National ID Card (NID) 2024, Process to Apply | FAQs

The government of Nepal has begun issuing National ID card (NID) or Rastriya Parichaya Patra issuance to eligible citizens. Smart and digital, these cards are federally distributed and carry user data on a chip. So, here in this post, we answer its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), how to apply to get National ID Cards in 2024, and many more. But before that, let’s start with how the government issues these digital cards.

The government announced the plan for National ID cards with biometric security in its 066/67 budget speech that the citizens could use to go to an election. Later on 2067/04/01, the government set up a National ID Management Center with central authority under the Home Ministry. Later, it merged with the Civil Registration Department. Now, the National ID card project proceeds under the Department of National ID and Civil Registration.

In another development, the government has necessitated citizens to produce a National Identity Card to buy a new SIM card. This new policy comes into effective from Magh 01, 2081.

Note that once fully implemented, these cards will replace citizenship and serve as a one-all for all the public services in the country. However, many are still curious about the necessity, uses, and benefits as citizenship still remains central to public services. In it, it calls for an in-depth look into several questions people are asking about these cards.

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When did the National ID Card Project Start in Nepal?

The government kick-started the National ID project in Nepal with a successful experiment in 2075/76 by issuing it to the citizens of Panchthar and the employees from Singh Durbar offices.

Bhagwati Devi Bhandari of 101 of Panchthar was the first to receive the National ID card from the then Minister of Home Affairs, Hon’ble Ram Bahadur Thapa. Now, the government plans on issuing these cards to all eligible citizens in 3 phases. Let’s learn more about National IDs in detail below.

Now, let’s cut to the chase and bring to you Frequently Asked Questions about National ID cards and answers to them.

What Are National ID Cards?

National ID Cards are digital cards that hold a bearer’s personal and biometric data on a chip. These are federally distributed and will be central to citizens’ authentication and public services in the future.

How Will They Be Useful?

Once all the citizens receive these cards, they will be useful for all the public services a citizen receives. For eg.,

• These cards carry details relating to birth, date, migration, marriage, divorce, etc.
• Be useful in verifying social security benefits
• Store citizens’ details and integrate them for public existing and future services offered by the government.

What Details Do the National IDs Store?

A National ID carries essential information of a bearer for authentication. This includes personal details such as:

• Name, Surname,
• Date of Birth (DoB), Caste, Sex,
• Name of Father and Mother,
• Type of Citizenship,
• Name of Husband, Wife, Grandfather, etc.  

Likewise, it also stores one’s biometric details like:

• The fingerprint of ten fingers
• Iris (Eye)

Besides, it carries other characteristics such as:

• A unique identity number
• Photo
• Nationality
• Signature
• A chip

Who is eligible for the National Identity Card?

To systematically issue these smart cards, the government has formulated various strategic action plans. Such as the Strategic Action Plan for National Identity Scheme, 2075, and another action plan to collect details of people with citizenship. That means, to obtain a National ID card in Nepal, a citizen must carry Nepali citizenship.

Besides, the candidate must be at least 16 years of age and must apply to the administration or the officer as prescribed by the DoNIDCR. While doing so, the candidate must submit the fingerprint of 10 fingerprints, a digital photo, a digital signature, and other personal and biometric details.

What are the requirements for a National ID Card?

You will need the documents below to get your National ID Card:

• Full Certificate of Nepali Citizenship
• Full certificate of migration in case of migration (if the address is different from the permanent address mentioned in the citizenship)
• In the case of marriage, if the name of the husband or wife is disclosed in the citizenship, the same certificate, otherwise, marriage registration, proof of marriage / complete certificate of proof of relationship.
• In case the date of birth is not disclosed in the citizenship certificate, official proof of the date of birth (birth registration, educational certificate, passport, pension lease)
• Other documents confirming details

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What Are The Benefits Of National ID Card?

As we mentioned above, National ID cards stress providing citizens with public services and bring a host of benefits to the cardholders. These include:

• The cards serve as a national ID
• Work as a voter’s ID.
• As a medium to receive all public services
• For social security benefits
• To ensure the safety of a citizen

Where do we get National IDs from?

Currently, government agencies are collecting individual data from eligible citizens for National IDs. Once, these cards are prepared, they are issued from the District Administration Office (CDO) of the concerned district or from the venues as designated by the DoNIDCR.

What is The Chip On These Cards?

The National IDs are digital cards that have a chip containing an individual’s personal and biometric details hence “smart”. Aside from containing vital personal and biometric details, the chip also contains the individual’s PAN, Driving License, and other information.

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How Secure Are They?

National ID cards are as secure as they can be. They come with a chip and the data are securely stored at the government servers. Only in emergency conditions, can agencies check into your personal details if allowed by the law.

