BABS Home Affairs online booking: make an appointment in 2024
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) introduced the Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS) for South Africans seeking Smart ID cards and passports to book dates for submitting their biometrics data. The system allows you to book an appointment with your preferred Home Affairs-enabled Bank Office. This article explains the BABS Home Affairs online booking process for a biometrics submission date.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- BABS Home Affairs online booking process for a biometrics submission date
- How to apply for an ID online in South Africa
- Requirements for online Smart ID application
- How do you access Home Affairs?
- How do you download my Home Affairs confirmation letter?
- How long does it take to get a South African ID?
- Can you speed up a passport application in South Africa?
- Is Home Affairs online booking for a marriage certificate possible?
- Is Home Affairs online booking for a birth certificate possible?
After reading this article, you will have an overview of why the BABS Home Affairs online booking system was created, what it does, and how to book a date for biometrics submission (i.e., photo, fingerprints, and signature) through this platform.
BABS Home Affairs online booking process for a biometrics submission date
You can submit your biometrics at a Home Affairs office or a Home Affairs-enabled Bank Office. You do not need to book a date with a Home Affairs office but must book an appointment with a Home Affairs-enabled Bank Office. The following guide explains the Home Affairs online booking process for a passport biometrics submission date:
- Go to the DHA BABS website.
- Hover the cursor on "Civil Services."
- Click "APPLY ONLINE - Passport & Smart ID."
- Enter your ID Number and password on the login/registration page of the eHomeAffairs application portal.
- Complete the Captcha and enter an OTP (OneTimePin) sent to your cellphone number via SMS.
Source: UGC
- Once logged in, go to "Booking Information" and select your province, city/town, branch type (bank), branch, and date range.
- Click "Download Confirmation" and save your barcoded Confirmation Letter to your PC. You can open it in a PDF format and print it.
- Bring your barcoded confirmation Letter and ID Book (if available) to a Home Affairs-enabled Bank Office on the scheduled date to submit your biometrics.
You can use the steps explained above when undertaking a Home Affairs online booking process for an ID card biometrics submission date.
Only those who book appointments with the Home Affairs-enabled Bank Offices through BABS can be served at dedicated counters.
The BABS Home Affairs staff will contact you when your Smart ID or passport is ready. Usually, the documents are ready for collection within 14 working days after submitting your biometrics.
How to apply for an ID online in South Africa
SA citizens are encouraged to apply for Smart IDs and passports through the BABS online booking Home Affairs system. To do this, register/create an account on the BABS website, apply for an ID or passport, pay application charges, upload the necessary documents, and then book an appointment to submit your biometrics. Below is a step-by-step Home Affairs online application guide:
- Go to the DHA BABS website.
- Hover the cursor on "Civil Services."
- Click "APPLY ONLINE - Passport & Smart ID."
- Click "Register" on the eHomeAffairs' login/registration page.
- Create your profile (fill in your details, create a password, and answer the security questions) and click "Next."
Source: UGC
- Enter the verification OTP (OneTimePin) sent to your cellphone number via SMS and click "Submit OTP."
- Return to the eHomeAffairs application portal and log in to your profile. Enter your username (ID Number), password, complete the captcha, and the login OTP (OneTimePin) received via SMS to log in to your profile.
- Complete the Smart ID or passport application form. All fields highlighted in red are mandatory and must be completed.
- Select the type of applicant, yourself or a minor, and fill out the form underneath this section.
- Submit the completed application by selecting “Submit.”
- Upload scanned copies of applicable documents from the list of documents the system will show you. You will present the original documents at the Home Affairs offices or the Home Affairs-enabled Bank Offices.
- Pay the application charges from your bank's online banking system (use authorized banks and branches only).
- Book an appointment at a Home Affairs-enabled Bank Office for biometrics capture.
- Download and print your Confirmation Letter in a PDF format and bring it with your ID Book (if available) to the Home Affairs-enabled Bank Office on the scheduled biometrics capture date.
Source: UGC
Requirements for online Smart ID application
One must meet some requirements when applying for a Smart ID online for the first time. Some of those requirements include:
- Must be 16 years old or older
- Must be a South African citizen by birth
- Must have a birth certificate copy
- Must have legit copies of parents’ ID cards and provide a death certificate in case the parent is late
- Anyone with a legal guardian must have a copy of a legal document to prove fostering
How do you access Home Affairs?
Visit the www.dha.gov.za ID application and online booking website. Hover the cursor on "Civil Services," click "APPLY ONLINE - Passport & Smart ID," and enter your ID Number and password, complete the Captcha, and enter an OTP (OneTimePin) sent to your cellphone number via SMS. Once logged into the eHomeAffairs portal, you can apply for passports or Smart IDs and book a biometrics submission date.
How do you book a passport online?
To make a Home Affairs online booking for a passport, go to the eHomeAffairs portal and enter your ID Number and password. Complete the Captcha and enter an OTP (OneTimePin) sent to your cellphone number via SMS.
Once logged into the portal, go to the "Booking Information" section and book a date for submitting your passport biometrics at a Home Affairs-enabled Bank office.
How do you book an ID online?
To make a Home Affairs online booking for an ID, log in to the eHomeAffairs portal, go to the "Booking Information" section, and book a date for submitting your ID biometrics at a Home Affairs-enabled Bank office.
How do you reset my Home Affairs password?
Go to the eHomeAffairs portal, and click "Forgot Password/Password Reset?" Enter your ID number and select whether your contacts changed or did not change. Click "Next," and a verification code (OTP) will be sent to your cellphone number. Enter the new OTP and a new password on the login page of the eHomeAffairs portal to access your account.
Source: UGC
How do you download my Home Affairs confirmation letter?
Go to the eHomeAffairs portal, enter your username (ID Number) and password, and complete the Captcha. Enter an OTP (OneTimePin) sent to your cellphone number via SMS to log in. Afterward, go to the "Booking Information" section and book a date for biometrics submission. Click "Download Confirmation" and save your barcoded Confirmation Letter to your PC.
How do you approve your Home Affairs payment on Absa?
Request a payment authorization process guide from Absa Bank so that when the eHomeAffairs portal requests your bank details, you can authorize the payment from your banking app. If the payment is successful, you will see a "Bank Authorization Received" notification on the eHomeAffairs portal.
How much is a smart ID card?
For youths and pensioners over 60, first-time applications for an ID or a Smart ID are free. Other South African applicants pay R140. Replacement of an ID or Smart Card is R140, and a temporary ID costs R70.
How long does it take to get a South African ID?
It takes about 14 working days after submitting your biometrics at a Home Affairs-enabled Bank Office for the Smart ID or passport to be ready. The relevant BABS Homes Affairs officials will contact you and give you a collection date once it has been prepared.
To access a PDF document explaining how to make an appointment at Home Affairs online, go to the DHA BABS website, hover the cursor on "Civil Services," click "APPLY ONLINE - Passport & Smart ID, " then click "How To" and download the PDF.
How do you check if your passport is ready for collection in South Africa?
Send ID >>> leave a space >>> your ID number to 32551 via SMS. The service will help you track the status of your passport application.
Source: UGC
Can you speed up a passport application in South Africa?
You cannot speed up your passport application in South Africa. All permanent South African passports and travel documents (machine-readable documents) are printed only in Pretoria, from where they are dispatched to the offices of application.
Applications made within South Africa can be submitted to any office of the Department of Home Affairs; applications made outside of the country can be submitted to your nearest South Africa embassy or mission.
Is Home Affairs online booking for a marriage certificate possible?
You can register a marriage at a Home Affairs Office and through the BABS Home Affairs online booking system.
Is Home Affairs online booking for a birth certificate possible?
You can register birth certificates at a Home Affairs Office and through the BABS Home Affairs online booking system.
Is Home Affairs online booking for a death certificate possible?
You can register for a death certificate at a Home Affairs Office or through the BABS Home Affairs online booking system.
DHA developed the BABS Home Affairs online booking system to eradicate corruption and speed up the biometrics capturing process for Smart IDs and passports. Home Affairs-enabled Bank Offices no longer allow walk-in visits. All South Africans who want to submit their biometrics for passports or Smart ID cards at these offices must book appointments using the BABS system.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not sponsored by any third party. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
Briefly.co.za explained how to get your SASSA OTP code during registration. SASSA distributes social grants for the Department of Social Development (DSD).
The R350 monthly SRD Grant is for unemployed South Africans ages 18 and 59. To register for this grant, you need an OTP code.
Source: Briefly News
Ruth Gitonga (Lifestyle writer) Ruth Gitonga has a background experience in Mass Communication for over six years. She graduated from the University of Nairobi with a degree in Mass Communication in December 2014. In 2023, Ruth finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She has worked for Briefly.co.za for five years now. She specializes in topics like lifestyle, entertainment, travel, technology, and sports. Email: gitongaruth14@gmail.com.
Peris Walubengo (Lifestyle writer) Peris Walubengo is a content creator with 5 years of experience writing articles, researching, editing, and proofreading. She has a Bachelor of Commerce & IT from the University of Nairobi and joined Briefly.co.za in November 2019. The writer completed a Google News Initiate Course. She covers bios, marketing & finance, tech, fashion & beauty, recipes, movies & gaming reviews, culture & travel. You can email her at perisrodah254@gmail.com.
