How to get your Smart ID in 10 minutes at these 17 bank branches

By Bulelwa Hoala

South Africans can now apply for Smart IDs at participating Capitec and Standard Bank branches.
Smart ID applications take 5–10 minutes without any paperwork, using a secure API-based system.
The service is live in several branches and is set to expand to 17 branches this week, with updates on www.dha.gov.za/banks.

The Department of Home Affairs has gone live with its new Digital Partnership Model with South Africa’s banking sector.

This comes after Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber on Monday, 9 March 2026, launched the first Capitec branch in Orange Farm and the first Standard Bank branch in Soweto under the digital partnership.

This means that, for the first time under the new fully digital model, South Africans can visit any one of the nine branches where Smart ID applications can be completed in five to 10 minutes without needing to fill in a single piece of paper.

Participating banks are able to connect directly to Home Affairs systems through a secure API-based Digital Gateway, allowing applications to be completed within a matter of minutes.

“With this new model, applicants can enjoy a modern, fully digital experience where it takes just minutes to complete a secure Smart ID application using cutting-edge technology integrated with their local bank branch right in the community where they live,” the department said in a statement.

According to Home Affairs, the number of participating branches is expected to increase to 17 by the end of the week, as First National Bank is in the final phase of testing and other banks are at various stages of development.

If you are a South African citizen, a qualifying naturalised citizen, or a permanent resident who needs to replace your green ID book with a Smart ID, or requires a reissue of your Smart ID, you can visit the following branches:

Capitec

• Orange Farm, Eyethu Mall (Live)
• Howick (Live)
• Swellendam (Live)
• Sandton City (Live)
• Kathu Village Mall (Live)
• Matoks (Live)
• Hermanus (Live)
• Jeffreys Bay, Fountains Mall (Friday)
• Pietermaritzburg (Friday, 13 March)
• Tygervalley (Friday, 13 March)
• Stellenbosch (Friday, 13 March)
• Vredenburg (Friday, 13 March)
• Cape Town V&A (Friday, 13 March)

Standard Bank

• Soweto, Maponya Mall (Live)
• Rosebank (Live)
• Westgate Mall (Thursday, 12 March)
• Parow (Thursday, 12 March)

Home Affairs has assured citizens that additional branches will continue to be added to the list. Stay updated by visiting www.dha.gov.za/banks.