Can You Get a NID Copy If You Lose It?

Yes, there is a provision that allows you to get a copy of your National ID if you lose it or become useless for some reason. For this, you must visit a concerned local body seeking a recommendation for a copy of your National ID card. Once the officer verifies it, you will be eligible to receive a copy of your card from the District Administration.

What is The National ID Number?

It is one of the most asked questions. The National ID number is the unique sequence of numbers specific to each National ID card. When you receive your card, you get a unique code that will correspond with your card. It is also called an Individual Unique Number.

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What Happens to the Citizenship after the National ID Card?

It is certain that National ID Cards will override citizenship cards one day. But for now, both are constitutionally approved and carry significance of their own. They will both serve their own benefits till the government decides to act otherwise.

Rules for photo revoked

On 2081 Ashoj 15, the Nepal government revoked the decision that required citizens to mandatorily remove ornaments, Nepali traditional caps (Dhaka Topi), etc. while taking photos for the National Identity card. The decision follows criticism from the public that the rule was detrimental to preserving the uniqueness of the Nepali identity.

From now on, Nepali citizens may choose to wear Nepali Dhaka topi, tika, or ornaments that reflect unique Nepali traditions. It has also been ruled that citizens of a different district can also apply for the National ID card.

How to apply for National ID Card online in Nepal?

You need to follow the steps below to apply for your National ID card online in Nepal:

• Visit this link for the NID Pre-Enrollment System.
• Click on Login For Individuals.
• Enter your mobile number.
• You will receive an OTP on the same mobile number.
• Enter the OTP, and click on New Enrollment.
• Fill out the online form with your personal details such as your First, Middle, and Last name, Date of Birth, Type of Citizenship, Citizenship number, Gender, etc. Fields with asterisk mandatorily require data.
• Click on Next and then on Ok.
• Now, fill out your Contact Details such as your province, district, ward number, etc. If both your permanent and temporary addresses are the same, click on “Copy Permanent Address…“.
• Click on Next and enter your Family Details such as your father’s name, mother’s name, permanent address, and spouse’s details if applicable. Click on Next.
• Now, you come to the Appointment tab. Choose province, district, local level, ward no., and location for submitting biometrics, and you get the nearest date for the appointment. Enter province, district, local level, and location for biometrics. For biometrics, you need to choose District Administration Office (DAO), and in Biometric Location, choose District Administration Office (DAO).
• Click Next, You now see the preview. Check all the information then Submit and download the PDF which stands as proof of your online registration. Take the PDF to the DAO office and submit your form. You will get a date for your biometrics. Remember that you need to carry your citizenship on your physical visit. During your biometrics, your fingerprint of ten fingers, face, and iris are scanned and recorded. You then get a document with a unique National ID Card number, your photo, and other details. You also get a message telling you that your application for NID has been approved. When the card is printed, you get a message with your number. Then, you can collect your National Identity Card.

If you don’t get any location while filling out the detail in the Biometric tab, you get a pop-up saying Can Not Continue. In such a case, choose District Administration Office not the local government. and for location, again choose District Administration Office and proceed

Link to apply for a National ID Card in Nepal

You can apply online for pre-enrollment of your National ID card from nidmc.gov.np/PreEnrollment. For that, you need to input your mobile contact on which you will receive an OTP code. Once you insert it, you can fill up the form and visit your designated office for further procedures.

How to Get National ID Card Number via SMS

The government has made National ID cards mandatory for e-passports and the government is likely to tag them to multiple other services in the coming days. And if you have registered yourself for the National ID Card, you may probably have your unique ID number. In case you have not, you can get it easily via an SMS.

To get your National ID Card unique number via SMS, you need to follow the steps below:

• Launch the Messaging app on your phone
• Type N <space> 16-digit application number.
• Send to 30001.

To illustrate, if your application number is 1234567890000000, then you have to type N 1234567890000000 and send it to 30001.

If you don’t get a message, you can contact 9851316034/35. You can also call at 9847346412 or 01-4200014 for more information. Or you can opt to call at the call center 01-5970449 to solve your NID Card issue

After this, you will receive a message containing your unique National ID number. If you still do not get it, you can contact the Depart over WhatsApp with different contacts for different provinces. If you live in Bagmati, or Gandaki province, 9851316034, for Lumbini, Karnali, and Far-West contact 9851316035. Remember that you need to send a screenshot of your confirmation page, voucher, and message response to your corresponding WhatsApp contact for further processing.

National ID Card Registration in Nepal (NID) Frequently Asked Questions FAQs

These are the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about National ID cards. If you have more to learn about it, do leave a comment below.