The Department launched the digital banking partnership on March 9 and initially planned to reach 750 branches by the end of the 2026/27 financial year.
More than 1 million South Africans have used the service during the first eight months.
At the start of the current administration, Smart ID applications were available at 214 permanent Home Affairs offices.
Adding participating bank branches has increased the number of service points to 967, representing growth of more than 350% in 246 days.
In a statement on Wednesday, Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber said the expansion was the fastest in the Department’s history. “Today, we have not only achieved that target, but exceeded it with more than four months to spare,” Schreiber said.
Citizens can apply for replacement Smart ID cards at participating Absa, Capitec, First National Bank and Standard Bank branches without bookings or paperwork.
The Department said secure biometric technology allowed applications to be completed in about five minutes. “We can now say with confidence that the days of standing in a long queue just to apply for a replacement Smart ID are fast coming to an end,” Schreiber said.
More banks and additional Home Affairs services are expected to be added to the programme.
The expanded service supports the Department’s plan to phase out the green ID book, which Home Affairs considers more vulnerable to identity theft and fraud than the Smart ID card.
The Department said replacing green ID books would strengthen the security and integrity of SA’s identification system. “For many South Africans, the idea that Home Affairs could transform at this rapid speed would once have seemed impossible,” Schreiber said.
Schreiber said the expansion demonstrated that government could use digital technology and partnerships with the private sector to improve public services.
“Through our commitment to delivering world-class digital public infrastructure, we are including millions of previously excluded citizens in critical Home Affairs services at a scale and pace never seen before,” Schreiber said.
–ChannelAfrica–
