Pensioners can get a free Smart ID from Home Affairs but banks may still charge a fee

South Africans aged 60 and older who are applying for a Smart ID for the first time do not have to pay the Home Affairs fee but using a participating bank branch can still mean an out-of-pocket cost.

Who is exempt from the Home Affairs charge

The Department of Home Affairs’ fee structure provides a fee exemption for first-time Smart ID applicants aged 60 and above. The department’s guidance lists a R140 charge for other applicants.

Why some pensioners still pay at banks

Home Affairs has moved Smart ID services into participating bank branches. The department said in August that 372 bank branches were offering the service. Banks may add their own service or convenience fee on top of the Home Affairs charge.

For example, Capitec lists a total cost of R150 for its Smart ID service, made up of the R140 Home Affairs fee plus a R10 Capitec service fee. That illustrates the distinction: the Home Affairs fee can be waived for qualifying pensioners, but a separate bank service fee is not automatically waived.

What pensioners should check before applying

Pensioners using bank-based Smart ID services should confirm whether the bank’s own service charge applies to them, since the Home Affairs exemption does not guarantee a waiver of a bank’s fee.

Timeline and practical arrangements

Home Affairs is preparing to phase out the old green barcoded ID book. The department’s Deputy Director-General for Operations, Thulani Mavuso, has said green ID books will no longer be functional within the next two years, and the department has not announced an exact final date.

Home Affairs has acknowledged difficulties older people can face when accessing its services and says elderly people are prioritised during the collection process.

Published Sep 25, 2026