Lost or Stolen ID in South Africa: What to Do First, the R140 Replacement and a Temporary ID
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What to Do First
Act quickly, because someone who finds or steals your ID can try to use your name.
- Make a sworn affidavit that says your ID was lost or stolen, when and where. Home Affairs asks for this affidavit (or a copy of the old card) when you replace a Smart ID, and an affidavit when you replace a green ID book. You can have it signed in front of a commissioner of oaths at a police station.
- If the ID was stolen, or you think someone is using it, open a case with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and keep the case number. Home Affairs says identity fraud cases must be reported to SAPS for investigation.
- Tell your bank, so it can watch your accounts for strange activity.
- Think about Protective Registration with the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS), a not-for-profit organisation that works against fraud and identity theft. You can register on safps.org.za or call 011 867 2234.
- Apply for the replacement ID (below).
Do not sign the affidavit before you are in front of the commissioner of oaths. It only counts once it is signed and stamped there.
How Much a Replacement ID Costs
These are the identity document fees on the Home Affairs fees page (updated August 2026).
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| First ID (first issue) | Free |
| Re-issue of an ID (lost, stolen or damaged) | R140 |
| Temporary Identification Certificate | R70 |
| People aged 60 and older switching from a green ID book to a Smart ID | Free |
The R140 is the same whether the ID was lost or stolen. Banks that offer Smart ID services may have their own rules, so ask the branch before you go.
What to Take With You
- Your sworn affidavit (or a copy of the lost Smart ID card, if you have one).
- The fee of R140.
- A marriage certificate if you got married since your last ID, or a divorce decree if you are divorced.
- Your cellphone number. Home Affairs sends updates about your application to the number you give.
At a Smart ID office, your photo and fingerprints are taken on the spot, so you do not need ID photos for the card. A Form BI-9 is only needed if your fingerprints were never captured before.
Where to Apply
Smart ID cards can only be applied for at modernised offices: Home Affairs offices with the live capture system, mall offices, mobile offices and participating bank branches.
| Where | How |
|---|---|
| Home Affairs office (Smart ID office) | Book a slot first to avoid a long wait |
| Bank branch (Absa, Capitec, FNB, Standard Bank) | Apply and book online on the eHomeAffairs portal (ehome.dha.gov.za), then go to the branch you chose |
You can read how to book at Home Affairs in our Home Affairs online booking guide.
Step by Step: Replace Your Lost ID
- Get the affidavit (and a SAPS case number if it was stolen).
- Book a slot at a Home Affairs Smart ID office, or apply on eHomeAffairs for a bank branch.
- Go on the day with your affidavit, the R140 and any marriage or divorce papers.
- Home Affairs takes your fingerprints and your photo.
- Choose the office where you will collect the card before the application is closed, and check that it is right.
- Wait for the SMS that says your card is ready, then collect it at the office you chose.
A green ID book can only be collected at the office where you applied. A Smart ID card is collected at the modernised office you picked when you applied.
Need ID Now? The Temporary Identification Certificate
A Temporary Identification Certificate (TIC) is a paper ID from Home Affairs that you can use while you wait for the new card.
| Detail | What Home Affairs says |
|---|---|
| Cost | R70 |
| How fast | Issued on the spot, the same day |
| Valid for | Two months (60 days) |
| Where | Any Home Affairs office, after your fingerprints are checked |
| Photos | Two identical colour ID photos |
| Can you vote with it? | Yes, it is a valid ID document |
If You Lost a Green ID Book
If the ID you lost was a green ID book, this is a good time to switch to a Smart ID card. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced on 1 October 2026 that green ID books will stop being made on 31 March 2027 and will no longer be valid ID from 31 March 2028. Read more in our green ID book end date guide.
Flying or Driving Without Your ID
To board a local flight you need ID. A 2025 notice to airlines under the Civil Aviation Act (Government Gazette 53426) says that a valid driving licence card is one of the accepted identity documents for boarding a flight. If you only have a Temporary Identification Certificate, ask your airline before you travel whether it accepts it.
Lost your driving licence card too? See how to replace a lost or stolen driving licence card.
Lost ID Questions
How much does Home Affairs charge for a lost ID?
In November 2026, Home Affairs charges R140 to re-issue an ID, whether it was lost, stolen or damaged. Your first ID is free.
What do I need to replace a lost ID?
A sworn affidavit about the loss (or a copy of the lost Smart ID card), the R140 fee and, if your status changed, your marriage certificate or divorce decree. Home Affairs takes your fingerprints and photo at the office.
Can I replace a lost ID at a bank?
Yes. Absa, Capitec, FNB and Standard Bank branches that offer Smart ID services take applications. You apply and book on the eHomeAffairs portal first, then go to the branch.
Can I get a temporary ID while I wait?
Yes. A Temporary Identification Certificate costs R70, is issued on the same day at a Home Affairs office and is valid for two months.
What if someone uses my lost ID for fraud?
Report it to SAPS and keep the case number, tell your bank, and consider Protective Registration with SAFPS. Home Affairs says a person only gets a new ID number in a duplicate ID case, so the fraud case has to go through the police.
More: Smart ID card guide and birth certificate applications