BI-9 Form: SA ID Application Form Explained [2026]

The BI-9 form is one of the most important documents you will ever fill in as a South African citizen. It is the official Department of Home Affairs application form for an Identity Document (ID) — the paper form you complete when you apply for your first ID, replace a lost or stolen ID, or update your personal details.

If you are 16 or older and you have never had an SA ID, the BI-9 is the form that gets you into the system. This guide explains exactly what the BI-9 form is, who needs to complete it, what supporting documents you need, and how to avoid the most common mistakes that cause rejections at Home Affairs.

What Is the BI-9 Form?

The BI-9 form — full title "Application for an Identity Document" — is a standard Department of Home Affairs (DHA) form used to apply for a South African ID. The form code "BI" stands for "Births and Identity" and is used across most DHA identity-related forms, from birth registration (BI-24) to death notification (BI-132). The BI-9 is specifically for ID applications.

It is a single-page form (double-sided) that captures your full name, date of birth, place of birth, ID number, marital status, parents' details, address, and contact information. It also requires two identical ID-sized photographs and your fingerprints, which are taken by the DHA official at the branch.

The form is free. You never need to pay anyone to download, print, or submit a BI-9.

Who Needs to Complete a BI-9 Form?

You need to fill in a BI-9 if any of the following apply:

First-time ID applicants — South African citizens aged 16 and older applying for their first ID.
Replacing a lost or stolen ID — if your ID book or Smart ID Card has been lost, stolen, or damaged. See our guide to replacing a lost ID card for the full process.
Upgrading from a green ID book to a Smart ID Card — although many branches now accept online applications via eHomeAffairs, some still require a paper BI-9.
Permanent residents — non-SA citizens who hold permanent residence status apply for a South African ID using the same form.
Re-issue after a name change — marriage, divorce, or deed-poll name changes require a new ID and a fresh BI-9.

Minors under the age of 16 do not fill in a BI-9. A different form (BI-24 for birth registration) applies, and a parent or guardian completes it on the child's behalf. If the birth was never registered within the 30-day window at all, the applicant — whether a child or an adult who has only just discovered the gap — must first complete late registration of birth before a BI-9 can be submitted.

What Information Is on the BI-9 Form?

The BI-9 form is divided into sections you fill in yourself and a declaration section signed in the presence of a Home Affairs official. The fields include:

Personal details — surname, first names, maiden name (if applicable), date of birth, place of birth, gender, and citizenship status.
ID number — your 13-digit South African ID number if you have one. If you're not sure yours is valid, use our free ID checker tool to verify it before you submit.
Parents' details — full names and ID numbers of both parents.
Marital status — single, married, divorced, or widowed, with supporting documentation if applicable.
Residential and postal address — your current address and a postal address if different.
Contact details — phone number and email address.
Photograph and signature — two identical colour photographs and your signature (not needed if you apply online via eHomeAffairs, where the photo and signature are captured digitally).

Where to Get the BI-9 Form

There are three ways to get hold of a BI-9 form:

At any Home Affairs branch — the BI-9 is free and freely available at every branch in South Africa. Most people pick it up on the day of their appointment.
Download as a PDF from the DHA website — visit dha.gov.za under the Forms section. Print it on white A4 paper and complete it in black ink before your appointment.
Collect from a participating bank branch — Standard Bank, FNB, Absa, and Nedbank branches that partner with Home Affairs for Smart ID applications also stock the BI-9. See our full list of branches for locations near you.

How to Complete the BI-9 Form Step-by-Step

Work through the form in this order to avoid having to redo sections:

Use black ink and block capitals — DHA scanners process the form digitally, so untidy handwriting causes delays.
Fill in personal details accurately — match the spelling and dates on your birth certificate exactly. A single letter wrong in your surname can cause the application to be rejected.
Confirm your ID number — if you already have one, verify it using our South African ID validator.
Attach two ID photos — 35 × 45 mm, white background, plain clothes, no glasses. Some branches take the photo on-site, but bring spares.
Sign in the presence of the DHA official — do not sign the declaration box at home. The official must witness your signature.
Hand in at the counter — the clerk will take your fingerprints, scan the form, and issue a receipt with a reference number.

