Last checked: 26 Oct 2026

South African Smart ID in the USA

First ID (16 and older): VFS takes first ID applications for children aged 15 turning 16 in the year and for anyone 16 or older who never applied for a first ID. Fee $60 (consular $0 + VFS $60) [source, source].

Re-issue: VFS publishes a "Re-Issue ID Card" checklist and a Smart ID re-issue fee of $72 ($12 + $60) [source]. Required: BI-529, DHA-9 at the appointment, certified unabridged birth certificate (and name change approval if relevant), certified unabridged marriage certificate for female applicants, and four photos [source].

Conflicts between official sources (as of 26 Oct 2026)

Processing time. VFS Global says six to eight weeks [source]. The Embassy says a minimum of 6 to 8 months for applications lodged with it [source, source].
Smart identity card re-issue at VFS Global. VFS Global lists "Smart ID - Reissue" at $12 consular plus a $60 service fee, and it publishes a re-issue checklist [source]. The Department of Home Affairs says the centres initially offer passport applications and renewals, and birth certificate applications [source]. The New York and Los Angeles consulate notices list a first identity document. They do not list a Smart identity card re-issue [source, source]. Check the VFS Global booking categories before you book.
Washington, DC centre. The Department of Home Affairs lists a centre in Washington, DC [source]. The New York consulate says VFS Global services launched in New York and Washington, DC [source]. The Embassy page lists only Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York [source].
Applying at the Embassy. The Embassy page says "No appointment required" for applications Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The same page says no mailed-in passport, identity document or birth registration applications will be processed, and it points those applications to VFS Global [source].
How far ahead to apply. VFS Global says book at least 18 months before your passport expires [source]. The Embassy says 12 months [source].

The Embassy re-issue checklist lists DHA-9, BI-529, copy of passport, marriage certificate if changing surname, 2 photos and a $12 money order, with a minimum 6 to 8 months processing [source]. It also says no mailed-in applications will be processed from 1 March 2026.

Planning a visit to South Africa? On 26 October 2026 the Department of Home Affairs said a replacement Smart identity card is available at 669 bank branches in South Africa, and that you can apply there without a prior booking. The same statement says production of the green identity book stops on 31 March 2027, and recognition of that book as a valid identity document ends by 31 March 2028. It also says passport applications, a first Smart identity card, and home delivery will be added at those branches. It does not give a start date for those extra services. VFS Global in the United States still lists a green identity book as a document you can bring [source, source]. See the separate SA Smart ID bank branch finder.