Can I obtain an identity card?

If you have completed 15 years of age and if you are a Sri Lankan citizen you can obtain an identity card

When should I amend my identity card?

• When you need to amend your name, address or any other personal information given in the identity card.
• When your current appearance is different from the photograph in the identity card
• When your identity card is defaced after using it for a long time
• When a part of your identity card is damaged

What are the documents I should submit for an amendment?

• A duly completed application පු.ලි.දෙ/වි/1.7.8
• A certified copy of the birth certificate (The photostat of the birth certificate should be signed by the Divisional Secretary or any officer designated by the Divisional Secretary)
• ICAO photograph obtained during the last six months.
• In the case of Buddhist priests, a certified photocopy of the samanera certificate or upasampada certificate issued by the Department of Buddhist Affairs.
• In the case of Sil mathas a certificate or a document testified by the Department of Buddhist Affairs.
• In the case of other clergy - certificate or documents testified by the respective religious Department.
• In the case of a de-robed person, a certificate issued by the Department of Buddhist affairs to the effect.
• A certified photocopy of the marriage certificate to enter the surname of the husband

How can I obtain a new identity card in place of a lost identity card?

• Make an entry in the closest police station immediately after realizing that the identity card is lost and obtain the original copy of the complaint.
• Attach ICAO photograph and a certified copy of the Birth Certificate

N.B : If any of those who obtain duplicates for lost identity cards, later found or recovered the lost identity card, they should immediately submitted such identity cards to the Commissioner General.

How to obtain an application from an identity card?

• From the Grama Niladhari of the Division
• From the estate Superintendent in the case of estate
• From the Principal for students
• From the head office of the Department for Registrations of Persons
• From the Provincial offices of the Department for Registrations of Persons
• From all Divisional Secretariats
• From all District Secretariats
• From the web site, www.drp.gov.lk

To whom the application for identity cards should be handed over?

• Application should be handed over to the Grama Niladhari of the area where the applicant is living, Superintendent of the estates where the applicant is living, to the Principal of the school in the case of students for certification.
• Certified applications can be handed over to the Head Office of the Department for Registrations of Persons or its provincial offices.
• For one day service, applications certified by Grama Niladhari and countersigned by Divisional Secretary can be handed over to the Head Office of the Department for Registrations of Persons (Originals of certification should be submitted for one day service)

Are the first-timer applications or the applications for amendments or for a duplicate of a lost identity card different from each other?

• No. Application form is පු.ලි.දෙ/වි/1.7.8

The relevant application form for the intended category is decided by the certifying officers through the QR Code.

Is the original of the birth certificate compulsory?

• If you are below 40 years of age or if you do not have a birth certificate, obtain a probable age certificate from the Additional District Registrar.
• If you are above 40 year of age but you do not possess a birth certificate, submit a Nil Result Certificate to the DRP with at least one of the following documents along with an affidavit indicating the date of birth year and using.
• School leaving certificate
• Certificate of baptism
• Birth certificates of your children
• Citizenship certificate
• Certified copy of the passport
• A copy of an acceptable horoscope
• Nil result certificate and an affidavit in accordance with the circular DRP/OP/01/DS/03 (vol.ii) of 06.01.2016 for applicants who do not have the birth certificate or any other document mentioned above, but registered as voters.

How to apply for one day service? What is the fee charged?

• First time application for an identity card or application for an amendment to the identity card or for a duplicate of a lost identity card should be duly completed according to your requirement along with the relevant documents and certified by the Grama Niladari and Divisional Secretary and handed over to the DRP paying a fee of Rs. 1000.00.

Can I obtain an identity card if my name does not appear in the Electoral Register?

Yes you can. Registration in the Electoral Register is not mandatory to obtain an identity card. Such registration in an added substantiation to prove your identity. 

Can a person, who is not a permanent resident, obtain an identity card? How?

You can forward an application through the Grama Niladhari.

Can a person living abroad obtain an identity card?

No. Application should be submitted after returning to the Island

Can an identity card be translated to a foreign language? What steps should be taken in this regard?

You can come to the Operations Division and you can obtain an English translation after paying a fee of Rs. 1000.00.

How can a dual citizenship holder obtain an identity card?

An application in the form පු.ලි.දෙ/වි/1,7,8 should be submitted by a person who has obtained dual citizenship under Section 19(2) of the Citizenship Act. If such person has obtained an identity card already, he/she should surrender it to the Commissioner General and obtain a receipt. He/she should submit an application and obtain a new identity card number in the like manner that a first- timer obtains an identity card. A person whose Sri Lankan citizenship is not cancelled and living in another country with permanent visa and has obtained dual citizenship and has obtained an identity card earlier an application in the form පු.ලි.දෙ/වි/1,7,8 should be submitted after getting the existing identity card testified.

Born abroad to Sri Lankan parents, can I obtain a NIC? What steps that I should take?

You can obtain an identity card. The birth of the child should be registered after submitting the application through the overseas mission of the country where the birth occurred or by forwarding the application directly to the Citizenship Division of the DIE under Section 5(2) of the Citizenship Act no 18 of 1948. Such child will own Sri Lankan citizenship until he passes the age of 21 years and reaches the age 22. (There is nothing to prevent such child having citizenship in the relevant foreign country). When the person reaches the age of 16 years an application can be made to the Department with the certificate issued under Section 5(2) of the Citizenship Act and the birth certificate issued by the Registrar General’s Department and obtain an identity card.
NB: If the persons completing 21 years of the age hold only the Sri Lankan citizenship and not the citizenship in the foreign country in there 22nd year it is compulsory that they should inform the Citizenship Division of the DIE and obtain and submit an endorsement on the reverse side of the certificate issued under Section 5 (2) of the Citizenship Act that such persons continues to hold the Sri Lankan citizenship.

Can anybody check the Identity Card? When should an Identity card be produced? Can anybody refuse to produce the Identity Card?

Following are the officers who can ask for the Identity Card for examination and retain by the Orders in the Extraordinary gazette No 1380/17 of March 29,2005 published under Section 15 of the Registration of Persons Act.

• District Secretary
• Additional District Secretary
• Divisional Secretary
• Grama Niladhari
• Commissioner General of Labor
• Commissioner of Labor
• Assistant Commissioner of Labor/ Labor officer
• Any member of the Armed Forces under Section 7(A)2 of the Immigration and Emigration Act
• Any authorized officers appointed under Section 4(1) of the Immigration and Emigration Act
• Police officers of all ranks
• Investigation officers of the Post and Telecommunication Department

Other than the above mentioned officers it is illegal for any officer or person to ask for the identity card for inspection. Checking and retaining an identity card is illegal. You can refuse to show your identity card to such person. According to the provision of the above Act it is compulsory that you produce the identity card to any authorized officer. However you are allowed to show your identity card at your discretion when you have to prove your identity in getting any service.

Some private organizations use to retain the identity cards as security when any goods or services offered. Can the identity card be kept with another person or an institution?

It is not legal to offer the identity card as security for any goods or services. However any person can prove his/her identity producing the identity card when he requires any service from any institution.

Can the identity card be alienated?