The Department of Home Affairs is urging South Africans who still need their identity documents to apply now in preparation for the upcoming Local Government Elections on 04 November 2026.

The Department is also appealing to the citizens who have not yet collected their IDs, to do so as soon as possible. Citizens who still need to replace a lost or damaged identity document ahead of the elections, are urged to make use of Home Affairs offices or the more than 450 participating bank branches to acquire their documents and not wait until the last minute.

Visit myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za to find your nearest participating bank branch.

Home Affairs is further calling on citizens who already have their identity documents to encourage family members, friends and colleagues who do not yet have a Smart ID, to apply now and collect their documents ahead of the elections.

Minister Leon Schreiber said: “A valid ID document holds the key to democratic participation in the upcoming elections. Home Affairs has dramatically expanded access to this critical service by rolling out digitalised Smart ID services at over 450 bank branches in just five months. I call upon South Africans to make use of our vastly improved services to apply for - and collect - their IDs without delay.”

Media Enquiries:

Ms Ndileka Cola, Department of Home Affairs Head of Communication, Cell: 076 333 3799

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS