GOOD news for under 17s applying for 2025 South African ID document

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The good news for 2025 South African ID document applicants under the age of 17 is the entire process is free. That’s right, as part of the Department of Home Affairs’ (DHA) drive to streamline efficiencies, it will wavier the R140 fee for a 2025 South African ID document. And there’s very good reason for this …

The youth population in South Africa is growing rapidly. And the sooner you can obtain a first-time 2025 South African ID document, the better. As a verified citizen of the country, you’re entitled to an identification document and, later on, a passport when you’re of age. And one-third of our 63-million population is under the age of 17, making us one of the most youthful nations on the African continent.

2025 SOUTH AFRICAN ID DOCUMENT

South Africa has one of the most youthful populations on the African continent. More than one third is below the age of 17. Image: File

However, an older citizen replacing their ‘green mamba’ ID booklet due to it being lost or stolen will have to pay R140. Moreover, the DHA recently announced it wanted to start phasing out the old ‘green mamba’ ID booklets this year, in favour of smart ID cards only. This is part of the department’s on-going digitisation, and it believes smart ID cards are safer and more difficult to clone by criminals.

So, this means if you are South African born, you’ll no longer have the option of applying for a green mamba ID booklet. Any new 2025 South African ID document applications will be for the smart ID card. Of course, as we’ve reported before, naturalised citizens do not have this same luxury. But there are discussions of Minister Schreiber addressing these concerns in due course.

HOW TO APPLY IN 2025

Below is the list of requirements and eligibility you must adhere to for a 2025 South African ID document application:

Any first-time applicant younger than 16-years of age is not eligible to apply. You must be at least 16-years old.
If you’re foreign born, a government-issue ID/passport from the country of your birth may be used as dentification.
ID or travel documents from the old Transkei, Bophutatswana, Venda or Ciskei homelands will be accepted.
Bring along your original birth certificate for a first-time applicant. Plus, copies.
Any documentation verifying legal guardianship in the event of adoption.
As parents of a first-time applicant, you will need to present your own parental IDs.
In the event of deceased parents, you must supply the death certificates of any and all deceased parents (if applicable).
Bring a proof of address (utility bill with your name and address clearly stated on it).
For naturalised citizenship, produce your valid permanent South African resident certificate.
In the event of a lost/stolen ID document, a sworn and signed police affidavit including a police case number.

ONLINE FIRST, THEN GO IN-PERSON

The application for a 2025 South African ID document is a hybrid one. Go online first to begin your application at the DHA eHome portal. At a later stage you will visit the DHA Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS) to secure a slot for your biometrics (photos and fingerprints):

Visit the DHA eHome.
Select Apply Online for a 2025 South African ID document.
Go to Registration.
Input Personal Information like: Name, ID number, passport number or birth certificate number, date of birth, email address, and cell phone number.
Upload all the necessary documents requested.
Make an EFT Payment online to Home Affairs. You can also Deposit Money into the Home Affairs account if you don’t have access to online banking.
Once you receive payment confirmation, make an appointment on BABS to provide Biometric Data.
Bring two recent ID photographs measuring 35×45 mm with a white background.
Supply your sworn and signed police affidavit and police case number if your ID has been stolen or lost.
Complete a BI-9 form. A DHA official will assist you to complete this form accurately.
You should be able to collect your ID from Home Affairs within 7 working days from the day of the application. �
You can track your application’s status by SMSing the word ‘ID’ followed by your ID number to 32551.

ARE YOU EXCITED TO GET YOUR SA ID DOC AS A TEENAGER?

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