How to Verify a SA ID Number Online

Step-by-step guide to verifying South African ID numbers against the Department of Home Affairs database. Learn about ID validation, verification methods, FICA requirements, and best practices.

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Instant

Verification Time

13 Digits

SA ID Format

Home Affairs

Official Source

From R5

Per Verification

1. Understanding SA ID Numbers

South African ID numbers are 13-digit numbers that contain encoded information about the holder. Understanding this structure helps you perform basic validation before verification.

Positions	Meaning	Example
1-6	Date of birth (YYMMDD)	850615 = 15 June 1985
7	Gender	0-4 = Female, 5-9 = Male
8-10	Sequence number	Distinguishes people born same day
11	Citizenship	0 = SA citizen, 1 = Permanent resident
12	Historically used (now 8)	Fixed value
13	Check digit	Validates the ID using Luhn algorithm

Basic Validation Is Not Enough

While you can validate ID format locally using the Luhn algorithm, this only confirms the ID could be valid - not that it actually exists. For FICA compliance and fraud prevention, you must verify against the Home Affairs database.

2. Step-by-Step Verification Guide

Obtain Consent

Important

Get written consent from the person whose ID you want to verify. Under POPIA, you need their permission unless verification is required by law (e.g., FICA).

Choose a Verification Provider

Select an authorized verification service that has access to the Home Affairs population register. VerifyNow provides instant verification.

Enter the ID Number

Enter the 13-digit South African ID number. Most systems will validate the format before submission.

Optionally Add Name

Enter the person's name to get a name match percentage. This helps confirm the ID belongs to the claimed person.

Submit for Verification

Submit the request. The system queries the Home Affairs database in real-time. Results typically return within seconds.

Review Results

Check the verification results: ID validity, name match, date of birth, citizenship, and vital status.

Save the Certificate

Important

Download and save the verification certificate for your compliance records. FICA requires 5-year retention.

3. Verification Methods

Online Verification Service

Use a web-based verification platform to check IDs instantly.

Pros

Instant results
No integration required
Pay per check

Cons

Manual data entry
Not suitable for high volumes

Best For

Small businesses, occasional verification needs

API Integration

Integrate verification directly into your systems via API.

Pros

Automated verification
Scalable
Seamless user experience

Cons

Development required
Upfront integration effort

Best For

Medium to large businesses, high volume verification

Bulk Upload

Upload a file with multiple IDs for batch verification.

Pros

Process many IDs at once
Cost-effective for batches

Cons

Not real-time
Manual file handling

Best For

Periodic bulk verification (e.g., employee audits)

4. What Verification Returns

Home Affairs Verification Results

ID Valid:Confirms the ID number exists in Home Affairs database

Full Names:First names and surname as registered

Date of Birth:Date of birth as registered

Gender:Gender as registered

Citizenship:SA Citizen or Permanent Resident

Vital Status:Alive, Deceased, or Unknown

ID Photo:Photo from ID document (with enhanced verification)

Name Match %:Percentage match to provided name (if queried)

Enhanced Verification

Enhanced verification includes the ID photo from Home Affairs, allowing you to compare the document photo with the person present. This provides additional fraud protection for high-value transactions.

5. Legal Requirements (FICA & POPIA)

FICA Requirements

Under FICA Section 21, accountable institutions must verify customer identity before establishing a business relationship.

Verify against independent source (Home Affairs)
Document verification method and outcome
Retain records for 5 years

POPIA Requirements

Under POPIA, you need consent to process personal information unless required by law.

Obtain written consent (or rely on FICA exemption)
Inform person of verification purpose
Secure storage of verification records

6. Common Use Cases

FICA Compliance

Accountable institutions must verify customer identity under FICA Section 21.

Employment Verification

Verify employee identity during hiring process for compliance and fraud prevention.

Tenant Screening

Landlords and estate agents verify tenant identity before signing leases.

Customer Onboarding

Verify customer identity for account opening, service signup, or contract signing.

Age Verification

Confirm a person is over 18 for age-restricted products or services.

Fraud Prevention

Detect identity fraud by confirming ID details match a real person.

7. Validation vs Verification

Validation (Format Check)

Checks if the ID number could be valid based on format rules. Does NOT confirm the ID exists or belongs to a real person.

Can be done locally/offline
Free to perform
Not sufficient for FICA
Cannot detect fraud

Verification (Database Check)

Confirms the ID actually exists in Home Affairs database and returns associated information about the person.

Queries official database
Confirms ID exists
FICA compliant
Detects deceased/invalid IDs

8. Frequently Asked Questions

How can I verify a South African ID number online?

You can verify a South African ID number online using authorized verification services that connect to the Department of Home Affairs population register. These services verify the ID number, confirm the person's name, date of birth, citizenship status, and whether they are alive or deceased. VerifyNow provides instant ID verification against Home Affairs.

Is it legal to verify someone's ID number in South Africa?

Yes, it is legal to verify someone's ID number if you have their consent and a legitimate purpose (like FICA compliance, employment verification, or rental applications). Under POPIA, you need written consent unless the verification is required by law (such as FICA). You must also inform the person why you are verifying their ID.

What information does ID verification return?

ID verification against Home Affairs returns: confirmation the ID exists, full names (first names and surname), date of birth, gender, citizenship status (SA citizen or permanent resident), vital status (alive or deceased), and ID photo (with enhanced verification). Some services also return address information from other databases.

How much does ID verification cost in South Africa?

ID verification typically costs between R5-R30 per check depending on the provider and volume. Basic ID number validation costs less, while enhanced verification with photo match costs more. Bulk verification packages offer discounted rates for high-volume users.

How long does online ID verification take?

Online ID verification is typically instant (2-5 seconds) when using electronic API verification. The Home Affairs database is queried in real-time. Manual verification methods or batch processing may take longer. VerifyNow provides instant results for most verifications.

Related Resources

ID Verification Service

FICA Guide

KYC Guide

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