A million applications outside the traditional Home Affairs queue

More than one million people have used South Africa’s bank-based Smart ID service since its new digital partnership model launched on 9 March 2026, according to figures released by the Department of Home Affairs on Monday 26 October.

The department says 1,002,773 citizens have been served at 669 participating bank branches. Including its 214 permanent Home Affairs offices, it counts 873 Smart ID service points nationwide. The department describes that as a 308% increase over the 214-office baseline it inherited. These are departmental figures, not an independently audited service-quality assessment.

What the bank service actually does

The participating bank branches currently offer a digital route for replacement Smart ID applications, using biometric verification rather than the traditional paper-driven process. Home Affairs says the average application takes around five minutes and that customers can walk in without a prior booking at the participating locations.

That does not mean every bank branch provides the service, or that every category of application is available everywhere. The practical first step is to check the department’s official participating-branch directory before travelling.

Passports and first-time IDs are still on the roadmap

Home Affairs says it plans to extend the bank network to first-time Smart ID applications, passport services and home delivery. These were described in the 26 October statement as forthcoming services. They should not be mistaken for options already operating at all 669 branches.

The department also says its wider digital identity programme is intended to complement physical documents. Digital transformation may reduce opportunities for paperwork-related manipulation, but claims about security and efficiency will ultimately depend on consistent implementation and public oversight.

The green ID book deadlines matter

According to the department, around 14.7 million green barcoded ID books remain in circulation. The government has announced that production of new green ID books will end on 31 March 2027, with recognition of the green book as a valid form of identification scheduled to end on 31 March 2028.

Those dates make the bank rollout relevant far beyond an administrative milestone. Citizens should check the latest official guidance as deadlines approach, particularly if they need an ID for voting, employment, banking or other essential services.

Sources and verification

Department of Home Affairs official milestone statement, 26 October 2026: Read source ↗

The Citizen — bank branch rollout reporting, 26 October 2026: Read source ↗

Department of Home Affairs — initial bank service launch, 9 March 2026: Read source ↗