Instant SA ID verification for South African businesses

Verify any SA ID number in 1 second. Run unlimited single web checks free, with no sign-up and zero ID data storage.

  • POPIA-aware
  • Zero Data Storage
  • Stripe Secured
  • Cancel anytime

How it works

  1. Enter the ID number

    Type or paste any 13-digit South African ID number into the validator at the top of this page.

  2. Get instant results

    See validity, date of birth, age, gender, and citizenship indicator in under 1 second.

  3. Automate checks with the API

    Need bulk verification? Integrate our REST API in minutes. See the 5-minute setup guide.

Why businesses choose CheckID

Spot invalid numbers and typos instantly

Our algorithm checks the structure of South African ID numbers in real time and flags numbers that cannot be valid.

Read age, gender & citizenship

Extract date of birth, current age, gender and the citizenship indicator from any 13-digit ID number.

5-minute API integration

Add ID verification to your app with a simple REST API. Documentation and code samples are included.

4,600+ monthly users

CheckID has processed 815k+ historical validations.

Who uses CheckID?

HR teams, property managers, healthcare providers, and educators across South Africa use CheckID as a first-line structural check of ID numbers.

HR & Recruitment

Cleaner onboarding data

Run a first-line structural check on a candidate's ID number before it reaches your HR records. It catches typos and made-up numbers, but it is not identity verification.

Property Management

Check tenant ID numbers before signing

Validate prospective tenants' ID numbers in seconds during the application process, so typos and numbers that cannot be valid are caught early. It does not confirm who the applicant is.

Healthcare

Accurate patient records

Catch mistyped ID numbers at registration, before they cause duplicate records or billing errors. Keep patient data clean and POPIA-aware.

Education

Student & staff ID number checks

Universities and training providers use CheckID to validate the ID numbers captured for student enrolments and staff records quickly and reliably.

Trusted by Business

Used by South African teams

Operating since 2017, checkid.co.za has 4,600+ monthly active users and has done 815k+ validations.

Zero ID data storage

We do not store ID numbers submitted for checks or their decoded results on our servers. Browser history can be cleared locally.

POPIA-first design

The service minimises data collection and retention, making it easier for your organisation to meet its POPIA duties.

Strong structural validation

Validates the format and encoding of ID numbers without a Home Affairs lookup.

API & developer docs

REST API with individual and bulk endpoints makes integrating ID validation into your own workflow easy.

Instant responses · Fast and free · No payment required

Frequently asked questions

Is CheckID POPIA-aware?

Yes. CheckID performs structural validation only, and we never store the ID numbers you enter. No personally identifiable information (PII) is retained after your query, making the service POPIA-aware and privacy-first.

How accurate is the check?

Our checks cover every digit of the 13-digit SA ID number against the South African ID number structure, including the checksum digit. It flags numbers that are structurally invalid, such as typos and many made-up numbers. A number can pass and still not belong to a real person, so this is not identity verification.

Can I verify IDs in bulk via API?

Yes. API Starter includes 1,000 single production calls per month. Professional and Business add single and bulk API access for teams, subject to fair usage. See the 5-minute setup guide to get started.

What information does CheckID extract?

For any valid SA ID number CheckID returns the date of birth, current age, gender (male/female) and citizenship indicator (SA citizen, permanent resident or refugee).

Do I need a credit card to start?

No. Single checks on the web are free with no sign-up or credit card. Create an account for API test calls, then upgrade when you need production API or bulk access.

Does this work with foreign nationals' South African IDs?

Yes. Permanent residents are also issued 13-digit SA ID numbers. CheckID validates these too and reads the citizenship digit (1 for a permanent resident, shown as 'Non-SA Citizen').

Start checking SA ID numbers

Join 4,600+ monthly users. Single web checks are free, with no sign-up, credit card, or commitment.