Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced that 146 bank branches are now live across South Africa, making it easy for people to replace their green ID books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Approximately 16 million South Africans still rely on the green ID book, which is among the most frequently defrauded documents in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAccelerating the transition to the Smart ID is critical to strengthening the country\u2019s identity system and protecting citizens from identity fraud,\u201d Schreiber said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To accelerate this transition, the Department of Home Affairs launched a new Digital Partnership Model with South Africa\u2019s banking sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This model entered its live operational phase on 9 March 2026. It offers a fully digital experience where it takes just minutes to complete a Smart ID application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is achieved using cutting-edge technology, integrated with their local bank branch in the area where people live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
South African citizens, including qualifying naturalised citizens and permanent residents who still have green ID books, can convert to Smart ID Cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This initiative forms part of the Home Affairs @ home digital transformation programme to make it easier for South Africans to access identity and civic services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt signals our commitment to this new era in which Home Affairs services move closer to the people through digital and automated channels,\u201d said Schreiber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It includes extending the existing technological integration between Home Affairs and the banking sector, known as the Online Verification Service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Participating banks connect directly to Home Affairs systems through a secure API-based Digital Gateway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This allows applications to be completed within a matter of minutes through the bank\u2019s own service environment, without the need to fill in paperwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This decentralises and dramatically expands the number of secure and dignified service points available to citizens across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most of the country\u2019s top banks form part of the programme, including Capitec Bank, Standard Bank, Absa, and FNB.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In March 2026, the first Capitec and Standard Bank branches went live. On 1 April 2026, the first FNB branches went live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n