A temporary identity certificate (TIC) is a short-term identity document issued while you wait for a permanent ID card. The term means different things in different countries. In South Africa it is a Home Affairs document for people who have lost their ID. In India it was the first identity document issued to workers covered by the ESIC health insurance scheme. Here is how each one works, what it costs and how to get one.
Temporary identity certificate, quick answer:
- South Africa: issued by the Department of Home Affairs if your ID is lost, stolen or damaged. The regulated fee is R70. It is valid only for a short period and is accepted for voting.
- India (ESIC): an employee's first identity document under the ESIC scheme, now called the e-Pehchan card. It is downloaded online rather than collected from an office.
- Elsewhere: some agencies, such as US state motor vehicle departments, issue temporary paper ID certificates while a card is printed.
What Is a Temporary Identity Certificate?
A TIC proves who you are for a limited time, usually while an official card is being produced or replaced. It is not a passport and generally cannot be used for international travel. Because it is temporary, banks, employers and other organisations decide for themselves whether to accept it, so carry supporting documents where you can.
Temporary Identity Certificate in South Africa
Who issues it and what the law says
South Africa's Department of Home Affairs issues TICs under section 16 of the Identification Act, 1997. The law allows the Director-General to issue a temporary identity certificate to a person on the population register. For the period and on the conditions stated on the certificate, it counts as the holder's identity card.
When you need one
- Your green ID book or smart ID card is lost, stolen or damaged.
- You need to prove your identity urgently, for example to vote, while a replacement is being made.
Since a 2011 ministerial directive, you can apply for a TIC on its own without also applying for a new ID at the same time. The Electoral Commission has accepted TICs for voting.
How to get a temporary ID certificate in South Africa
- Visit any Department of Home Affairs office. Phone ahead to confirm the office offers the service.
- Bring two identical colour ID photos. The Western Cape Government's guidance says colour photos are needed for temporary IDs even at smart card offices.
- Have your fingerprints verified. Issuing a TIC is subject to fingerprint verification.
- Pay the fee. Regulation 15 of the Identification Act regulations sets the fee for a temporary identity certificate at R70.
If you have no ID details on record, Home Affairs may ask for more documents, such as a certified copy of your birth certificate, according to a GroundUp answer on the process.
How long is a South African TIC valid?
Official guidance says a TIC is valid only for a short period, and the validity date is printed on the certificate. Older figures online, including a fee of R140 from 2011, are out of date. Always check the date on your own certificate and apply for your permanent ID straight away.
Temporary Identity Certificate in India (ESIC)
What it is
Under India's Employees' State Insurance (ESI) scheme, run by the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), newly registered workers and their families used to receive a Temporary Identity Certificate. It let them use ESI medical benefits until they enrolled for a permanent biometric Pehchan card.
The change to e-Pehchan
An ESIC circular to employers explains that the TIC was originally valid for 30 days. It says the TIC "has been renamed as e-Pehchan Card." If the worker's Aadhaar number is entered in the ESIC database, the e-Pehchan card serves as a permanent identity card, with no need for biometric enrolment. Without Aadhaar, it remains temporary, and the worker and family are not entitled to treatment beyond 30 days of registration.
Some employer and payroll guides describe a three-month validity instead. Rules have changed over time, so check the current position on the ESIC portal or with your employer.
How to get your ESIC TIC or e-Pehchan card
- Your employer registers you with ESIC, which generates your 10-digit Insurance Number (IP number).
- Make sure your and your family members' Aadhaar numbers are linked to that Insurance Number.
- Download and print the e-Pehchan card from the ESIC insured person portal, or ask your employer for a copy.
Temporary Identity Certificates in Other Countries
- United States: some state motor vehicle departments issue a temporary paper ID certificate while a card is printed and mailed. Whether a business accepts it is up to that business.
- Poland: the Office for Foreigners issues a temporary foreigner identity certificate to certain foreign nationals.
- United Arab Emirates: in some free zones, labourers employed through approved manpower companies receive a temporary identity card.
Tips for Using a Temporary ID Certificate
- Keep it flat and clean. Damaged paper certificates may be rejected.
- Carry a second document, such as a birth certificate, driving licence or bank card, when you use it.
- Note the expiry date and follow up on your permanent ID before it lapses.
- Never pay an agent who promises a "fast-track" TIC. Apply directly with the issuing authority.
If your ID was lost because of a scam or theft, our guides to spotting fraud, such as our warning about "pay to unlock" task scams, cover common tactics to watch for.
Temporary Identity Certificate FAQs
What is a temporary identity certificate used for?
To prove your identity for a short time while a permanent ID is issued or replaced, for example for voting in South Africa or for ESI medical benefits in India.
How much does a temporary identity certificate cost in South Africa?
R70, according to the current Identification Act regulations.
Can I travel abroad with a temporary identity certificate?
Generally no. A TIC is not a travel document. You need a passport, or an emergency travel document from the passport authority.
Is the ESIC TIC the same as the e-Pehchan card?
Yes. ESIC renamed the TIC as the e-Pehchan card. It becomes permanent once your Aadhaar number is linked.
Checked on November 8, 2026, against South Africa's Identification Act and regulations, government statements, Western Cape Government guidance and an ESIC employer circular. Requirements can change, so confirm with the issuing authority before you apply.