| Document Name: | South African Identity Card |
| Purpose: | Proof of identity |
| Document Type: | Identity card |
| Eligibility: | South African citizenship and birth within South Africa |
The South African smart identity card – known as a Smart ID Card – replaces the old green bar-coded identity book.[1] Both are identity documents that serve as proof of a person's identity. This proof includes a person's photograph, their full name, their date of birth, their place of birth, and their unique identity number. The identity card securely stores the biometrics (face and fingerprint) information of the individual.[2] The card also has space to securely store additional info, such as evidence of votes cast in local and national elections, as a means to prevent voter fraud.
Identity documents are issued to South African citizens or permanent residence permit holders who are 16 years or older. People, including spouses and children, who are working for the South African government or one of its statutory bodies outside of South Africa also qualify to receive a South African identity document.
The smart ID card was introduced in 2013. All South African citizens in South Africa can apply for the smart ID card. For identity document-purposes, the old green ID book will be phased out.[3]
Identity documents are issued by South Africa's National Department of Home Affairs.[4]
Despite South Africa having twelve official languages, the identity card is printed in English only.
Applications for a Smart ID cost .
Only South African citizens born in South Africa may apply for the Smart ID card. They can apply for a smart ID card in two ways: they can either apply at their local home affairs,[5] or they can apply online[6] at the Home Affairs e-Channel website. The website provides a step-by-step guide on how to apply.[7]
People in South Africa who need help with applying for their smart ID card can call the Department of Home Affairs contact centre on +27 800 601 190.[8]
There are two types of Smart ID Card; card Type A for regular length names and card Type B for longer length names. Both contain the following information:
Each South African ID number is a 13 digit number defined as YYMMDD SSSS CAZ, which deciphers as follows:
| Field | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| YYMMDD | Date of birth | |
| SSSS | Sequential number: 0000–4999 for females and 5000–9999 for males. | |
| C | Status: 0 = South African citizen, 1 = non-SA-born permanent resident. | |
| A | 8 or 9 | |
| Z | Check digit used to validate the ID Number, which is calculated using the Luhn algorithm. |
The back of the card contains two barcodes:
The one-dimensional Code 39 barcode contains:
The two-dimensional PDF417 barcode contains: