Last checked: 26 June 2026
Current Verified Status
Quick answer: We could not verify a current official Home Affairs USSD code for South Africa on the official Department of Home Affairs or South African Government sources checked. Do not dial or share personal information through any “DHA USSD code” unless that exact code is confirmed on an official Home Affairs or gov.za page.
At the time of checking, the official routes point users to Home Affairs online services, branch appointment booking, participating bank branches where available, and the Home Affairs contact centre. The Department of Home Affairs status page also states that the online Status Verification service has been suspended until further notice and directs users to the toll-free hotline, 0800 60 11 90. (Department of Home Affairs)
| Home Affairs service route | Verified status |
|---|---|
| Home Affairs USSD code | No current official USSD code verified |
| DHA USSD code | Not verified on official DHA or gov.za sources checked |
| Home Affairs status USSD | Not verified as an official status-check route |
| DHA online status verification | DHA says the online Status Verification service is suspended until further notice |
| Official contact route | Home Affairs call centre / hotline: 0800 60 11 90 or 0800 601 190, depending on the official page used |
| Safer next step | Use official Home Affairs online services, branch booking, a Home Affairs office, or the official contact centre |
For a wider directory of public-service mobile options, see public service USSD codes. For application tracking guidance, see Home Affairs status check. For phone and support routes, see Home Affairs contact number.
How to Use the Service
Because no current official Home Affairs USSD code could be verified, the safest process is to verify the channel before you dial anything.
Official channel
Only use a USSD code if you can confirm the exact code on an official Department of Home Affairs or South African Government page. Do not rely on forwarded WhatsApp messages, social media screenshots, comments, TikTok videos, or third-party “support” pages that claim to have a secret or faster DHA USSD code.
If a message says you must dial a code to “unlock” your ID, passport, birth certificate, marriage status, or application result, stop and verify it first. Home Affairs has previously warned that the department communicates through official channels, including verified public notices, website postings, media statements, and Home Affairs offices. (SAnews)
Status/check steps
If your goal is to check a Home Affairs status, do not use an unverified USSD code. The current DHA status page says online Status Verification is suspended until further notice and gives the toll-free hotline as the alternative. (Department of Home Affairs)
A safer checking process is:
- Check whether the service is available on an official Home Affairs or gov.za page.
- If the status tool is unavailable, use the Home Affairs contact centre.
- Keep your application receipt, reference number, SMS, or booking confirmation ready.
- Do not post your ID number, reference number, or application details in public comments.
- If someone asks for payment to “release” a result or speed up an application, stop and use an official channel.
When to stop
Stop immediately if the code or message asks for a banking PIN, bank card number, online banking password, OTP, airtime transfer, private payment, or a photo of your ID sent to a personal WhatsApp number. These are not safe requirements for checking a public-service status.
Also stop if the menu does not clearly identify the service, if the wording looks copied or unofficial, or if it redirects you to a private person who claims to work inside Home Affairs.
Documents, Eligibility, or Reference Numbers Needed
The details you need depend on the Home Affairs service you are trying to use. A Home Affairs USSD code page cannot issue documents, approve applications, or confirm a result by itself. It can only help you decide whether a claimed USSD route is verified and what safer route to use next.
For ID services, gov.za says South Africans aged 16 and older may apply for an identity document. The same gov.za service page says Home Affairs has an online booking system for some offices and also points users to the official list of banks that issue Smart IDs. (Government of South Africa)
You may need one or more of the following:
| Service need | Details to prepare |
|---|---|
| ID or Smart ID application | ID number, existing ID if available, cellphone number, application or booking details |
| Passport application | ID number, existing passport where relevant, application confirmation, payment or booking reference |
| Branch appointment | ID number, cellphone number, email address, selected branch, appointment confirmation |
| Collection follow-up | Receipt, SMS notification, application reference, ID number |
| Error correction or re-issue | Existing ID, supporting documents, proof of error, application reference |
| General enquiry | ID number, contact details, service type, branch visited, date of application |
Gov.za also says users can apply for an ID through the Home Affairs online service, which makes the online route a safer alternative than an unverified USSD code. (Government of South Africa)
Official Alternatives if USSD Is Not Available
MyHomeAffairsOnline
Use MyHomeAffairsOnline for supported digital Home Affairs services. The official MyHomeAffairsOnline page describes it as the Department of Home Affairs e-portal for selected citizenship and identity-related services, including booking a DHA branch appointment. (myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za)
The old Branch Appointment Booking System page now states that the booking system has moved to MyHomeAffairsOnline and that users should continue booking or managing appointments on the new website. (services.dha.gov.za)
eHomeAffairs
Use eHomeAffairs for supported ID and passport application steps where available. The official eHomeAffairs page says users can submit ID and passport applications online, make online payments, and make bookings where allowed. (Ehome)
A branch visit may still be required for biometrics, collection, or documents that cannot be completed fully online, so always follow the official instructions shown during the application process.
