Capitec, South Africa’s largest bank by customer base, is preparing to launch its first branch dedicated to processing Smart ID applications, marking a significant expansion of the Department of Home Affairs’ (DHA) efforts to broaden access to national identity documents.
The initial branch, the first of what Capitec anticipates will be hundreds, is slated to open soon, with plans to activate 100 branches by mid-2026 and an additional 200 by the end of the year. This rollout aligns with the DHA’s broader strategy to integrate Smart ID and passport services into major banking networks, ultimately aiming for accessibility across its more than 860 branches nationwide.
The DHA’s initiative, spurred by a major digital transformation, seeks to make most Home Affairs services available through digital channels, including integration into banking apps. The in-branch service at banks like Capitec represents a crucial first step in achieving widespread access. The department has set a near-term goal of extending services to 100 branches by the end of March 2026, and a longer-term target of 1,000 branches by the end of fiscal year 2028.
Capitec’s decision to participate in the program represents a shift from its previous stance. The bank had previously refrained from joining the initial Smart ID banking pilot launched in 2015, citing concerns that the system was not fully integrated and would have created operational challenges by dividing branch consultants’ attention between banking and DHA customers. The DHA’s new, digitally-focused approach, with its integration into banking systems, addresses these earlier concerns.
The Smart ID process at Capitec branches will follow a streamlined procedure: clients will have their photos taken at dedicated Smart ID terminals if the DHA does not have a suitable image on file. Identity verification will occur through biometric scanning and real-time database checks against the DHA’s records. Approved Smart IDs will then be available for collection at the same branch within weeks, with future plans to add functionality through the Capitec App and offer home delivery options.
Other major South African banks are as well moving forward with the DHA’s initiative. Standard Bank has announced the upcoming launch of three new branches offering Smart ID and passport services, with current systems undergoing pilot testing.
Capitec’s rollout is specifically targeted at improving access in areas previously underserved by Smart ID facilities, building on the DHA’s goal of expanding access to essential identity documents across the country.
