South African citizens can use the Department of Home Affairs’ online services to begin selected Smart ID card and passport applications before visiting a branch for biometrics.
The eHomeAffairs system allows eligible applicants to:
Create an online profile
Complete a Smart ID or passport application
Upload supporting documents when requested
Make an online payment
Book an appointment at an enabled bank branch
Save an unfinished application and return later
An online application does not remove the need for an in-person visit. Applicants must still have their photograph, fingerprints and signature captured or verified at a Home Affairs office or an enabled bank location.
Official eHomeAffairs portal: https://ehome.dha.gov.za/ehomeaffairs
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Home Affairs Online: Apply for an ID or Passport
Aug 5, 2026
Aug 5, 2026
24 min read
Published
Updated:
South African citizens can use the Department of Home Affairs’ online services to begin selected Smart ID card and passport applications before visiting a branch for biometrics.
The eHomeAffairs system allows eligible applicants to:
Create an online profile
Complete a Smart ID or passport application
Upload supporting documents when requested
Make an online payment
Book an appointment at an enabled bank branch
Save an unfinished application and return later
An online application does not remove the need for an in-person visit. Applicants must still have their photograph, fingerprints and signature captured or verified at a Home Affairs office or an enabled bank location.
Official eHomeAffairs portal: https://ehome.dha.gov.za/ehomeaffairs
Quick Answer
Services: Smart ID card and South African passport applications
Application method: Online application followed by an in-person biometric visit
Payment: Supported through eHomeAffairs
Bank appointment: Required when finalising through an eHomeAffairs-enabled bank office
Home Affairs office visit: Biometrics can also be completed at a Home Affairs office
Account username: South African identity number
Security: One-time PINs are sent to the registered cellphone
Home Affairs Contact Centre: 0800 601 190
Support email: hacc@dha.gov.za
Official portal: https://ehome.dha.gov.za/ehomeaffairs
What Can Be Done Through eHomeAffairs?
The official platform allows eligible users to submit online applications for:
A Smart ID card
A South African passport
A passport for a directly related minor, where supported by the application process
Applicants can complete much of the administration online, but they must still visit an authorised service point for biometric capture or verification.
The services available in an individual profile may depend on the applicant’s citizenship status, identity records, age and the type of document requested.
Who Can Use eHomeAffairs?
The official eHomeAffairs landing page describes the service as available to South African citizens by birth for supported Smart ID and passport applications.
Applicants whose details cannot be verified online, including some naturalised citizens or permanent residents, may need to use another Home Affairs process or visit a branch.
Home Affairs also operates a newer Partner Branch service for selected Smart ID reissues. That service has different eligibility and application rules and should not be confused with the traditional eHomeAffairs process.
The Two Bank-Service Routes Explained
1. eHomeAffairs Bank Appointment
Under the traditional eHomeAffairs process, an applicant:
Creates an eHomeAffairs profile.
Completes the ID or passport application.
Uploads documents where requested.
Makes and authorises the payment.
Books an appointment at an enabled bank office.
Visits the bank for biometrics.
A booking is required for biometric capture at an eHomeAffairs-enabled bank office.
2. New Smart ID Partner Branch Service
The newer My Home Affairs Online Partner Branch service allows eligible customers to apply for certain Smart ID services directly through a participating bank’s app, website or branch process.
Under this newer route, customers do not necessarily make the booking or payment through eHomeAffairs. The participating bank manages its own customer journey.
The Partner Branch service currently covers categories including:
Green ID book holders converting to a Smart ID
Existing Smart ID holders applying for a reissue
Selected permanent residents and naturalised citizens from visa-exempt countries during the initial phase
This newer bank service is focused on Smart ID cards and does not automatically replace every eHomeAffairs passport service.
Official Partner Branch finder: https://myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za/partner-branch
What Applicants Need Before Registering
Prepare:
South African identity number
Names and surname exactly as recorded by Home Affairs
Date of birth
Active email address
Active South African cellphone number
Access to the cellphone for one-time PINs
A secure password
Internet-banking access when making an eHomeAffairs payment
Supporting documents relevant to the application
The registration form requires the applicant to enter details as they appear on an identity document, passport or birth certificate.
Incorrect names, dates or identity information can prevent successful registration.
How to Create an eHomeAffairs Profile
Step 1: Open the Official Portal
Go to:
https://ehome.dha.gov.za/ehomeaffairs
Check that the address ends in dha.gov.za.
Step 2: Select Register
Enter the requested personal details, including:
Title
Initials
Full forenames
Surname
ID number
Date of birth
Email address
Cellphone number
Use contact details that will remain active.
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Step 3: Create a Secure Password
The registration system requires a password that meets its security rules.
Applicants must also answer security questions used for account protection and recovery.
Step 4: Verify the Account
Home Affairs sends verification information through email and one-time PINs through SMS.
