South Africa to phase out green identity books by 2027

South Africa will officially cease production of its traditional green identity document on March 31, 2027. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced the timeline as part of a digital transformation initiative to transition the nation toward Smart ID cards and digital identity systems.

Schreiber characterized the green ID book as one of the most fraud-prone identity documents on the continent and stated that its replacement is necessary for a modern society. Following the production shutdown, a 12-month transition period will occur, after which green ID books will no longer be recognized, effective March 31, 2028.

The department has committed to ensuring that all eligible individuals, including naturalized citizens, permanent residents, and South Africans living abroad, can obtain Smart ID cards before the 2027 deadline. This follows previous systemic challenges that limited access for these groups. To facilitate the rollout, over 515 bank branches are currently offering biometric Smart ID replacement services, with plans to expand to over 1,000 service points by the end of 2026.