Worldwide recently reported that the Department of Home Affairs have no immediate plans to halt the green barcoded identity books (ID books).

The Department of Home Affairs in a statement made it clear that the green barcoded ID books remain a legal form of identification and will remain thusly until such a time that the Live Capture System has been rolled out at all offices of the department to therefore allow South Africans to apply for smart ID cards at their nearest offices.

One of the main reasons why the department is converting the ID system to smart ID cards, is to prevent fraud with ID documents. You can now apply for your new smart ID card, as well as your passport, at selected offices of the Department of Home Affairs or online via the department’s eHomeAffairs portal.

Permanent residency permit holders (foreign citizens who have been living in South Africa on a temporary permit for more than 5 years and now received permanent residence) do not qualify for a new smart ID card. However, they will get the opportunity to apply at a later stage. The same applies to neutralised citizens (not a citizen by birth but received South African citizenship).

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO GET YOUR SMART ID CARD?

Teenagers of 16 years and older who are applying for an identity document for the first time:

• Need birth certificate.
• Need both parents’ ID documents.
• Your first identity card is free.

Pensioners of 60 years and older:

• Need green barcoded ID book.
• Need marriage certificate or divorce order.
• New cards for this age group will also be free of charge.

The above also applies to everyone who does not fall in one of these two groups, but they will have to pay R140. During the application process you may be asked for proof of your residential address. Should you lose your ID document and now apply for a smart ID card, you must have a police statement.

WHERE CAN YOU APPLY FOR A SMART ID CARD?

You can apply online on the department’s eHomeAffairs portal, where it is possible to fill in your form and submit the supporting documents online.

To apply for your smart ID card at a bank, you must be a client of that particular bank.

The following commercial banks offer this service at selected branches: ABSA, FNB, Nedbank and Standard Bank. The Department of Home Affairs is currently in discussions with participating banks to increase their capacity through additional bank branches.

HOW TO APPLY ONLINE:

REGISTRATION – STEP 1: Create an account.

REGISTRATION – STEP 2: Create a password and provide an answer to a security question should you ever forget your password.

REGISTRATION – STEP 3: Verify your cell phone number and email address.

APPLICATION – STEP 1: Sign in.

APPLICATION – STEP 2: Create a new application.

APPLICATION – STEP 3: Compilation of the application.

The Home Affairs application form looks and works a lot like the South African Revenue Service (SARS) eFiling form.

APPLICATION – STEP 4: Complete the application form.

APPLICATION – STEP 5: Upload supporting documents as indicated.

APPLICATION – STEP 6: Make the payment.

APPLICATION – STEP 7: Make an appointment.

An appointment is not necessary should you be visiting one of the Department of Home Affairs’ offices. You just have to visit them within 60 days from your online application date. An appointment is indeed needed when you apply through a bank.

APPLICATION – STEP 8: Choose the branch of the bank of your choice that you want to visit.

APPLICATION – STEP 9: Choose a time slot for your appointment.

APPLICATION – STEP 10: Confirm your appointment and print the confirmation.

What do you need after you have made an appointment?

• A copy of your appointment confirmation.
• Your green ID book.
• Your fingerprints will be taken and fed into the biometric system.
• A photo will be taken at the bank – it is therefore not necessary to have ID photos taken in advance.

Persons who experience problems with the online system are requested to phone the department’s helpline at 0800 601 190.