South Africa’s identity landscape is undergoing its most aggressive digital overhaul to date. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA), backed by directives from President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Leon Schreiber, has accelerated plans to completely phase out the legacy green barcoded ID book.
With impersonation fraud involving the old green books skyrocketing by 400% year-on-year due to generative AI vulnerabilities, the push to migrate South Africa’s remaining 16 million green book holders to the biometric-powered Polycarbonate Smart ID Card is now an urgent national security priority.
To achieve this, the DHA has radically scaled up its digital partnership model with commercial banks, making it easier than ever to ditch the green book without setting foot in a traditional Home Affairs branch.
The Banking Game-Changer: Capitec’s Massive Rollout
While major banks like FNB and Standard Bank have long offered Home Affairs services at select urban centers, the biggest news of mid-2026 is the explosive expansion of Capitec’s in-branch Smart ID service.
Following its official launch in March 2026, Capitec has bypassed the old model of relying on physically stationed Home Affairs officials. Instead, they pioneered proprietary Self-Service Terminals (SSTs) built on Amazon Web Services that link directly to the upgraded National Population Register.
- 127 Live Branches: As of late June 2026, Capitec has scaled its Smart ID services to 127 branches, aggressively targeting not just cities, but rural and peri-urban districts such as Mankweng and Mokopane in Limpopo.
- The Network Target: The DHA’s banking model has rapidly expanded access by 73%, welcoming over 200 bank branches nationwide (with Standard Bank holding the second-largest footprint at 74 branches). Minister Schreiber announced a target to expand this to 750 bank branches by the end of 2026.
Who Can Apply at a Bank and How Much Does It Cost?
Currently, the bank-facilitated infrastructure is optimized for specific identity maintenance tasks rather than general enrollment.
Who is Eligible?
The banking service is strictly available for Smart ID replacements. This includes:
- Upgrading your old green barcoded ID book to a Smart ID Card.
- Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged Smart ID card.
Note: First-time ID applicants (such as youth turning 16) cannot use the bank branches yet and must apply via a standard DHA office with an original birth certificate.
The Cost Structure
Applying via a participating bank branch keeps costs highly predictable:
| Fee Component | Amount |
| DHA Application Fee | R140 |
| Bank Service Fee | R10 |
| Total Cost | R150 |
Account Requirement: To use the service at a specific bank (like Capitec), you generally need to hold an active transactional account with them to process the digital payment. If you do not have one, branches allow you to open an account on the spot before starting the ID application.
Step-by-Step: Getting Your Smart ID in Less Than 5 Minutes
The in-branch biometric system has reduced the application timeframe down to a rapid, paperless interaction.
1.Verify Branch Availability:Step 1.
Check the official blog or website of your respective bank (Capitec, Standard Bank, FNB, etc.) to confirm that your local branch is actively equipped with a live-capture Home Affairs terminal.
2.Visit the Branch In-Person:Step 2.
Head to the select branch. No complicated prior bookings are required for the self-service terminals. Bring your existing green ID book along to help verify your account credentials.
3.Capture Biometrics:Step 3.
Input your ID number at the Self-Service Terminal. The system will guide you through a quick, high-definition photo capture, fingerprint scanning, and a digital signature layout.
4.Process the Payment:Step 4.
The terminal will securely deduct the R150 fee directly from your active bank account. No cash is handled for the transaction.
5.Collect Within Weeks:Step 5.
Your biometric data is validated against the national registry in real time. Once processed, your card is printed and delivered back to the exact same bank branch. You will receive an SMS notification to come and collect it.
What Happens to Your Old Green ID Book?
As the government moves closer to declaring an official invalidation date for the green booklet, a common point of confusion is what happens to the physical book when you upgrade.
Historically, the DHA required the complete confiscation and destruction of the green book under the Identification Act. However, current Home Affairs directives have shifted. To prevent administrative bottlenecks, officials and bank staff are instructed not to confiscate the books, but rather to deface or invalidate them (usually by hole-punching or cutting the photo page).
Be aware that once your green book is defaced or your Smart ID is issued, the old booklet is completely deactivated on the population register. It can no longer be used for official verification checks, vehicle licensing, or financial transactions.