Supporting Documents You Need with Your BI-9

A correctly completed BI-9 is only half the job. You also need:

Unabridged birth certificate — the original, not a copy.
Two identical ID photographs (unless captured on-site).
Proof of residence — a utility bill or bank statement no older than three months.
Supporting identity documents for name changes — marriage certificate, divorce decree, or deed-poll order if applicable.
Permanent residence permit — for permanent residents applying for an SA ID.
Parent or guardian ID — if the applicant is under 18, a parent or legal guardian must accompany them and produce their own ID.

BI-9 vs Online Application on eHomeAffairs

Since 2013, South Africans have had the option of applying for a Smart ID Card online through the eHomeAffairs portal. The online process still uses the same data fields as the BI-9 — you are effectively filling in a digital version — but you don't print anything and your photograph and fingerprints are captured at a participating bank branch on the day of your appointment.

The paper BI-9 is still the default for:

First-time ID applicants at branches without biometric kiosks
Replacements for lost or stolen green ID books
Any applicant without access to online banking

If you have an online banking profile with one of the partner banks, the online route is faster and avoids queues. For everyone else, the paper BI-9 remains the official form. You can book your appointment online even if you intend to submit a paper BI-9 at the branch.

Common BI-9 Form Mistakes

The DHA rejects a surprising number of BI-9 applications every month because of avoidable errors. The most common are:

Signing the declaration before arriving at the branch. The signature must be witnessed by the DHA official.
Spelling names inconsistently. Your BI-9 must match your birth certificate exactly — including hyphens, apostrophes, and accents.
Incorrect ID number for parents. Double-check your parents' ID numbers using our ID validator tool.
Wrong photo specifications. Photos must be colour, 35 × 45 mm, with a white background and no glasses or head coverings (religious head coverings are allowed if the face is fully visible).
Missing proof of residence. Bring a recent utility bill or a stamped bank statement in your name.

If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection reason and can resubmit. While you wait for your ID to be reprinted, you can apply for a Temporary Identity Certificate — valid for up to two months and accepted for most transactions.

What Happens After You Submit Your BI-9 Form?

Once your BI-9 is submitted and your fingerprints and photo are captured, the DHA prints the ID centrally and ships it to your chosen collection branch. The usual turnaround is 14 working days for a Smart ID Card and up to 6 weeks for a green ID book (green books are being phased out — most applications now produce a Smart ID).

You can check progress by:

Sending an SMS with the word ID and your 13-digit ID number to 32551
Calling the Home Affairs contact centre on 0800 60 11 90
Checking online via our ID application status guide

When your ID is ready, visit your collection branch with the receipt. See our ID collection guide for what to expect on collection day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the BI-9 form free?

Yes. The BI-9 form itself is free. First-time ID applications are also free. Replacements for a lost or damaged Smart ID cost R140 in 2026. See our full fee schedule for all ID-related costs.

Can I fill in a BI-9 form for my child?

Children under 16 use different application forms (BI-24 for birth registration). From age 16, South African citizens must apply for their own ID using the BI-9, but a parent or legal guardian must accompany a minor under 18 to the branch.

Can I download the BI-9 form online?

Yes. The BI-9 is available as a free PDF download from the Department of Home Affairs website at dha.gov.za. Print it on white A4 paper and complete it in black ink. Alternatively, pick one up for free at any Home Affairs branch.

What is the difference between the BI-9 and the BI-24?

The BI-9 is for applying for an ID document. The BI-24 is for registering a birth. Some branches use BI-9 variants for late birth registrations and name changes, so confirm with the official which form applies to your situation.

Where can I get help filling in the BI-9 form?

Home Affairs officials at every branch will help you fill in the form during your appointment. You can also ask for help at participating bank branches that handle Smart ID applications. Do not pay a third party to fill in the form for you — it is free and straightforward.

Do I need a BI-9 for a Smart ID or only for the green ID book?

You need the same BI-9 form for both. The Smart ID Card has replaced the green ID book for new applicants, and the paper BI-9 is still used at branches that don't yet have a live biometric kiosk. If you apply online via eHomeAffairs, you are filling in a digital version of the same data, so no printed BI-9 is needed.

The Takeaway

The BI-9 form is the entry ticket to the South African identity system. It is free, widely available, and straightforward to complete — provided you bring the right supporting documents and don't sign the declaration before you arrive at the branch. If you are applying for the first time, replacing a lost ID, or upgrading from a green book to a Smart ID Card, the BI-9 is the form you will be filling in.

Once you have your ID number, use our free South African ID validator to confirm it is formatted correctly and passes the Luhn checksum. If you are helping someone else apply, verify their existing ID number the same way to avoid delays at the counter.