The National ID card in Nepal (राष्ट्रिय परिचयपत्र / Rastriya Parichaya Patra) is a government-issued biometric smart card containing a unique National Identity Number (NIN) assigned to every Nepali citizen aged 16 and above. The NID is issued by the Department of National ID and Civil Registration (DoNIDCR) under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is governed by the National Identity Card and Civil Registration Act, 2076 (2019). As of 2025, over 17 million citizens have enrolled, and the NID is now mandatory for obtaining an e-passport, opening bank accounts, purchasing SIM cards, and accessing government services.
| National ID Card Nepal — Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Official name | National Identity Card (राष्ट्रिय परिचयपत्र / Rastriya Parichaya Patra) |
| Issuing authority | Department of National ID and Civil Registration (DoNIDCR), Ministry of Home Affairs |
| Governing law | National Identity Card and Civil Registration Act, 2076 (2019) |
| Eligibility | Nepali citizens aged 16+ with a citizenship certificate |
| Cost | Free (first card). NPR 500 for replacement. |
| Unique identifier | National Identity Number (NIN) — unique to each citizen |
| Biometric data | Fingerprints (all 10), iris scan, photo, digital signature |
| Online portal | enrollment.donidcr.gov.np |
| Status check | citizenportal.donidcr.gov.np |
| Enrolled (as of 2025) | 17+ million citizens |
The National ID card in Nepal (Rastriya Parichaya Patra) is a biometric smart card issued by the Department of National ID and Civil Registration (DoNIDCR) under the NID Act 2076. Registration is free, done online at enrollment.donidcr.gov.np followed by biometric enrollment at a District Administration Office. The NID is mandatory for e-passport, bank accounts, SIM cards, and government services.
According to the Department of National ID and Civil Registration (DoNIDCR), the National Identity Card is a smart card embedded with a microchip that stores the cardholder's personal, demographic, and biometric data. Each card contains a unique National Identity Number (NIN) that serves as the citizen's primary identification across all government and private sector systems. The NID is designed to eventually replace the traditional paper-based citizenship certificate as Nepal's unified identification document.
| Data Stored on NID Card | Details |
|---|---|
| National Identity Number (NIN) | Unique number assigned to each citizen |
| Full name | In Nepali and English |
| Date of birth | BS and AD |
| Gender | Male / Female / Other |
| Photograph | Digital photo captured during biometric enrollment |
| Fingerprints | All 10 fingers |
| Iris scan | Both eyes |
| Digital signature | Captured at enrollment center |
| Permanent address | District, municipality, ward |
| Citizenship number | Linked to existing citizenship certificate |
| Father's and mother's name | As per citizenship certificate |
| Law / Regulation | Key Provision |
|---|---|
| National Identity Card and Civil Registration Act, 2076 (2019) | Primary legislation establishing the NID system. Mandates registration for all eligible citizens. Defines DoNIDCR's authority. |
| National Identity Card and Civil Registration Rules, 2077 (2020) | Detailed procedures for enrollment, biometric capture, card issuance, replacement, and data correction. |
| Individual Privacy Act, 2075 (2018) | Protects personal data collected during NID enrollment. Governs data storage, access, and sharing. |
| Individual Privacy Regulation, 2077 (2020) | Implementing rules for privacy protections in biometric data collection. |
| Constitution of Nepal, 2015 | Article 28 guarantees the right to privacy and protection of personal information. |
| Passport Act, 2024 (as amended) | NIN is mandatory for e-passport applications. |
In January 2025, the Supreme Court of Nepal dismissed writ petitions challenging the mandatory nature of NID enrollment, clearing the way for full implementation. NID enrollment is now legally required to access public services including social security allowances, banking, SIM registration, and passport issuance.
| Category | Eligibility | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nepali citizens aged 16+ | Must hold a valid citizenship certificate | ✅ Active — mandatory enrollment |
| Nepali citizens aged 18+ | Full NID card issued | ✅ Active — card issuance underway |
| Minors (under 16) | NIN assigned at birth registration (since mid-2024) | ✅ NIN assigned, physical card issued after age 16 |
| Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) | Planned for future phase | ⏳ Not yet available |
| Foreign nationals residing in Nepal | Planned for future phase | ⏳ Not yet available |
NID registration involves both online pre-enrollment and in-person biometric verification. The online application cannot be completed entirely remotely — a physical visit to an enrollment center is mandatory.
