Your green ID book expires on 31 March 2028. Here's how to swap it for R140
Green ID books stop being valid on 31 March 2028. A smart ID costs R140, or nothing if you're 60+ or a first-time applicant. Here's what to bring and how to apply.
Your green barcoded ID book stops being a valid identity document on 31 March 2028, and Home Affairs will switch off the machines that print it a year earlier, on 31 March 2027 (The Citizen). About 14.7 million South Africans and permanent residents still hold only the green book (MyBroadband).
Replacing it with a smart ID card costs R140 for most adults. Pensioners aged 60 and older and young people getting their first ID pay nothing (Home Affairs).
Why is Home Affairs scrapping the green ID book?
Fraud. The green book is paper with a glued-in photo, and it's the most frequently counterfeited identity document in Africa, while the smart ID has a microchip and laser-engraved details (MyBroadband).
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber told Parliament that 35 identity theft allegations were investigated in the past financial year, and that 17 officials faced disciplinary action in 2026 for unlawfully processing ID applications (MyBroadband). He also said Home Affairs doesn't compensate people whose identities are stolen, and that victims should report it to SAPS.
What are the key dates?
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Now | Green book still valid, smart ID applications open |
| 31 March 2027 | Green ID books no longer produced |
| 31 March 2028 | Green ID books stop being valid ID |
Sources: The Citizen, MyBroadband
How much does a smart ID cost?
| Who | Fee |
|---|---|
| First-time applicant, 16 or older | Free |
| Pensioner aged 60 or older, first smart ID | Free |
| Everyone else swapping a green book | R140 |
| Replacing a lost smart ID | R140 |
| Temporary ID | R70 |
Sources: Home Affairs, Western Cape Government
What do you need to bring?
For a green book swap, Home Affairs lists (Home Affairs):
- your green ID book, or an affidavit if it's lost
- proof of residence if you have it, or your residential address
- your marriage certificate if you're married, or divorce decree if divorced
Smart ID offices capture your photo digitally, so you don't need photos for a normal smart ID application (Western Cape Government).
How do you apply without standing in a long queue?
- Register on eHomeAffairs and confirm your cellphone number with the OTP.
- Fill in the smart ID application and pay online, then authorise the payment in your banking app.
- Book a slot at a Home Affairs-enabled bank branch, or go to a Home Affairs office (no booking needed there).
- Print your barcoded confirmation letter and take it, plus your green book and original documents, to have your fingerprints and photo taken.
Steps from the eHomeAffairs guide. In August Home Affairs said smart ID services were at 372 bank branches, with a target of 750 by the end of 2026 (The Citizen).
Can permanent residents and South Africans abroad switch?
Yes. Naturalised citizens and permanent residents became eligible for smart IDs in 2025, and Schreiber said Home Affairs will make sure they and citizens living abroad can get one before the green book becomes invalid (The Citizen).
FAQ
When does the green ID book become invalid?
On 31 March 2028. Production of green ID books stops on 31 March 2027.
How much does it cost to swap a green ID book for a smart ID?
R140, unless you're 60 or older or getting your first ID at 16 or older, in which case it's free.
Can I apply for a smart ID online?
You can fill in the form and pay on eHomeAffairs, but you still have to go to a Home Affairs office or enabled bank branch for fingerprints and a photo.
Do I need photos for a smart ID?
No. Smart ID offices capture your photo digitally.