Home Affairs Online Booking (BABS): How to Book for a Smart ID or Passport

Home Affairs online booking: book on dha.gov.za through BABS, for smart ID cards and passports only, reminder 3 days before, contact centre 0800 60 11 90

Quick answer: Home Affairs lets you book an appointment online for a smart ID card or passport through its Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS). Go to dha.gov.za, click BABS, enter your South African ID number and choose an office, date and time. People with a booking are served first at dedicated counters. You get an SMS or email reminder 3 days before your appointment.

What Can You Book on BABS?

Service	Can you book?
Smart ID card application	Yes
Passport application	Yes
Death certificate, full birth certificate and other services	No, these are done as walk-ins

You need a valid South African ID number to make a booking.

How to Book a Home Affairs Appointment

Go to the Home Affairs website, dha.gov.za.
Click on BABS (Branch Appointment Booking System).
Enter your South African ID number and contact details.
Choose the service: smart ID or passport.
Choose your Home Affairs office, then a date and time slot.
Confirm the booking. Save the confirmation.
Arrive on time on the day with your documents.

You get an SMS or email reminder 3 days before your appointment.

If you are applying online first, see our guide to eHomeAffairs. For the documents you need, see smart ID card applications and South African passports.

Cancel or Change Your Booking

You can cancel or reschedule after you receive your booking confirmation.
The system shows open slots so you can choose a new date.
Bookings cannot be given to a friend or family member. Each booking is linked to the ID number used.

Which Offices Use BABS?

Home Affairs lists BABS offices in all nine provinces, including large offices such as Johannesburg (Harrison Street), Pretoria (Byron Place), Soweto, Maponya Mall, Durban (Commercial Road), Cape Town (Barrack Street), Bellville, Gqeberha, East London, Bloemfontein, Polokwane, Mbombela, Kimberley and Rustenburg. Check the current list on dha.gov.za before you book, because offices are added from time to time.

No Booking? You Can Still Walk In

Walk-in clients are still served. A booking guarantees your slot on the day, as long as the system is working. If you do not have internet access, staff at the office can help you book for another day.

Avoid Booking Scams

Booking on BABS is free.
Never pay anyone in the queue or online to “sell” you a booking slot. Bookings are checked against your ID number, so bought slots do not work.
Report people selling places in the queue to the office manager.

Home Affairs Contact

Home Affairs Contact Centre: 0800 60 11 90.

Home Affairs Booking Questions

How do I book a Home Affairs appointment online?

Go to dha.gov.za, click BABS, enter your ID number and choose your office, date and time.

Can I book for a birth certificate on BABS?

No. BABS bookings are for smart ID cards and passports only.

Can I walk in without a booking?

Yes. Walk-ins are still served, but people with bookings are helped first.

Can I cancel my Home Affairs booking?

Yes. You can cancel or reschedule after you receive your confirmation.

Is the Home Affairs booking system free?

Yes. Never pay anyone for a booking.