Can you apply ONLINE for a South African Smart ID?

If you’ve had your ID stolen or lost recently, the good news is you can apply online for a South African Smart ID. How and how much it will cost you is what we’ll explain now …

APPLY ONLINE FOR A SOUTH AFRICAN SMART ID

The Smart ID card was introduced by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) back in 2013 to replace the green ID book. If rumours are to be believed, there is talk of the green ID booklets being phased out as soon as next year (2024). If that is the case – and we can neither confirm nor deny it – here’s how you can apply online for a South African Smart ID.

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First of all, you must be 16 years of age or older and be a South African citizen. You will need your green ID booklet (if you have one) and/or a driver’s license/passport as proof of identification. In certain circumstances, if you were born elsewhere, a government-issued foreign ID card/passport from your birth country may be accepted.

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We’ve been inundated with questions about who is eligible for South African citizenship and permanent residence. This can be either through NATURALISATION or DESCENT. These are not the focus topics for this article. However, you can click on the highlighted links above if you need guidance.

HOW YOU CAN APPLY ONLINE

• 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. Refer below for a full list required.
• From there you will make an EFT payment online. If you don’t have access to online 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. These can only be done on-site.

THE DOCUMENTS YOU WILL NEED

When you apply online for a South African Smart ID, you must submit the following documents (if applicable). This is so old identify documents cannot be used nefariously to clone identities:

• 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.
• 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 online for a South African Smart ID is R140 if you are old than 16-years of age.

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Did you find this information on how to apply online for a South African Smart ID helpful? 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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