South Africa’s green ID books will officially stop being recognised as a valid form of identification from 31 March 2028, the Department of Home Affairs has announced.
The announcement provides a firm deadline for the phase-out of the familiar green barcoded ID book. When Die Hoorn reported on the planned phase-out in June this year, Home Affairs had not yet announced a date on which the document would cease to be valid.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has now confirmed that production of the green ID book will end on 31 March 2027, when the machines used to produce the documents will be permanently switched off and decommissioned.
Before production ends, Home Affairs plans to enable the remaining naturalised citizens and permanent residents, as well as South African citizens living abroad, to obtain Smart ID cards.
The approximately 14.7 million South African citizens and permanent residents who still only have a green ID book will then have a further 12 months to make the switch. This is down from about 16 million people who still relied on green ID books earlier this year.
From 31 March 2028, green ID books will no longer be recognised as valid identification in terms of the Identification Act.
According to Schreiber, the move is aimed in part at reducing identity theft and fraud. Home Affairs has previously described the paper-based green ID book as particularly vulnerable to manipulation, including the replacement or alteration of photographs.
Access to Smart ID services has also expanded significantly. According to the department, 515 bank branches currently offer digital Smart ID replacement services, with more than 822 500 people having already used the service. Home Affairs aims to make the service available at more than 1 000 service points by the end of 2026.
Schreiber said applicants using the digital replacement service at participating bank branches do not require a prior booking or paperwork, with some applications taking as little as five minutes.
First-time Smart ID applicants and applicants over the age of 60 will remain exempt from paying the application fee.
South Africans who still rely solely on a green ID book are encouraged to apply for a Smart ID card well before the March 2028 deadline.
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Green ID books on their way out
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