Complete the verification steps before attempting to submit an application.
How to Apply for a Smart ID or Passport
Step 1: Log In
Use the South African identity number and password registered on eHomeAffairs.
A one-time PIN will be sent to the registered cellphone.
Step 2: Select the Document Service
Choose the available Smart ID card or passport application.
The system may also allow an eligible parent to submit a passport application for a directly related minor.
Step 3: Complete the Application Form
Enter all mandatory information accurately.
Check:
Names
Identity number
Residential information
Marital-status information
Contact details
Current identity or passport information
Minor-child details where applicable
Step 4: Submit the Application
Review the information before selecting the final submission option.
Once submitted, some information may not be easy to change online.
Step 5: Upload Supporting Documents
The system will list any documents required for the specific application.
Upload clear copies in the requested format.
Original documents must still be taken to the Home Affairs or bank appointment.
Step 6: Make the Online Payment
Enter the banking information required to create the payment instruction.
Submitting payment on eHomeAffairs does not complete the transaction by itself.
The applicant must log into internet banking and authorise the Home Affairs payment request.
After authorisation, the bank verifies the transaction. This may take several minutes.
Step 7: Book a Bank Appointment
When eligible bank slots are available, select:
Participating bank branch
Appointment date
Appointment time
Availability depends on the applicant’s location, bank and current appointment capacity.
Step 8: Download the Confirmation Letter
Download and print or save the barcoded confirmation letter.
Take it to the appointment together with the original documents and the current green ID book or Smart ID card where applicable.
Applying at a Home Affairs Office
The eHomeAffairs guide states that applicants can also finalise biometric capture at a Home Affairs office.
The legacy eHomeAffairs guide says an eHomeAffairs bank booking is mandatory for an enabled bank office, while biometric capture at a Home Affairs office does not require an eHomeAffairs bank appointment.
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However, Home Affairs has moved its general Branch Appointment Booking System to the newer My Home Affairs Online portal. Applicants should check whether their selected Home Affairs office requires or accepts an appointment before travelling.
Official branch-booking portal: https://myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za/
Documents for a Smart ID Application
The exact documents depend on the applicant’s age and circumstances.
First Smart ID for a Citizen Aged 16 or Older
Home Affairs guidance lists documents such as:
Birth certificate
Parent, legal guardian or informant’s identity document
Death certificate where the parents are deceased
Proof of residence where available, or the residential address
First identity documents for qualifying young applicants are generally issued without a fee.
Converting a Green ID Book to a Smart ID
Applicants may need:
Green barcoded identity book
An affidavit if the ID book was lost
Proof of residence where available
Marriage certificate where marital status must be verified
Divorce decree where relevant
Replacing or Reissuing a Smart ID
The system or branch may request:
Existing Smart ID card
Affidavit or loss information when the card was lost
Supporting records for changed personal details
Proof of payment
Applicants should rely on the documents listed in their online application.
Documents for a Passport Application
Passport applicants may need:
South African identity document or Smart ID card
Current passport, if available
Birth certificate for a child
Parent or guardian information and consent for a minor
Supporting documents requested by the online system
Police case number or affidavit for a lost or stolen passport
Barcoded eHomeAffairs confirmation letter
Proof of authorised payment
Every child receives an individual passport.
Applicants should apply well before international travel. The official passport application material advises applying at least two months before the planned departure date.
Smart ID and Passport Fees
Fees can change, and the amount displayed in the applicant’s official online application is the amount that must be followed.
Current official Home Affairs material lists examples including:
First ID for qualifying applicants aged 16 and older: Free
First Smart ID conversion for qualifying pensioners aged 60 and older: Free
Smart ID application for other citizens in the published requirements: R140
Standard adult 32-page passport applied for inside South Africa: R600
Child passport applied for inside South Africa: R600
Adult 48-page maxi passport inside South Africa: R1,200
Replacement fees can differ. A lost, stolen or damaged passport may attract double the normal fee when the loss resulted from the holder’s negligence.
Applicants must confirm the final fee shown by eHomeAffairs or Home Affairs before authorising payment.
How eHomeAffairs Payment Works
The payment process has two stages:
The applicant creates a payment instruction through eHomeAffairs.
The applicant logs into internet banking and authorises that instruction.
Typing bank details on eHomeAffairs alone does not mean payment has been completed.
After authorisation:
Wait for payment verification.
Return to eHomeAffairs.
Confirm that the payment status has updated.
Continue to the appointment stage.
Do not make repeated payments because the first one does not reflect immediately.
Participating Banks
Home Affairs services are available only at participating or enabled bank locations.
The exact list can change as branches are added, removed or migrated to the newer Partner Branch model.
Applicants should use the official locator rather than relying on an old social-media list:
https://myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za/partner-branch
Search using:
City
Suburb
Province
Postal code
Participating bank
A person may need to be a customer of the participating bank, depending on the bank’s service rules.
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What Happens at the Appointment?
At the bank or Home Affairs service point, officials will generally:
Verify the application
Check original documents
Capture or verify fingerprints
Capture a photograph
Capture or verify the signature
Confirm identity information
Finalise the biometric part of the application
Take:
Barcoded confirmation letter
Existing ID document or green ID book
Current or previous passport
Original supporting documents
Appointment confirmation
Any additional document requested by Home Affairs
Arrive early and confirm whether the branch has specific access rules.
How to Collect the Document
The collection method depends on the service used.
Under the traditional eHomeAffairs route, the applicant is generally notified when the document is ready and must collect it from the selected service point.
Under the newer bank Partner Branch service, the bank communicates progress through its normal channels. Collection may occur at the selected branch, and delivery may be offered where supported by that bank.
Applicants should:
Keep the registered cellphone active
Monitor SMS and email
Retain application reference details
Take identification when collecting
Follow the bank or Home Affairs collection notice
Do not travel to collect before receiving confirmation.
How Long Does Processing Take?
The official eHomeAffairs landing page does not guarantee one universal processing period for all Smart ID and passport applications.
Processing can depend on:
Identity verification
Biometric quality
Supporting documents
Printing and production
Branch capacity
System availability
Whether records need correction
Whether the document was lost or stolen
Applicants with urgent travel plans should apply early and should not buy non-refundable travel arrangements based solely on an estimated processing time.
Password, OTP or Login Problems
No OTP Received
Check that:
The registered cellphone has signal
The number is correct
The phone can receive SMS messages
The SIM is active
The applicant has not blocked service messages
Wait briefly before requesting another OTP.
Forgotten Password
Use the official password-reset service:
https://ehome.dha.gov.za/eHomeAffairsV3/SGReset
The reset service includes options for applicants whose contact details have or have not changed.
Details Cannot Be Verified
Check that the names, identity number and date of birth match official Home Affairs records.
Contact the Home Affairs Contact Centre if the problem continues.
Appointment Problems
Appointment availability is not guaranteed.
Applicants may experience:
No branch slots
No dates in the selected area
A payment that has not yet been verified
A branch that no longer offers the selected service
Bank-specific customer restrictions
System interruptions
Try:
Checking another enabled branch
Checking again when new dates are released
Confirming that payment is authorised
Using a Home Affairs office where appropriate
Contacting Home Affairs
Checking the newer Partner Branch system for Smart ID services
Never pay someone who claims to sell an appointment slot.
Safety Warning
XTRAfrica verification warning: Never pay an unofficial person to secure a Home Affairs appointment, accelerate a passport or guarantee a Smart ID. Use only official Home Affairs and participating-bank channels.
Do not share:
One-time PINs
eHomeAffairs passwords
Internet-banking passwords
Card PINs
Full identity documents with unknown agents
Payment authorisation codes
Home Affairs does not require applicants to send banking passwords through WhatsApp or email.
Official Contacts
Home Affairs Contact Centre: 0800 601 190
Support email: hacc@dha.gov.za
Home Affairs headquarters: 012 406 2500
eHomeAffairs portal: https://ehome.dha.gov.za/ehomeaffairs
My Home Affairs Online: https://myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za/
Partner Branch locator: https://myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za/partner-branch
Password reset: https://ehome.dha.gov.za/eHomeAffairsV3/SGReset
Official Sources
eHomeAffairs: https://ehome.dha.gov.za/ehomeaffairs
Official eHomeAffairs guide: https://ehome.dha.gov.za/eHomeAffairsV3/Content/HowToGuide.pdf
eHomeAffairs registration: https://ehome.dha.gov.za/eHomeAffairsV3/SGRegister
My Home Affairs Online: https://myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za/
Partner Branch service: https://myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za/partner-branch
Smart ID requirements: https://www.dha.gov.za/files/Brochures/SmartIDrequirements.pdf
Passport application information: https://www.dha.gov.za/images/PDFs/Travel%20Documents/bi-73.pdf
Home Affairs contact page: https://ehome.dha.gov.za/eHomeAffairsV3/Home/Contact
Verification
Official authority: South African Department of Home Affairs
Services: Smart ID and passport applications
Online process: Profile, application, documents, payment and appointment
In-person requirement: Biometric capture or verification remains mandatory
Bank appointment: Required for the traditional eHomeAffairs bank-office route
General branch booking: Now managed through My Home Affairs Online
Date checked: 5 August 2026
Portal status: Active
Verification status: Confirmed
Official eHomeAffairs link: https://ehome.dha.gov.za/ehomeaffairs
XTRAfrica is not affiliated with the Department of Home Affairs or any participating bank. Applicants should confirm current fees, branch availability, appointment rules and required documents on the official platforms before applying.
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