The Identification Act, 1997 (Act No. 68 of 1997), provides for the issuance of an identity document as soon as one is eligible (from 16 years old and above) to prove one’s identity. There are many occasions where you will be required to provide a copy of your identity document. For an example, for access to housing, education, healthcare services, to apply for a driver’s license or a job, when entering into business agreements and even when registering for the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).

You will also require an identity document to apply for a passport and a visa to work, study or to visit friends and family abroad, even to register to vote during the National, Provincial and Municipal elections.

Identity documents are issued to South African Citizens and Permanent Residence Permit Holders from the age of 16 years.

Smart ID cards can only be applied for at modernised offices (for a full list, Click Here ) which include banks, DHA offices in the Malls and mobile offices.

The Green Barcoded ID Book can only be collected from the office where the application was made. For Smart ID cards, collections can be done at your preferred modernised office that you would have chosen at the time of applying.

People living abroad can apply for ID books at the South African missions or consulates. All applications are sent to the Department’s Head Office in Pretoria for processing. It is important to note that delivery will take longer than a local application due to the applicable logistics.

The Department uses the cellphone number that you have provided during the application process to send you updates about progress and the readiness for collection of your document.

First-time applicant: (if in position of an ID book your application is a re-issue)

1. Must be accompanied by their parent/s where parents are alive. It can be one parent in person.
2. Where parents are deceased, an informant or legal guardian should accompany the applicant
3. Required documents are as follows:
   • A certified copy of a birth certificate
   • A certified copy of the parents, informant or legal guardian’s ID
   • Certified copies of a death certificate and (in cases where a parent is deceased)
   • A Certified ID copy of the deceased parent
4. No payment is required

Re-issue of a Smart ID card:

1. If replacing the Green Barcoded ID book with a Smart ID card, a copy of the green bar-coded identity document/affidavit is required in case the identity document is lost
2. If replacing a Smart ID card, a copy of the old/lost/damaged card or an affidavitis required
3. A marriage certificate is required in case you have changed status
4. A divorce decree, if divorced
5. The fee for the re-issue is R140.00

First time applicant:

Applicants must submit the following documents to their nearest Department of Home Affairs office or South African mission or consulate abroad:

• A certified copy of your birth certificate or reference book
• Two identical colour photographs
• A full set of fingerprints in an applicable form.

Naturalised Citizens and Permanent Resident Permit (PR) holders:

If you are a naturalised citizen or a permanent residence permit holder, you must provide the following:

• Your original naturalisation certificate and a copy thereof, which will be certified by Home Affairs
• Your original permanent residency certificate and a copy thereof, which will be certified by Home Affairs
• Your original exemption certificate and a copy, which will be certified by Home Affairs

If the naturalisation certificate, permanent residence permit or exemption certificate cannot be furnished, you must apply for a re-print/copy before submitting the ID book application.

Re-issue of an ID book

You can apply to have your ID book re-issued:

• Provide an affidavit where you have lost or damaged your Green Barcoded ID book
• If you are married and want to assume the surname of your spouse, you must submit a certified copy of your marriage certificate
• The required fee is R140.00

A Temporary Identification Certificate (TIC), valid for two months, can be issued at a fee of R70.00. The application is subject to positive verification of your fingerprints.