South African Citizens
If you are a South African citizen and are 16 years and older, you may apply for ID smart card. The Department of Home Affairs started replacing the green bar-coded identity documents (IDs) with smart ID cards on 18 July 2013 for South African citizens. The new ID cards have better security features and will be extremely difficult to forge. You will need an ID to register for your matric exams, get a driving licence/open a bank account/purchase a car/purchase a home.
Naturalised Citizen
Permanent Residence holder for a period of five (10) years who have acquired citizenship.
Permanent Residence Holder
In terms of Section 26 (Direct Residency Permits) and Section 27 (Residency-on-Other-Grounds Permits) of the Immigration Act 2002 (Act No 13 of 2002) and read with Regulation 33 of the Immigration Regulations. First time applications must submit the following documentation to their nearest Department of Home Affairs office or South African mission or consulate abroad.
Correcting mistakes in the ID document
If you get your ID and there are mistakes in the personal information contained within, the Department of Home Affairs will replace your ID free of charge. To apply for correction of information in your ID, simply submit the application to any office of the Department of Home Affairs.
Re-issuing an ID document
This applies:
- If you are married and want to assume the surname of your spouse;
- If you are a woman and want to apply for a new ID in the name of any of your previous surnames, then documentary proof showing you are entitled to use that surname must be provided; and
- If your ID document has been lost, stolen or damaged.
Temporary ID document
In the event you lose, damage or have your ID book stolen, you may request a Temporary Identification Certificate (TIC), if your application for an ID will not be completed in. This can be done at any office of the Department of Home Affairs and is subject to the verification of your fingerprints.
