Home Affairs rolls out online Smart ID bank locator

South Africans looking to apply for a Smart ID card can now quickly find their nearest participating bank branch after the Department of Home Affairs launched a new online branch locator. The service, available through the department’s website, allows users to search for participating bank branches offering Smart ID services as government continues expanding access through its digital partnership with the banking sector. The service can be found under the headlineApply for your Smart ID card through a Partner Branch.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber launched the platform on Monday during the department’s digital partnership event with FNB at Canal Walk in Cape Town. According to the department, South Africans can now access Smart ID services through 372 participating bank branches nationwide. Since the banking partnership was launched on March 9 this year, more than 500 000 people have applied for Smart ID cards through participating banks.

“This new online service makes it easier than ever for South Africans to find their nearest participating bank branch and switch to the secure Smart ID Card,” Schreiber said. Every reform we implement should make our services easier to access, and this is another practical step towards achieving that goal. The department said new participating bank branches would automatically be added to the website in real time as the partnership expands. Applying for a Smart ID card through a participating bank involves four steps: