For general information only. This independent site is not affiliated with any government, bank or agency. Disclaimer.
Last checked: 21 October 2026
Smart ID and passport services at South African bank branches
A plain, sourced guide to which bank branches can take your Smart ID (and in some cases passport) application, what to bring, and what it costs.
- DHA Digital Partnership (since 9 March 2026 [source]): bank staff process the application through a secure link to DHA. Currently for green ID book to Smart ID conversion and Smart ID re-issues only [source]. DHA's live locator lists the branches [source, source].
- Older eHomeAffairs bank branches: apply and pay online at eHomeAffairs, book a slot, then visit a branch hosting DHA for fingerprints and photo. DHA's Gauteng bank-branch page says no walk-ins are allowed at banks [source].
Banks at a glance
| Bank | Digital Partnership branches (DHA locator) | Walk-in or booking | Must be a client? | Extra bank fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capitec | 373 [source] | Walk-in [source] | Yes, pay from a Capitec account (can open one in branch) [source] | R10 (R150 total) [source] |
| Standard Bank | 156 [source] | Walk-in in branch; booking for eHomeAffairs route [source] | Yes [source] | None during launch phase [source] |
| FNB | 135 [source] | Smart ID replacement: no appointment. eHomeAffairs route: booking [source] | Yes, active funded transactional account (Smart ID replacement) [source] | None [source] |
| Absa | 22 [source] | Book online, in app, or walk in [source] | Yes, Cheque or Savings account [source] | Not stated by source |
| Nedbank | Not listed in DHA locator [source] | Booking via eHomeAffairs [source]; DHA's Gauteng bank-branch page says no walk-ins at banks [source] | Payment described via Nedbank app or Online Banking [source]; other options not stated by source | Not stated by source |
Total Digital Partnership branches in the DHA locator on 21 October 2026: 686 [source]. The locator is updated by DHA as branches join [source].
Branches by province
- Eastern Cape (69 Digital Partnership, 2 eHomeAffairs)
- Free State (36 Digital Partnership, 0 eHomeAffairs)
- Gauteng (184 Digital Partnership, 15 eHomeAffairs)
- KwaZulu-Natal (127 Digital Partnership, 2 eHomeAffairs)
- Limpopo (71 Digital Partnership, 1 eHomeAffairs)
- Mpumalanga (61 Digital Partnership, 1 eHomeAffairs)
- North West (32 Digital Partnership, 0 eHomeAffairs)
- Northern Cape (16 Digital Partnership, 1 eHomeAffairs)
- Western Cape (90 Digital Partnership, 6 eHomeAffairs)
What is available at bank branches
Available under the Digital Partnership: Smart ID re-issues (lost, stolen, damaged) and green ID book to Smart ID replacements [source]. What DHA and each bank say about that re-issue: Replacing a lost or stolen Smart ID.
Not yet available there: passport applications (phase 1), first-time IDs (for example turning 16), late birth registration, name changes, amendments to personal details, complex civic services [source]. DHA has said passports and first-time Smart IDs will be added later [source]. What a first ID at 16 requires at a Home Affairs office: First Smart ID at 16.
Short FAQ
Under the DHA Digital Partnership (walk-in model), passports are listed as not yet available in phase 1 [source]. Some banks still run the older eHomeAffairs model, where you apply and pay online, book, then visit a branch with DHA staff. Standard Bank and FNB describe passports through that route [source, source].
Depends on the route. DHA says Capitec and Standard Bank allow walk-ins without an appointment at Digital Partnership branches [source]. FNB says no appointment is needed to replace a Smart ID [source]. Absa offers booking online, in its app, or walking in [source]. DHA's Gauteng bank-branch page says no walk-ins are allowed at banks [source]. Steps, and how BABS differs from a bank visit: Booking and walk-ins.
Per the current bank pages: Capitec (pay with a Capitec account, can open one in branch) [source], Standard Bank (yes) [source], FNB (active, funded transactional account for Smart ID replacement) [source], Absa (Cheque or Savings account) [source]. Nedbank: payment is described through Nedbank Money app or Online Banking; other options not stated by source [source].
DHA fee for a Smart ID re-issue is R140 [source]. DHA says banks may charge a convenience fee [source]. Capitec states R150 total (R140 DHA plus R10 service fee) [source]. FNB states it charges no additional fees [source]. Standard Bank said it will not charge during the launch phase [source]. Absa and Nedbank extra fee: not stated by source.
Not at Digital Partnership branches: DHA says first-time ID applications must be done at a Home Affairs office [source]. Standard Bank lists first-time ID issuing through its online eHomeAffairs route [source]. Documents, a parent, and the fee: First Smart ID at 16.
DHA Digital Partnership FAQ: no, children must apply at a Home Affairs office [source]. FNB (eHomeAffairs route): both parents must accompany a child for a passport, one parent for a Smart ID [source]. The first-ID rules: First Smart ID at 16.
DHA Digital Partnership FAQ: you do not need to bring any documents [source]. For eHomeAffairs bookings, FNB says bring original identity documents [source]; Nedbank says bring your booking confirmation and ID book or card [source]. See Fees and documents. A lost, stolen or damaged card, and where an affidavit or a police report is stated: Replacing a lost or stolen Smart ID.