Home Affairs sets out timeline to end the green ID book as digital ID takes shape
The country's long-running transition away from the green barcoded identity document has entered a decisive phase, with Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announcing that the department will stop producing the green ID book by 31 March 2027.
Schreiber announced the launch of the Home Affairs Quantum Leap programme on Thursday, which sets out the department's plans to modernise identity, immigration and service delivery.
The minister said about 14.7 million South Africans still rely solely on the green ID book.
Under the new timeline, the department will stop producing the document in March 2027, while existing green ID books will remain valid for another year. Schreiber said the document will become invalid on 31 March 2028, giving holders a 12-month period to transition to the biometric Smart ID card.
The department explained that first-time applicants and people over 60 would be exempt from the replacement fee.
Schreiber said the move was necessary as Home Affairs shifts away from paper-based identity management towards digital systems.
"The continued use of the green ID book is irreconcilable with the functioning of a modern society. Therefore, I am today announcing that the Department of Home Affairs will cease production of the green ID book by the 31st of March 2027."
But the end of the green ID book is only one part of the department's identity transformation.
At the launch, Schreiber demonstrated what he described as a working South African Digital ID prototype. The system is intended to allow people to verify their identities remotely using their mobile devices and biometric information.
The proposed system also places emphasis on consent. Users would be able to control whether specific personal information is shared when their identity is being verified.
"Digital ID is a remote verification tool. It is a secure tool linked to your biometrics that enables you to confirm who you are without anyone having the ability to interfere with that," Schreiber said.
The department has previously said the Digital ID will be optional and that the physical Smart ID card will continue to be available. Draft Digital Identity regulations published earlier this year also proposed safeguards around verification and the sharing of personal information.
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