Capitec x Home Affairs: Smart IDs, Passports, and how bookings work

South Africans will soon be able to sort Smart IDs and passports at selected Capitec branches, using the same Department of Home Affairs (DHA) system that already runs inside other banks. It starts with a limited rollout, then scales up through 2026. The win is obvious: fewer queues, predictable bookings, and biometrics done at a bank you already visit. For the admin-averse, it pairs neatly with a banking app habit (the kind that keeps life organised between paydays).

If transfers and top-ups are part of your weekly routine, you already live on your phone. This move slots in next to payments and profile updates, and it will save more time than shaving cents off bank fees ever will. The department’s plan is to expand access from a small set of bank locations to hundreds of branches nationally, with Capitec committing to a phased roll-out.

What exactly is Capitec offering?

• Smart ID and passport applications at select branches. Capitec begins with around ten sites, adds more through early 2026, and targets triple-digit coverage later. The service uses DHA systems; it is not limited to Capitec clients.
• Same eHomeAffairs flow, different venue. You still create the application online, pay, and then book a slot at an enabled branch for biometrics and collection.

Booking slots fill up quickly. During earlier phases, people found that midnight refreshes were often the only way to snag a time. Expect high demand at first while new branches come online, then a steady release of extra capacity as the partnership scales.

Where can you go?

• Right now: South Africa has roughly 30 bank branches countrywide that offer Smart IDs and passports under the older pilot. Capitec is joining the expanded model, with its first sites opening in phases from October and further growth planned into 2026.
• How to check: eHomeAffairs only presents bookable branches with available slots in your area. If you do not see a Capitec option yet, it means your city’s branch has not opened for bookings.

Who qualifies?

• Any South African citizen can apply at an enabled bank branch. You do not need to be a client of that bank when booking at Capitec, according to the department’s announcement.
• First-time Smart ID applicants aged 16 and pensioners over 60 can still get the card at no charge. Others pay the standard card fee when doing a reissue.

Fees, timing and practical tips

• Fees: Budget for DHA’s official tariffs. Passport prices inside South Africa are R600 for a standard 32-page passport and R1,200 for a 48-page maxi; replacement of lost or stolen passports costs more.
• Timing: Collection times vary. eHomeAffairs will send notifications when your document is ready at the branch you selected.
• Documents: Bring your current ID or passport, proof of address where applicable, and any supporting documents for changes to your details.
• Peak periods: Expect pressure around school holidays and year-end travel. If you need a passport soon, do not wait for the final week of November.

Treat this like booking a flight. Do the online paperwork, pay, choose a slot, and arrive with the right documents. The bank provides the chair and the scanner; Home Affairs provides the decision and the printer.

Why this matters

Bank-based DHA services have been tested for years and are now scaling from a handful of sites to hundreds, with the goal of reaching far more people by 2026 and beyond. Capitec’s entry brings reach, given its branch footprint and customer base, but the benefit extends to anyone who books a slot. That combination of digital application plus in-person biometrics is the part that finally matches everyday admin to how South Africans manage everything else on their phones.