smart ID passports at banks
More bank branches to offer DHA services. Picture: DHA.

Home » Important INFO if you’re applying for a South African ID online

Important INFO if you’re applying for a South African ID online

Not matter if it’s lost or stolen, there’s some important info you need to know when applying for a South African ID online.

01-12-23 09:36
smart ID passports at banks
More bank branches to offer DHA services. Picture: DHA.

If you’re applying for a South African ID online, perhaps you’ve had yours lost, stolen, or cloned. Or even if you just want to leave the green mamba behind, here’s what you’ll need to know to apply for a South African ID online …

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The South African Smart ID card replaced the green mamba ID booklet exactly a decade ago, in 2013. The thinking behind it by Department of Home Affairs (DHA) was to create a safer and more high-tech form of identification, that would be harder to clone by criminals.

SOUTH AFRICAN ID ONLINE

South African ID online
Home Affairs Ministers shows off here South African Smart ID Card. Picture: DHA.

Existing green booklets haven’t been phased out yet, but you never know when they will be, so if you haven’t done so already, it’s best to apply for a South African ID online before it’s too late. It’s a fairly straightforward process to book online, but you do still need to visit a DHA branch for biometrics. But more about that later …

SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZEN

First of all, you must be 16 years of age or older and be a valid South African citizen. If this is the case, you will need to produce your old green ID booklet (if you have one), a driver’s license or passport as identification.

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WHAT IF YOU’RE FOREIGN BORN?

South African ID online
Important information if you’re applying for a South African ID online. Picture: File.

In certain instances, if you were born in a foreign country but are eligible to apply for a South African ID online, a government-issue foreign identification card or passport from the country of your birth can be used as valid identification

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THESE DOCUMENTS

When you apply for a South African ID online you must submit the following documents (if applicable):

  • Green ID booklet.
  • Birth certificate for new applicants.
  • Travel or ID documents of the old Transkei, Bophutatswana, Venda, or Ciskei homelands.
  • Documentation verifying a legal guardian in case of adoption.

PARENTAL CERTIFICATES

unabridged birth certificate
Picture: XL Bay travel.
  • You will also need your parents’ IDs.
  • Your parent’s death certificates for any or all deceased parents.
  • Proof of address (a utility bill with your name and address on it).
  • Permanent resident certificate for those born elsewhere.
  • Sworn and signed police affidavit and police case number if you lost or had your ID document stolen.
  • Any 16-year-old first-time applicants can apply for a smart ID online for free.
  • The cost to apply for a smart ID online is R140 if you are old than 16-years of age, are replacing your green mamba ID, or are replacing a lost or stolen Smart ID.

HERE’S HOW YOU APPLY

Visit the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) eHome website:

  • Click on Apply Online for Your Smart ID or Passport.
  • Select Go to Registration.
  • Fill in all your details: Name, ID number, passport number or birth certificate number, date of birth, email address, and cell phone number.
  • Press Next.
  • Then you will upload all the necessary documents listed earlier.
  • From there you will make an EFT payment online. If you don’t have digital banking, you can visit your bank in-person to physically make a deposit payment.
  • After payment is confirmed, select a convenient Home Affairs branch to provide your fingerprints and have your ID photograph taken.

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Did you find this information on South African smart ID online application? Have you been through this process recently? Be sure to share your thoughts with our audience in the comments section below. And don’t forget to follow us @TheSAnews on Twitter and The South African on Facebook for the latest updates.

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