New Smart ID and Passport Services Coming to More Bank Branches Across South Africa

South Africans needing to replace their Smart ID cards or apply for passports are set to have more options as the Department of Home Affairs continues expanding its partnership with major banks.

The initiative is aimed at making Home Affairs services more accessible by allowing citizens to complete applications at participating bank branches instead of relying solely on traditional Home Affairs offices.

The partnership has expanded rapidly since its rollout in March 2026. By July, 327 bank branches were participating in the programme, alongside 214 modernised Home Affairs offices, giving South Africans access to Smart ID services at 541 locations.

The Department expects the number of participating bank branches to increase to approximately 750 by the end of 2026.

More than just Smart ID renewals

The service is also expected to expand beyond current Smart ID applications.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has said the programme will soon include passport applications and first-time Smart ID applications for adults and minors.

The department is also working towards allowing citizens to have their identity documents and passports delivered to their homes by courier, reducing the need to return to a Home Affairs office simply to collect a document.

The expansion is part of the department's broader Home Affairs @ Home programme, which aims to make civic services more accessible through digital systems and partnerships with the private sector.

Absa joins the programme

Absa became the fourth major banking partner in July, joining Capitec, Standard Bank and FNB.

The expansion also introduced South Africa's first bank-based Home Affairs mobile unit, designed to take Smart ID services to remote, peri-urban and previously underserved communities.

The department said more than 385,000 Smart ID applications had already been processed through the digital partnership by July, highlighting the demand for alternatives to traditional Home Affairs services.

For South Africans who have previously had to take time off work, pay for transport and spend hours waiting at Home Affairs offices, the growing network of bank-based services could make replacing identity documents considerably easier.

The expansion also forms part of government's longer-term plan to move away from the old green barcoded ID book and towards the more secure Smart ID card.