Obtaing National Identity Card for the first time
Basic requirements to be met to apply for a National Identity Card.
Every person who is a citizen of Sri Lanka and who has attained or attains the age of 15 years shall apply for a National Identity card.
Submitting an application.
| Applicant | Application Certifying officer |
| 1. School Applicants, | Principal or Parivenadhipathi |
| 2. Applicants who have fulfilled the above basic requirements, | Grama Niladhari of the area of residence. (Counter signature of the Divisional Secretary is mandatory) |
| 3. Estate residents who have fulfilled the above basic qualifications, | Estate Superintendent |
As mentioned above, it is mandatory for every applicant to forward the application for the National Identity card through the relevant certifying officer.
Levy of Fees / Fines
| 1 | Fee for issuance of National Identity card for the first time ( Notice on revision of fees charged) | Rs.200.00 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Fee for sending National Identity card by registered post under normal service. | Rs.120.00 |
| 3 | Penalty fee for an applicant who does not apply for National Identity card within one year from the date of attaining 15 years of age. | Rs.2500.00 |
| 4 | Penalty fee for an applicant who has not obtained National Identity card within 06 months from the date of issue of the dual citizenship certificate under Section 19(2) of Citizenship Act. | Rs.2500.00 |
The aforesaid fees can be paid through the certifying officers certifying the application, and the fines should be paid to Shroff of the relevant Divisional Secretariat.
Documents to be submitted along with the application
- Duly completed application (Form D.R.P/1,7,8)
- Birth certificate or extract of the birth registry certified by the Additional District Registrar.
- ICAO standard photograph obtained within 06 month period.
- Receipt of payment of application fee.
- If birth certificate is not available, probable age certificate or results of search of registers has to be submitted along with a document as proof or name and date of birth. (Birth certificate of a child/School leaving certificate of the applicant/ Estate leaving certificate of the applicant/ certified copy of the applicant’s horoscope/ marriage certificate of the applicant/ citizenship certificate of the applicant / Document issued by the principal, certifying the Applicant’s date of birth)
- In case of a person born abroad to a Sri Lankan mother or a father, Citizenship certificate issued by the Department of Immigration and Emigration to prove that Sri Lankan citizenship has been obtained.( specimen of a citizenship certificate)
- Dual citizenship certificate in case of dual citizenship (specimen of a dual citizenship certificate)
- For clergy, the following documents should also be submitted. For a Buddhist monk, Samanera certificate or Upasampada certificate issued by the Department of Buddhist Affairs,
- If an applicant has not applied for registration within the prescribed period; Duly filled application form (Form D.R.P/OP/02/03)
- Marriage certificate attested by Additional District Registrar if applying for husband's name or surname
For priests of other religions, certificates issued by the relevant departments to prove the clergy ship of other religions,
Certificates of reclining of clergyship issued by relevant departments,
Receipt of payment of prescribed fines
Issuance of National Identity Cards
| Normal Service | National ID cards will be issued to the applicant by post after the applications submitted through the Principal or the Parivenadhipathi are forwarded to the department or the relevant provincial offices. | |
|---|---|---|
| In the case of applications forwarded through the Grama Niladhari, the National Identity Card will be issued to the applicant by post after the application and related documents are forwarded to the Department's system by the ID card Division of the respective District Secretariats. | ||
| Oneday Service | Applicants who wish to obtain the National Identity cards under one day service can avail the service by visiting the Head Office in Battaramulla or Galle Provincial office with the completed application. | |
| For details of Oneday Service.. | ||
Obtaining a new National Identity card for a lost National Identity card
A person who has lost his National Identity card should immediately report to the nearest police station and should apply for a new National Identity card in place of the lost National Identity card without delay.
Submitting an application.
| Applicant | Application Certifying officer |
| 1. In case of an estate resident whose National Identity card has been lost | Estate Superintendent |
| 2. In case of any applicant who is not an estate resident whose National Identity card has been lost, | Through Grama Niladhari (Counter signature of the Divisional Secretary is mandatory) |
It is mandatory for every applicant to forward the application through the relevant certifying officer.
Levy of Fees / Fines
| 1 | Fee for issuance of a new National Identity card in place of a lost National Identity card. (Notice on revision of fees charged) . | Rs.1000.00 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Fee for sending National Identity card by registered post under normal service. | Rs.120.00 |
The aforesaid fees can be paid through the certifying officers certifying the application.
Documents to be submitted
- Duly completed application (Form D.R.P/1,7,8)
- Original copy of the police complaint
- Birth certificate or extract of the birth registry certified by the Additional District Registrar
- ICAO standard photograph obtained within 06 month period.
- Receipt of payment of application fee.
