Lost or stolen ID: what to do, and how to replace it

An identity document is not only proof of identity. Its number is the hook that credit providers, banks and mobile networks use to verify a person, which is why a lost ID is a fraud risk rather than simply an inconvenience.

Step 1 - Report and record

If the document was stolen, report it to the police and keep the case number. If it was lost, you still need a sworn affidavit describing how. Affidavits are made at a police station or before a commissioner of oaths and cost nothing.

The distinction matters because the police case number is independent evidence of the event, while an affidavit is your own account. Both support a re-issue; the case number supports the fraud complaint if the document is misused.

Step 2 - Apply for the replacement

Replacement applications are made at a Department of Home Affairs office or a participating bank branch, exactly like a normal application. You need:

• the affidavit,
• any other identity document you hold - a passport, a driver’s licence, or a previous certified copy,
• the re-issue fee.

The application captures new fingerprints and a photograph, so the same rules apply as for a new Smart ID card: you apply in person and you collect in person.

Step 3 - Protect the identity number

An identity number that is correctly flagged at Home Affairs is still a number that fraudsters can attempt to use. Three practical steps:

1. Register a protective notification with a fraud prevention service. This alerts lenders and other members when the identity details are used in an application, which converts a silent fraud into a blocked one.
2. Check your credit record. Credit bureaux allow one free report a year, and unexpected hard enquiries are how opened accounts show up.
3. Watch your bank statements and cellphone contract. Accounts opened in your name almost always surface first as a debit order or a contract you did not sign.

What to expect on timing

The replacement goes through the same production process as any identity document, so expect weeks rather than days. If an identity record issue exists (a mismatch between your birth record and the document details), it will surface now and has to be resolved before the card is produced - which is one more reason to keep your details consistent across documents.

If you are abroad

If your document was lost or stolen outside South Africa, report it to the local police and contact the nearest South African mission. A replacement is applied for on your return, but the mission can issue documentation to help you travel home. The passport guide covers the emergency travel certificate route.

Last reviewed 13 October 2026. Fees and requirements are set by Home Affairs and change; confirm the current position at the office or bank before you go.