The Requirement to Register in South Africa

Who can register?

You must:

• be a South African citizen;
• be at least 16 years old (you can only vote from age 18); and
• and have a green, bar-coded ID book; smartcard ID; or valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC).

When and where can I register?

Make an appointment to apply for registration during office hours at the local IEC office responsible for your voting district. Please always phone first to make an appointment.

How do I know if or where I’m registered?

To check your registration details, you can:

• send an SMS with your ID number to 32810 (R1.00 per SMS);
• download our mobile app and enter your ID number;
• Check your voter registration details;
• or check at your local IEC office during office hours.

What documents do I need to apply for registration?

By law, you must apply in person (no online or email registrations are permitted). Please bring your:

• green, bar-coded ID book;
• smartcard ID; or
• valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC).