South Africans whose identity numbers were blocked before November 2022 have until Friday, 10 July 2026, to visit a Department of Home Affairs office and verify their identity.
The Department of Home Affairs is addressing identity numbers that were blocked through a nationwide verification campaign.
The department says affected individuals must submit representations at Home Affairs offices (excluding refugee reception centres and banks), explaining why their identity documents should be unblocked.
In a statement at the start of June 2026, the department urged affected persons to come forward before the deadline to avoid the possible cancellation of their identity numbers.
“In accordance with section 3 of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA) of 2000, affected individuals are invited to submit representations explaining why their identity numbers should be unblocked. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of the affected identity numbers following the completion of the administrative process,” the department said.
Officials said the process is aimed at strengthening the integrity of the National Population Register.
They added that a number of IDs were blocked under Section 19 of the Identification Act (Act No. 68 of 1997), including cases involving duplicates and instances where an individual’s status required further verification. To date, 2 202 368 identity numbers have been unblocked.
Where applicable, applicants are advised to bring supporting documentation, including but not limited to:
- Original birth certificate (including handwritten versions)
- Original clinic card or confirmation of birth
- Copy of hospital register or other proof of birth
- Parents’ identity documents, reference books, or death certificates
- Primary school extract and a copy of the school register
- House permit or letter from the relevant traditional authority
- Affidavit from parents or the original informant, together with a copy of the informant’s identity document
- Any other document that may assist in confirming identity, citizenship, or legal status