Home Affairs contact centre
If the USSD route is unavailable or unverified, call the official Home Affairs contact centre instead. Gov.za lists the Department of Home Affairs general enquiries line for identity documents and travel documents as 0800 6011 90. (Government of South Africa)
Another gov.za FAQ page for Home Affairs office contact details lists the call centre as 0800 60 11 90. (Government of South Africa)
Home Affairs branch
Visit a Home Affairs office when your case cannot be handled online, when biometrics are required, when your document has an error, or when the contact centre tells you that a branch visit is necessary.
Where booking is available, book through the official online system rather than paying someone to “get you a slot”. Gov.za says online booking is available for some offices. (Government of South Africa)
Participating bank branches
Some bank branches support Smart ID services. Gov.za points ID applicants to the official Home Affairs bank list for banks that issue Smart IDs. (Government of South Africa)
Do not assume that every branch of a bank can help. Confirm the official Home Affairs bank list, appointment availability, and requirements before travelling.
Public-Service Safety and Scam Warnings
Scammers often use public-service language to make fake codes look official. They may copy the Home Affairs name, use the South African flag, use the DHA logo, or claim they can help with passports, Smart IDs, birth certificates, marriage status, visas, or blocked applications.
Scam warning
Treat a Home Affairs message as suspicious if it:
- Gives a USSD code that is not published on an official Home Affairs or gov.za page
- Sends you to WhatsApp for “support”
- Claims an official can fix your application for cash
- Asks you to pay a person directly
- Requests your OTP, banking PIN, password, or card details
- Tells you to send a photo of your ID to an unknown number
- Uses pressure such as “final warning”, “blocked ID”, or “urgent release”
- Promises a guaranteed booking, passport, Smart ID, or certificate
- Offers to sell appointment slots
Home Affairs has warned before that people should not be misled into seeking documents through illegal means such as bribery, fraud, or corruption, and that doing business with faceless or unauthorised impostors can leave users worse off. (SAnews)
The department has also said senior officials will not ask people to pay them directly for legally rendered services. (SAnews)
How to protect yourself
Use official channels first. Keep your personal documents private. Do not share your ID number, passport number, OTP, password, or application reference in public comments or with unknown “agents”.
If you believe a fake Home Affairs support route involves fraud or corruption, gov.za lists a Home Affairs Counter Corruption Unit number: 012 406 4318. Gov.za also lists national anti-corruption reporting channels, including 0800 701 701. (Government of South Africa)
Related Guides
FAQs
Is there an official Home Affairs USSD code?
We could not verify a current official Home Affairs USSD code on the official sources checked on 26 June 2026. Use Home Affairs online services, branch booking, a Home Affairs office, participating bank services where available, or the official contact centre instead.
Is there a Home Affairs status USSD?
We could not verify a current official Home Affairs status USSD route. The DHA status page says the online Status Verification service is suspended until further notice and directs users to the toll-free hotline. (Department of Home Affairs)
Is this service free to use?
Because no current official Home Affairs USSD service could be verified, do not assume any code is free, official, or safe. If a message asks for airtime, payment, card details, a PIN, or an OTP, stop and use an official Home Affairs route.
What should I do if the USSD option does not work?
Do not keep trying random codes. Use MyHomeAffairsOnline, eHomeAffairs, a Home Affairs branch, or the Home Affairs contact centre. Gov.za lists Home Affairs general enquiries for identity documents and travel documents as 0800 6011 90. (Government of South Africa)
What information should users never share when checking Home Affairs services?
Never share your banking PIN, OTP, card details, online banking password, email password, Home Affairs login password, or copies of your ID document with an unofficial WhatsApp number or social media account.
How can users tell whether a Home Affairs USSD code message is fake?
It is likely unsafe if the code is not confirmed on an official Home Affairs or gov.za source, asks for payment to a private person, sends you to WhatsApp, demands urgent action, or asks for banking details. Home Affairs has warned users to use official channels and not to deal with unauthorised impostors or middlemen. (SAnews)
Where should users confirm the latest public-service details?
Confirm the latest details on official Department of Home Affairs and South African Government channels before using any code, menu path, fee, appointment route, or support number. This page was last checked on 26 June 2026.