End date for green ID books in South Africa announced
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has announced that green ID books will no longer be considered a valid identity document from 31 March 2028.
Schreiber said the country will also stop producing the documents from 31 March 2027, in favour of the newer smart ID cards.
“The continued use of the green ID book is irreconcilable with the functioning of a modern society,” he said.
The Department of Home Affairs has worked to replace the historic green ID books with smart cards due to security and fraud concerns.
One thing that previously held the department back from this goal was that it was often difficult for naturalised citizens to obtain a new smart ID.
Schreiber provided assurance that his department would enable naturalised citizens to obtain the new form of ID before the deadline for its invalidation.
“Prior to 31 March 2027, the department will enable the remaining cohort of naturalised citizens and permanent residents, as well as South African citizens abroad, to also obtain smart ID cards,” he said.
He said the machines used to produce the green book would be shut down in March 2027 and permanently decommissioned.
Schreiber said there are currently approximately 14.7 million South Africans who only have a green ID book.
These citizens will have 12 months from when the system is shut down next year to obtain a new smart ID card.
First-time applicants and anyone over 60 will be exempt from the fees for obtaining an ID card, as has been the policy previously.
Deputy Director-General for operations at the Department of Home Affairs, Tulani Mavuso, previously spoke about the phasing out of South Africa’s green ID books.
He emphasised at the time that holders of green ID books should switch to the country’s newest form of ID as soon as possible.
“It will be difficult to do it when a green ID book is no longer regarded as a legal document that can be submitted for identity verification,” he told Newzroom Afrika.
He also emphasised the importance of having a smart ID card during the interview for several everyday functions.
“It’s going to be the only legal document that you can use in terms of transactions, particularly with financial institutions and others,” he said.
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