CheckID.co.za
About CheckID
CheckID is a privacy-first South African ID number checker and API. It launched in 2017 as a simple structural validator and still does one job. It tells you whether a 13-digit ID number is structurally valid without storing the number.
4,600+ monthly users · 815k+ validations · Operating since 2017 · Zero ID storage · POPIA-aware
Who operates CheckID
Check ID SA is the public product on checkid.co.za. The service is built by Seal Labs, which is credited as CheckID's creator on this site.
You can read how the first version looked in Check ID SA's 2017 launch story. It still checks ID structure, uses POPIA-aware design, and stores none of the ID numbers you check.
What CheckID does
CheckID validates a 13-digit South African ID number for format, date encoding, gender encoding, citizenship indicator, and Luhn checksum. For a valid number it returns structured details such as date of birth, age, gender, and citizenship status, typically under 1 second.
- Use the free South African ID checker on the homepage. Single web checks are unlimited, with no sign-up.
- Integrate the same structural checks through the SA ID validation API documentation or the 5-minute API setup guide.
- Compare API Starter and Professional pricing when you need production API access, bulk validation, or team seats.
What CheckID does not do
The free check, API and subscriptions are not a government database lookup, identity bureau, credit check, document verification provider, or biometric identity product. A structurally valid number does not prove that Home Affairs issued the ID, that it belongs to a specific person, or that it is currently active.
- It cannot retrieve Home Affairs ID application status.
- It cannot find an ID number from a name, or look up a name from an ID number.
- It cannot run a background check or confirm a physical document is genuine. See how verifying an ID document differs from structural validation.
- The free check, API and subscriptions do not store, log, cache, email, or send ID numbers or decoded validation results to analytics or third-party tools. The only exception is a paid Home Affairs verification you choose to order, described in our privacy policy.
Privacy and security
We process ID numbers in memory over TLS and discard them. We do not keep a server-side validation history of the numbers you check. Your browser may keep a masked history (the middle digits are hidden) in its own local storage; it is never sent to us, and the history view is shown only when you are signed in. Account, billing, and support data are limited to what is needed to run the service.
CheckID supports FICA-adjacent intake, HR checks, admissions, and similar workflows without keeping a copy of the ID number. Read the full CheckID privacy policy for collection, cookies, and contact details.
Usage since 2017
These figures show monthly users, historical validations and the launch year. They do not represent a government endorsement.
4,600+
monthly users
815k+
historical validations
2017
year CheckID launched
Trusted by South African businesses
“We love checkid. It simplifies our work day, it's fast and easy to use. Happy customers!”
“We use CheckID at Limpopo CoLab, University of Limpopo, to verify participants undertaking our various training deliverables. The platform has been reliable and effective in confirming South African ID validity, and using it has significantly strengthened our verification and compliance processes.”
Contact
For product, API, or account questions, use the CheckID contact form. You can also email [email protected]. Live chat support is available on every page of the site.
Check the frequently asked questions first if you need Home Affairs status, name lookups, or background checks. The FAQ explains these limits and links to official resources.