Home Affairs partners with Capitec, FNB to expand passport and Smart ID services

The Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber on Tuesday announced Capitec Bank and First National Bank (FNB) as the first banks that have elected to sign up to the Department’s new digital partnership model that will expand access to Smart ID and Passport services.

This is from the existing 30 to hundreds more bank branches in both urban and rural areas across South Africa, as well as to digital banking applications.

Schreiber said a third bank would be announced soon that joined the partnership.

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) said it marks the beginning of the end for long travelling distances to reach Home Affairs services, for long queues, as well as for the Green ID book with its unacceptable vulnerability to fraud and identity theft, and the next step in the new digital-first era of public service delivery that the Government of National Unity is building.

Schreiber said it would free up the department for other work.

Cabinet had set DHA the target of rolling out this service to 1 000 bank branches by  2029.

Starting October 2025, Capitec in partnership with DHA enables millions of clients to apply for Smart IDs and passports at selected Capitec branches.

Capitec said it was taking a phased approach to this rollout and would start by rolling out the service at 10 branches and then expand to 100 branches by early 2026.

Capitec said this partnership seeks to build a future where getting vital documents is even more seamless and secure. Using its robust security infrastructure and digital technology, it supports the modernisation of DHA's processes and lay the foundation for a more efficient future.

Capitec CEO Graham Lee said, “This partnership is the first proof point of our commitment to work closely with Government, and the public sector to solve real problems, remove friction for South Africans and help our country grow. By combining our technology, branch network, and client-first approach with the Department of Home Affairs’ mandate, we are making essential services faster, simpler, and more accessible for millions from suburbs to rural areas.”  

Capitec said how it works:

1. Photo capture: If DHA does not have a suitable ID photo on file, clients can visit a special Smart ID terminal in select Capitec branches.
2. Biometric verification: Clients enter their ID number, have their photo taken, and the system verifies their identity against the DHA database in real time.
3. Collection: The Smart ID will be ready for collection at the same branch within weeks.
4. Future expansion: For even greater convenience, functionality through the Capitec app and home delivery will be introduced later. Additionally, passport renewal will be added soon

Meanwhile, FNB said it has expanded its collaboration with the DHA enabling the reissuance of Smart IDs and passports via the FNB Banking App and branch network, in addition to the existing services for first-time applications. This initiative supports the DHA’s efforts to improve service delivery and accessibility nationwide.

Since the partnership began in 2015, FNB has issued over 570 000 Smart IDs and passports through its seven participating branches. This includes 312 000 Smart IDs and 258 000 passports, reflecting the success and scale of the collaboration.

Harry Kellan, CEO of FNB, said, “FNB recognises how critical Smart IDs and passports are to all South Africans, whether for applying for basic services, opening bank accounts, seeking employment, or travelling. We continue to innovate to meet our customers’ needs and are proud to extend our decade-long partnership with the DHA while supporting government’s digital and modernisation agenda. With the DHA’s newer technology, reaching millions of South Africans through FNB’s systems and infrastructure will be a reality. That is what real help is all about, continuing to support everyday South Africans.”

FNB said over the upcoming months, customers will be able to apply for reissuance via the FNB Banking App or the existing DHA’s online booking system. On the Banking App, customers can apply for their Smart ID or Passport to be reissued and delivered to their address or collected at one of our branches. Should a customer require assistance, they will continue to visit one of its designated branches, as they currently do, for photographs and fingerprints and can collect from the same branch. FNB will enable status tracking for the customer to view where in the process their Smart ID or Passport is once the application is completed.

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