We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. By continuing to browse, you agree to our use of cookies
2 April 2022
Did you know that new research shows that we spend an entire year of our lives waiting for things? We've all had that hassle of queueing somewhere where we know it's going to take all day.
South Africans will know this if they've ever been to the Department of Home Affairs to apply for their new Smart ID card. Unfortunately, in some parts of South Africa, you can queue for the whole day and still not get in. So you have to come back the following day and try again.
Thankfully, Nedbank is making getting your Smart ID card more straightforward. We're here to help and make things easier. So keep reading to learn more about how you can apply hassle-free online and collect your Smart ID card at your local Nedbank branch.
The smart identification card (more commonly referred to as a Smart ID card) is a personal identity document that proves one's identity in South Africa. The new Smart ID cards, which began being issued in July 2013, supersedes the old barcoded identity book.
Identity documents such as this are issued to South African citizens or permanent residence holders who are sixteen years or older.
These identity documents record information that includes, among other information, your full name, your date of birth, your place of birth, a photograph of yourself, and your unique identity number.
Complete information captured on the Smart ID card:
These cards also have the ability to store extra information such as evidence of votes cast in elections, both local and national.
There are two ways to apply for a Smart ID and passport: via Home Affairs or online. Queuing for Home Affairs can begin as early as 6 am, and according to some comment sections, some branches are experiencing queues starting as early as 2 am. So, let's chat about where to get your Smart ID card .
To apply at Home Affairs DHA, it's best to have your documents ready to go so you can complete the application form. You will need the below list of documents if you're visiting a Home Affairs office, categorised by your citizen status.
If you are a:
Applying online is the recommended and more hassle-free method. To begin, you can visit the e-Home Affairs website and register. Once registered, you will be able to:
You will need a cell phone to receive your OTP (one-time pin) to complete the registration of your profile, and you will also receive an SMS to your cell phone number later when your South African Smart ID card is ready for collection.
Pro Tip: you can also simultaneously use the same application for your passport. You'll just have to make the extra payment when you're making payment for your Smart ID card.
Once you've completed your payment via your Nedbank online banking profile and booked your appointment at your nearest participating Nedbank branch, it's time to capture your biometrics.
ID applicants such as yourself can visit your appointed Nedbank branch on the date of your appointment. Be sure to bring your booking confirmation and green barcoded identity book with you.
At your appointment, your fingerprints will be scanned as well as a photo capture for your identity photo.
The Dept. of Home Affairs will notify you via SMS when your new Smart ID or passport is ready for collection. You will collect your new card at the same branch that captured your biometrics.
If you are a customer of Nedbank, you can schedule an appointment for your photo capture and biometrics scanning at your nearest participating Nedbank branches.
This is a list of the current participating branches available:
Find your nearest participating branch and book your appointment to avoid the queues at Home Affairs.
There are some recurring questions that people are asking, so we've compiled a list of the most common questions that we've answered for your benefit.
You will have to report it to the police as lost, and then you will have to use the Home Affairs service to reapply for a new card to be reissued. This cost will be for your account and is currently R140. The cost of a temporary ID, should you need one while you wait for your replacement card, costs R70.
You can still apply for a Smart ID; however, the process will be a little different for you. It would be best to contact someone from Home Affairs for further information.
No, unlike your passport or driver's licence, you will not be required to renew your card. But, naturally, this changes if you lose or damage your card.
No, there is no need since either Home Affairs or your local participating bank will capture your image on-site at the time of your appointment.
If this is the situation for you, you will be issued a pin code instead.
The department selected the material of the card and the technology used to ensure the card will last for at least ten years.
So that's it. Those are some of the more common questions that people ask, and we hope we've answered some of your questions for you with this quick FAQ.
Get Savvy and Get Your Smart ID
Upgrading to the more secure Smart ID card shouldn't be a hassle and shouldn't take hours off your day waiting in long, insufferable queues at the Department of Home Affairs. That's where we at Nedbank are making it easier for you so you can make things happen.
If you're already a customer of Nedbank, you can book your appointment at your nearest Nedbank branch or apply today for a Nedbank account.
This information is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Nedbank distinguished itself as the only banking CA Training Programme (CATP) to feature on the honours roll with not one, but two trainees!
#MeToo and #AmINext are just some of the hashtags that took the internet by storm after a young woman was not only brutally raped, but murdered, all while running an everyday errand of going to the Post Office.
When it’s your first time buying property and applying for a home loan, you are bound to be anxious and worried about the process.