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visit the DoNIDCR portal | Open enrollment.donidcr.gov.np and click "Login for Individual." |
| 2 | Create an account or log in | Register with mobile number and OTP verification. |
| 3 | Click "New Enrollment" | Fill in the application form — fields marked with * are mandatory. |
| 4 | Enter personal details | Full name (Nepali + English), date of birth, gender, citizenship number, permanent and temporary address, father's/mother's name. |
| 5 | Upload documents | Scan and upload citizenship certificate (front and back). |
| 6 | Select enrollment center and appointment date | Choose the nearest District Administration Office (DAO) or designated NID enrollment center. System shows available dates. |
| 7 | Submit and print token slip | After submission, download and print the token slip — you need this at the enrollment center. |
| 8 | Visit enrollment center on appointment date | Bring printed token slip + original citizenship certificate + photocopies + marriage/migration certificate if applicable. |
| 9 | Biometric enrollment | Staff captures: photo, fingerprints (all 10 fingers), iris scan (both eyes), and digital signature. |
| 10 | Receive NIN | Your National Identity Number is assigned after biometric verification. Card is printed and distributed separately (notification via SMS). |
| # | Document | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Printed online enrollment form (token slip) | From enrollment.donidcr.gov.np |
| 2 | Citizenship certificate (original + photocopy) | Mandatory — NID cannot be issued without citizenship |
| 3 | Marriage certificate | Required if married and spouse's name not on citizenship |
| 4 | Migration certificate | Required if permanent address changed from citizenship |
| 5 | Passport (if issued) | For cross-referencing identity |
| 6 | Birth certificate or academic documents | If date of birth not mentioned on citizenship |
Biometric guidelines: Avoid wearing heavy makeup, rings, earrings, hats, or face coverings during the appointment. Both ears and face must be clearly visible for accurate photo capture.
| Location Type | Details |
|---|---|
| District Administration Offices (DAO) | 77 offices across all districts — primary enrollment centers |
| Area Administration Offices | Sub-district offices in some areas |
| Narayanhiti Durbar (Kathmandu) | Special center for non-permanent residents of Kathmandu Valley |
| Special enrollment camps | Organized periodically for civil servants, retirees, remote district citizens |
| Method | How |
|---|---|
| DoNIDCR Citizen Portal | Visit citizenportal.donidcr.gov.np → enter your request number to check card status |
| SMS | Send SMS with your details to check NIN (format announced by DoNIDCR) |
| Nagarik App | Enter your NIN in the Nagarik App to fetch a digital copy of your NID card |
Note: Screenshots are disabled within the Nagarik App for NID display as a security measure.
Following the Supreme Court's January 2025 ruling dismissing challenges to mandatory NID enrollment, the card is now legally required for an expanding list of services:
| Service / Transaction | NID Requirement |
|---|---|
| E-passport application | NIN mandatory — cannot apply without it |
| Opening bank accounts | NID number required as of January 2025 |
| SIM card registration | NID mandatory for new SIM purchases |
| Social security allowances | NID enrollment mandatory to receive allowances |
| Government services | Increasingly required for all government transactions |
| Voter registration | NID linked to electoral rolls |
| Property transactions | Expected to be required at Land Revenue Offices |
| Vehicle registration | Expected to replace citizenship as primary ID |
| Health insurance enrollment | NID required for government health insurance |
| Situation | Action | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Lost or damaged card | Submit replacement application at DAO/Area Administration Office with reason | NPR 500 |
| Error in card details | Submit correction form at DAO. Operator reconfirms, verifying officer approves. | Free (if government error) |
| Name change (after marriage) | Submit application with marriage certificate and updated citizenship at DAO | NPR 500 (new card) |
| Address change (migration) | Submit application with migration certificate at new district DAO | NPR 500 (new card) |
| Feature | Citizenship Certificate | National ID Card (NID) |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Paper-based document | Biometric smart card with microchip |
| Unique number | Citizenship number (varies by district) | National Identity Number (NIN) — centralized, unique nationwide |
| Biometric data | None | Fingerprints, iris scan, photo, digital signature |
| Forgery protection | Low — paper can be duplicated | High — microchip + biometric verification |
| Digital verification | Not possible | Possible — chip can be read electronically |
| Passport application | Accepted but NIN also required | NIN mandatory for e-passport |
| Bank account | Accepted but NID now preferred | Mandatory as of January 2025 |
| Court marriage | Required — NID alone is NOT sufficient | Not sufficient for court marriage registration (citizenship required) |
| Long-term future | Will be phased out | Will become the primary ID document |
The NID has specific implications for divorce and family law matters in Nepal:
| Situation | NID Relevance |
|---|---|
| Court marriage registration | NID alone is NOT sufficient — citizenship certificate is still required in practice for marriage registration at ward offices and courts. |
| Divorce filing | Both citizenship and NID may be required at District Court. NIN is increasingly used for identity verification. |
| Property partition | NIN expected to be required at Land Revenue Office for deed registration alongside PAN. |
| Name change after divorce | If name reverts after divorce, NID must be updated at DAO with court order (NPR 500 replacement fee). |
| NRN divorce filing | NRNs not yet eligible for NID. Continue using citizenship + Power of Attorney for divorce filing from abroad. |
| # | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | NID is a biometric smart card with NIN, issued free by DoNIDCR under the NID Act 2076 |
| 2 | Register online at enrollment.donidcr.gov.np, then visit DAO for biometric enrollment |
| 3 | Documents: citizenship certificate (mandatory), marriage/migration certificate if applicable |
| 4 | NID is mandatory for: e-passport, bank accounts, SIM cards, social security, government services |
| 5 | Supreme Court cleared mandatory NID in January 2025 — no longer optional |
| 6 | NID will replace citizenship certificate long-term, but citizenship is still required for court marriage |
| 7 | Replacement fee: NPR 500. Corrections for government errors are free. |
| 8 | NRNs not yet eligible — future phase planned |
The National ID card (राष्ट्रिय परिचयपत्र / Rastriya Parichaya Patra) is a government-issued biometric smart card containing a unique National Identity Number (NIN), personal details, and biometric data (fingerprints, iris scan, photo, digital signature). It is issued by the Department of National ID and Civil Registration (DoNIDCR) under the National Identity Card and Civil Registration Act, 2076 (2019).
