Need an ID, or passport? Visit the new Home Affairs office at the Civic Centre

24 August 2026

The City of Cape Town is the first municipality to host a new office of the National Department of Home Affairs where clients can enjoy the convenience of being served on an appointment-only basis. The opening ceremony was officiated by the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, and Alderman Theresa Uys, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services and custodian of the Civic Centre facility. This marks a historic moment of collaboration for both spheres of government towards improving access to key government services.

The National Department of Home Affairs established the appointment-only office at the Civic Centre on Hertzog Boulevard in the Cape Town central business district. The office is located on the second floor of the Civic Centre, next to the City’s cash office.

‘The City is pleased to play its role in offering municipal and national application services, all based at one location. Having a Department of Home Affairs in the Civic Centre will mean that residents can more efficiently complete their admin to renew motor licences, pay their rates, and now also make application for essential identification and travel documents. It will now be easier and quicker to do more of life’s admin,’ said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.

The City handed over the site to Home Affairs in June to implement the infrastructure needed for their services.

‘I am grateful that this office is now up and running within less than three months. Capetonians will now benefit from streamlined, appointment-based access to a critical government service at the Civic Centre that is centrally located with convenient and easy access for those using public transport. City facilities should be in service of our residents. With this office opening its doors today, we have a great example of what can be achieved when the two spheres of government collaborate in service of its residents,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Alderman Theresa Uys.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, said: ‘Through our ambitious reform programme, Home Affairs@home, we are transforming the way South Africans access government services. Our groundbreaking digital partnership with the banking sector has already expanded Smart ID services to more than 450 bank branches across the country, including dozens here in Cape Town. This modern new office at the Civic Centre builds on that momentum by bringing Home Affairs closer to where people already live, work and travel, while taking pressure off busy offices like the one in Barrack Street. Step by step, our reforms are delivering a new, modern, and accessible Home Affairs that delivers dignity for all.’

Appointments for the new Home Affairs office at the Cape Town Civic Centre can be made through the Department of Home Affairs’ newly improved online booking system.

Captions: The City of Cape Town is now hosting a new office of the National Department of Home Affairs where clients are served on an appointment-only basis. The opening ceremony was officiated by the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, and Alderman Theresa Uys, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services and custodian of the Civic Centre facility, as well as Mr Thulani Mavuso (wearing glasses), the Deputy Director General for Home Affairs, and Mr Tommy Makhode, the Director General for Home Affairs.

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