Do you know about the National ID Card (NID)? It’s commonly known as “Rastriya Parichaya Patra”, supposedly introduced to replace your citizenship. For which you might have already filled up all the details and given your biometrics data as well. But the question is, have you gotten the physical card yet? Like me, almost everyone is waiting for that thing but seems like our wait is not gonna be over soon with the slow-paced distribution. While some of you might be scratching your head, being totally unaware of the National ID Card. So, here in this article, I’m gonna get you through all the information regarding the National ID Card Nepal (NID) and its present status.
National ID Card Nepal (NID) Overview:
What is National ID Card (NID) or Rastriya Parichaya Patra?
National ID Card is a federal-level identity card with a chip that can store personal data alongside the biometrics of a citizen. So, it contains the name, birth date, mother’s name, father’s name, and National Identity Number (NIN) with iris and 10-finger biometrics. It is a secured form of document that cannot be duplicated or altered easily, unlike citizenship cards.
When did the NID project start?
It all began in 2075/76 when the government of Nepal started the National ID Card Project. The first ones to get this card were the citizens of Panchthar and some employees of the Singha Durbar. The data was collected by the National ID Card Management Centre (NIDMC), under the Home Ministry. Which is now replaced by the Department of National ID and Civil Registration (DONIDCR). A quick trivia, Bhagwati Prasad Pandey was the first person to get the National Identity Card in Nepal.
Data collection via ward
To speed up the process, the Department of National ID and Civil Registration (DONIDCR) commenced the collection of biometrics and data through ward offices in the Kathmandu Valley in 2022 for the local residents. Although the data collection process has moved to other districts of the country, the status is quite very slow. Although some have already received their physical hard copy of the National ID Card, there is still a large proportion of people who haven’t received a hard copy of their National ID card.
What are the documents required for a National ID Card (NID)?
Here is the list of documents you need to apply for the NID:
- Original citizenship of Nepal.
- Original Certificate of Migration, if you have migrated from one place to another.
- Original Marriage Certificate (If the person is already married but the husband/wife’s name is not mentioned in the citizenship).
- Original passport, if you have already taken one.
How to get a Rastriya Parichaya Patra or National ID Card in Nepal?
- You can apply through the online portal of the DONIDCR and fill up the details.
- Click the “Login for Individuals” option and input your mobile number. Make sure the SIM is registered in your name.
- Then, fill up all your contact and family details. Please, do double check as correcting anything later in a government paper will be a big hassle in Nepal.
- After checking everything, you can select the place for a biometrics appointment. If no place is shown, you can click “Others” and proceed to submit the form.
- Then, you can visit the District Administration Office (DAO) with the required documents.
- Nonpermanent residents of Kathmandu Valley can go to Narayanhiti Durbar Museum premises for the Biometrics verification.
- Permanent residents of Kathmandu Metropolitan City can visit Rastriya Sabha Griha.
How to apply for a National ID Card offline?
If the online processing is not for you or someone you know, you can directly visit the District Administration Office (DAO) of your district. If you are in Kathmandu, as aforementioned, you can visit Narayanhiti Durbar Museum (for nonlocals) and Rastriya Sabha Griha (for local residents).
- Also Read:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on National ID Card
What’s the legal age for getting a National ID Card?
One must be 18 years and above in order to be eligible to get a National ID Card in Nepal.
How to get a National Identity Number (NIN)?
After you have applied for the NID, you’ll be given a paper containing all your details. Note down the 16-digit application number from the top and then, type N <space> 16-digit application number and send it to 30001. If done, you’ll get an SMS reply from DONIDCR with your NIN.
Is it mandatory to get NIN in order to obtain an e-passport?
Yes, the government of Nepal has made the National Identity Number (NIN) compulsory in order to obtain an e-passport in Nepal.
Can a newborn baby get a National ID Number (NIN)?
DONIDCR has made a provision to issue birth certificates with National ID Number (NIN). So, anyone who’s younger than 16 years old is subject to receive a birth certificate with NIN.
Will NID / Rastriya Parichaya Patra replace the citizenship card?
National ID Card is said to replace the citizenship card in the near future.
Do I need NID if I already have a citizenship card?
Obtaining a NID will be made mandatory and it will bear all your personal details. The government is also planning a Centralized KYC via this card, so you’ll need a National ID Card.
When will I get my National ID Card / Rastriya Parichaya Patra?
As of now, the government of Nepal is still in the process of printing and it is uncertain the exact timing. However, DoNIDCR will send you a text as soon as your card is ready.
How to check your NID printing status?
You can check your NID printing status by typing S <space> 16-digit application number and sending it to 30001. Do note that the system is pretty unreliable and you might get an “Error While Retrieving Your Data” message. You can also check this via the Citizen Portal of DONIDCR which is again currently under maintenance as writing time of this article.
National ID Card (NID) Status Nepal: Conclusion
The National ID Card distribution is going in a very slow-paced way. The government has no solid answer regarding when everyone will get a physical copy. So for now, getting the National ID Number (NIN) becomes an important thing as it’s been made mandatory for e-passport. Once the distribution gets spread nationwide, the NID’s prospects will flourish due to its smart capabilities such as digitally storing biometrics and other data. Moreover, a centralized KYC will make it easier to open bank accounts without the hassle of providing documents each time you open a new bank account.
Till then, we’ll continue to update this article with more news and info coming in.