Visit enrollment.donidcr.gov.np, create an account with your mobile number, click "New Enrollment," fill in personal details, upload your citizenship certificate, select an enrollment center and appointment date, and print the token slip. Then visit the enrollment center on your appointment date for biometric data capture (photo, fingerprints, iris scan, signature).
Yes. The first National Identity Card is issued free of charge. If the card is lost, damaged, or requires replacement due to name or address change, a fee of NPR 500 is charged. Corrections for errors made by the government during enrollment are processed free of cost.
For NID registration, you need:
Yes. In January 2025, the Supreme Court of Nepal dismissed writ petitions challenging mandatory NID enrollment. The NID is now legally required for e-passport applications, opening bank accounts, purchasing SIM cards, receiving social security allowances, and accessing government services. The requirement is being progressively expanded to cover more services.
All Nepali citizens aged 16 years and above who hold a valid citizenship certificate are eligible to register for the National Identity Card. As of mid-2024, NIN numbers are assigned at birth registration, with physical cards issued after the child reaches age 16. NRNs and foreign nationals are planned for future enrollment phases but are not yet eligible.
You can register at any of the 77 District Administration Offices (DAO) across Nepal, Area Administration Offices, or special enrollment centers. Non-permanent residents of Kathmandu Valley can register at the Narayanhiti Durbar enrollment center. The government also organizes special camps for civil servants, retirees, and remote district citizens.
You can check your NID status through three methods: (1) visit citizenportal.donidcr.gov.np and enter your request number, (2) send an SMS with your details in the format announced by DoNIDCR, or (3) enter your NIN in the Nagarik App to access a digital copy of your card.
The citizenship certificate is a paper-based document without biometric data, while the NID card is a biometric smart card with a microchip containing fingerprints, iris scan, photo, and digital signature. The NID provides a centralized unique number (NIN) nationwide, offers forgery protection through electronic verification, and is designed to eventually replace the citizenship certificate. However, citizenship is still required for court marriage registration.
No. As of current practice, the National ID card alone is not sufficient for court marriage registration in Nepal. The original citizenship certificate is still required at ward offices and courts for marriage registration. This may change as NID replaces citizenship for more services in the future.
Not yet. Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) are planned for inclusion in a future enrollment phase, but NID registration is currently limited to citizens residing in Nepal with valid citizenship certificates. NRNs should continue using their citizenship certificate and Power of Attorney for legal proceedings in Nepal.
The NIN (National Identity Number) is assigned immediately after biometric enrollment. However, the physical card printing and distribution takes longer — typically a few weeks to a few months depending on location and volume. You will receive an SMS notification when your card is ready for collection at your enrollment center.
If your NID card is lost or damaged, submit a replacement application at your District Administration Office or Area Administration Office with an explanation. After verification, a duplicate card will be issued for a fee of NPR 500. Your NIN remains the same — only the physical card is replaced.
Yes. As of January 2025, banks in Nepal require the NID number for opening new bank accounts. If you do not have a physical NID card yet, most banks accept the NIN along with an original citizenship certificate as supporting identification. The Nepal Rastra Bank has directed all financial institutions to implement NID verification in their KYC processes.
The NID is increasingly used for identity verification at District Courts, but the citizenship certificate remains the primary identification document for divorce proceedings. Both documents may be required. If filing from abroad, NRNs (who are not yet eligible for NID) continue using citizenship + Power of Attorney.
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