identification collection

On average, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) in South Africa aims to issue a Smart ID card within 2-3 weeks after the application is submitted.1 However, this is an average and processing times can vary significantly due to various factors, including the specific Home Affairs office, the volume of applications, and whether there are any issues with your application.2

If 4 months have passed since you applied for your South African national ID and you haven’t heard anything from the Department of Home Affairs, you should take the following steps:

1. Check Your Application Status
Before you do anything else, you should try to track your application. The DHA provides several ways to do this:

SMS Service: You can send an SMS with the word “ID” followed by your ID number to 32551.3 You will receive an SMS back with the status of your application.4 Note that there is a small fee for this service

eHomeAffairs Website: If you applied online through the eHomeAffairs portal, you can log in to your profile and check the status of your application there.
DHA Call Centre: You can call the DHA’s official call center to inquire about your application status. The number is 0800 60 11 90.5 Be prepared to provide your ID number and any reference numbers you received during your application.

2. Visit the Home Affairs Office
If the online or SMS tracking methods don’t provide a clear answer, or if they indicate that your ID is ready for collection, the next step is to physically visit the Home Affairs office where you applied.

Go in person: This is often the most effective way to resolve a delayed application.
Bring your documents: Take all the documents you used for your application, including your temporary ID (if you received one), your proof of payment, and any receipts or reference numbers.

Speak to a supervisor: If the general counter staff cannot assist you, ask to speak to a supervisor or the office manager. Explain your situation calmly and provide them with all the necessary details.

3. Escalate the Matter
If visiting the office is unsuccessful, or if you continue to face delays, you may need to escalate the matter to a higher authority within the Department of Home Affairs.

Contact a regional or provincial office: You can try to get contact details for the regional or provincial Home Affairs office and send them an email or call them to report your issue.
Contact the DHA’s head office: In more extreme cases, you may need to reach out to the DHA’s head office in Pretoria.
Consider a formal complaint: If all else fails, you can lodge a formal complaint with the Department of Home Affairs or the Public Protector’s office. This should be a last resort.

Important Things to Remember

Temporary ID: If you require an ID for urgent matters (like writing exams or banking), you can apply for a Temporary Identification Certificate at any Home Affairs office.6 This is a temporary document that proves your identity while you wait for your Smart ID card.
Errors in Application: The most common reasons for significant delays are errors in the application, such as mismatched information, unclear photos, or missing documents. The DHA may have tried to contact you but was unsuccessful. It is crucial to ensure all your information is correct before submitting your application.
Online vs. In-person: While the eHomeAffairs system is designed to be more efficient, the processing still involves the same backend systems. Delays can occur regardless of whether you applied online or in person.