- If birth certificate is not available, probable age certificate or results of search of registers has to be submitted along with a document as proof or name and date of birth (Birth certificate of a child/School leaving certificate of the applicant/ Estate leaving certificate of the applicant/ certified copy of the applicant’s horoscope/ marriage certificate of the applicant/ citizenship certificate of the applicant / Document issued by the principal, certifying the Applicant’s date of birth)
- For applicants above the age of 40 years who do not have birth certificate or the probable age certificate, a formal affidavit to prove name and date of birth and a recognized written evidence to prove name and date of birth (Birth certificate of a child/School leaving certificate of the applicant/ Estate leaving certificate of the applicant/Applicant’s Elders Identity card / Certificate of baptism of the applicant) along with the results of search of registers issued by the Additional District Registrar.
- In case of a person born abroad to a Sri Lankan mother or a father, Citizenship certificate issued by the Department of Immigration and Emigration to prove that Sri Lankan citizenship has beenobtained.
- Dual citizenship certificate in case of dual citizenship
- For clergy, the following documents should also be submitted. For a Buddhist monk, Samanera certificate or Upasampada certificate issued by the Department of Buddhist Affairs,
- Marriage certificate attested by Additional District Registrar if applying for husband's name or surname
- If there are no records of the National Identity Card number used by the applicant in the Department's database, a written proof of the use of the National Identity Card.
For priests of other religions, certificates issued by the relevant departments to prove the clergy ship of other religions,
Certificates of reclining of clergy ship issued by relevant departments,
Issuance of National Identity Cards
| Normal Service | In the case of applications forwarded through the Grama Niladhari, the National Identity Card will be issued to the applicant by post after the application and related documents are forwarded to the Department's system by the ID card Division of the respective District Secretariats. | |
|---|---|---|
| Oneday Service | Applicants who wish to obtain National Identity cards under one day service can obtain the service by visiting the Head Office in Battaramulla or Galle Provincial office with the completed application. | |
Amending National Identity card
Circumstances in which the National Identity card should be amended
In the event that a National Identity card is damaged or information on it has been deleted or is illegible or the information mentioned is about to become illegible or information on the Identity card has changed or realizing that the identity card contains incorrect information, should apply for an amendment of National Identity card immediately.
Submitting an application.
| Applicant | Application certifying officer |
| 1. In case of an estate resident who requires to amend the National Identity card | Estate Superintendent |
| 2. In case of any non estate resident applicant who requires amending the National Identity card. | Grama Niladhari of the area of residence (Counter signature of the Divisional Secretary is mandatory) |
It is mandatory for every applicant to forward the application through the relevant certifying officer.
Levy of Fees
| 1. Fee for issuance of amended National Identity card (Notice on revision of fees charged) | Rs.500.00 |
| 2. Fee for sending National Identity card by registered post under normal service. | Rs.120.00 |
The aforesaid fees can be paid through the certifying officers certifying the application.
Documents to be submitted
- Duly completed application (Form D.R.P/1,7,8)
- Previously used National Identity card
- Birth certificate or extract of the birth registry certified by the Additional District Registrar
- ICAO standard photograph obtained within 06 month period.
- Receipt of payment of application fee.
- If birth certificate is not available, probable age certificate or results of search of registers has to be submitted along with a document as proof or name and date of birth. (Birth certificate of a child/School leaving certificate of the applicant/ Estate leaving certificate of the applicant/ certified copy of the applicant’s horoscope/ marriage certificate of the applicant/ citizenship certificate of the applicant / Document issued by the principal, certifying the Applicant’s date of birth)
- For applicants above the age of 40 years who do not have birth certificate or the probable age certificate, a formal affidavit to prove name and date of birth and a recognized written evidence to prove name and date of birth (Birth certificate of a child/School leaving certificate of the applicant/ Estate leaving certificate of the applicant/Applicant’s Elders Identity card / Certificate of baptism of the applicant) along with the results of a(delete) search of registers issued by the Additional District Registrar.
- In case of a person born abroad to a Sri Lankan mother or a father, Citizenship certificate issued by the Department of Immigration and Emigration to prove that Sri Lankan citizenship has been obtained.
- Dual citizenship certificate in case of dual citizenship
- For clergy, the following documents should also be submitted. For a Buddhist monk, Samanera certificate or Upasampada certificate issued by the Department of Buddhist Affairs,
- Marriage certificate attested by Additional District Registrar if applying for husband's name or surname
For priests of other religions, certificates issued by the relevant departments to prove the clergy ship of other religions,
Certificates of reclining of clergy ship issued by relevant departments,
Issuance of National Identity Cards
| Normal Service | In the case of applications forwarded through the Grama Niladhari, the National Identity Card will be issued to the applicant by post after the application and related documents are forwarded to the Department's system by the ID card Division of the respective District Secretariats. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Oneday Service | Applicants who wish to obtain National Identity cards under one day service can visit the Head Office in Battaramulla or Galle Provincial office with the completed applications and obtain the service. | ||
Issuance of National Identity Cards for Dual Citizens
Dual Citizenship under Section 19(2) of Citizenship Act No.19 of 1948
The previous National Identity card numbers should be cancelled of persons who have obtained dual citizenship under Section 19(2), as their citizenship has been revoked and they have reacquired Sri Lankan citizenship. At this point, the previous National Identity card number will be cancelled and a new National Identity card number will be generated and the Department will also issue a letter confirming the change of number.
