID books.
South Africans can check participating bank branches through the department’s online service portal.
Further expansion is expected as Home Affairs works to increase access to identity-document services and modernise its administrative systems.
