South Africa will stop printing green ID books in just a few months

The end of South Africa’s historic green ID book is getting closer, with the Department of Home Affairs set to stop producing the documents in just a few months.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has confirmed that the department will stop producing green ID books for South Africans.

The move forms part of the government’s long-running plan to replace the old books with the newer Smart ID card. But while production will stop next year, green ID books will not immediately become invalid.

When will South Africa stop printing green ID books?

Home Affairs will shut down the machines used to produce the green books on 31 March 2027.

Schreiber said the machines will then be permanently decommissioned. This means March 2027 marks the end of the production of South Africa’s historic green ID book.

However, existing green ID books will remain valid for another year.

The department has set 31 March 2028 as the date when green ID books will no longer be considered valid identity documents.

This gives current green ID book holders 12 months between the end of production and the final validity deadline to move to a Smart ID card.

Millions of South Africans still use the older form of ID

Despite the years-long rollout of Smart ID cards, approximately 14.7 million South Africans still only have the older form of identification, according to Schreiber.

That means a significant number of people will still need to make the switch before the old documents become invalid.

Home Affairs has been encouraging book holders to obtain Smart ID cards rather than waiting until the final deadline.

Deputy Director-General for Operations at Home Affairs, Tulani Mavuso, previously warned that waiting until the green book was no longer accepted could create problems when people needed to prove their identity.

He said the Smart ID card would become increasingly important for everyday transactions, including dealings with financial institutions.

For the millions of people still using green ID books, the Smart ID card is the immediate replacement.

Home Affairs has said that first-time applicants and people aged over 60 will remain exempt from Smart ID fees, as has been the policy previously.

Schreiber also addressed groups that have historically faced difficulties obtaining Smart ID cards.

He said Home Affairs would enable the remaining cohort of naturalised citizens and permanent residents, as well as South African citizens abroad, to obtain Smart ID cards before the deadline.