Dual Citizenship under Section 19(3) of Citizenship Act No 19 of 1948
As there is no revocation of citizenship in cases where citizenship has been obtained under Section 19(3), if there is an old National Identity card number that number remains unchanged and the same number can be reacquired.
Documents to be submitted by Dual citizens (19(2)
- Duly completed application form (D.R.P/1,7,8 form)
- Original or a certified copy of the dual citizenship certificate.
- Document to be submitted for handing over the National Identity card to the Registration of Persons Division of the Divisional Secretariat.
- If the period between date of obtaining dual citizenship and the date of applying for the National Identity card has exceeded 06 months, a declaration that a National Identity card has not been obtained within the prescribed period and that no application has made for the same. (Download the form)
Fees Charged for Issuance of National Identity cards for dual citizens (19(2)
| 1.Fees charged for issuance of National Identity cards to dual citizens (19(2) | Rs. 200.00 | |
| 2.Fee for sending National Identity card by registered post under normal service. | Rs. 120.00 | |
| 3. If the period between date of obtaining dual citizenship and the date of applying for the National Identity card has exceeded 06 months | Rs.2500.00 |
The aforesaid fees can be paid through the certifying officers certifying the application, and the fines should be paid to Shroff of the relevant Divisional Secretariat.
Documents to be submitted by Dual Citizens applying for a National Identity cards under Section 19(3) of Citizenship act No 19 of 1948
In addition to the documents mentioned under 19(2) above,- In case of an amendment of identity card, the previous National Identity Card, if not a police report that the National Identity Card is missing.
- If a person above the age of 15 years is applying for a National Identity card for the first time, a declaration to be made that a National Identity card has not been obtained within the prescribed period and that no application has made for the same (D.R.P/OP/02/3).
- The name mentioned in the Dual Citizenship certificate submitted is given..
- If a name different from the name mentioned in the dual citizenship certificate is requested, the name in the dual citizenship certificate should be amended and submitted as per the request.
- In both the above cases, if the name mentioned in the dual citizenship certificate is different from the name mentioned in the birth certificate, the birth certificate should be amended accordingly and submitted.
- Father’s name/surname along with applicant’s name can be given on request when father’s name/surname is mentioned in the dual citizenship certificate.
- Husband’s name/surname can be given if requested by submitting the marriage certificate,along with the name mentioned in the dual citizenship certificate.
Persons who are dual citizens of Sri Lanka who have obtained citizenship under Sections 19(2) and 19(3)of Citizenship Act No 19 of 1948 can use the address of a close relative/ close friend in case if they are unable to prove their permanent residence in order to obtain the National Identity card, and the address must be confirmed by form D.R.P./OP/01/04 and apply for the National Identity card.
Obtaining National Identity card under One Day Service
Under the One day service, National Identity cards are issued for people who need to obtain the National Identity cards urgently.
One day service is available at the Head Office of the Department of Registration of Persons and at the Galle Provincial office..
Applicants can obtain this service by visiting Terminal D on the 9th floor of the Head Office between 7.30 am to 12.30 pm.
Levy of Fees/Fines
| 1 | One day service fee | Rs.2000/- |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Fee for issuance of National Identity card for the first time | Rs.200/- |
| 3 | Obtaining an amended National Identity card | Rs.500/- |
| 4 | Obtaining a new National Identity card for a lost National Identity card | Rs.1000/- |
| 5 | Penalty to be paid by an applicant who has not applied for a National Identity card within one year from the date of attaining 15 years of age | Rs.2500/- |
| 6 | Under Section 19(2) of the Citizenship Act, penalty for an applicant who does not obtain a National Identity card within six months from the date of issue of the Dual Citizenship certificate. | Rs.2500/- |
The above fees and fines have to be paid to the shroff at the one day service.
Documents to be submitted along with the application
Obtaining National Identity card for the first time
Obtaining an amended National Identity card
Obtaining a new National Identity card for a lost National Identity card
Issuance of National Identity cards for dual citizens
An application can be submitted by meeting the Grama Niladhari with the documents required for each of the above cases.
It is mandatory for the applicant to bring “originals” of the above mentioned documents when attending the One day Service.