How to Apply for a National ID in Nepal

Eligibility

• A Nepali citizen who is at least 16 years old
• An applicant who has a Nepali citizenship certificate
• An applicant able to appear at an authorized enrollment station for verification and biometrics

Required documents checklist

• □ Original Nepali citizenship certificate
• □ Original migration certificate when the permanent address now differs from the address on the citizenship certificate
• □ For a married applicant whose spouse is not recorded in the citizenship certificate: original marriage registration, marriage verification or relationship verification as applicable
• □ If the citizenship certificate does not show date of birth: an original official record such as birth registration, academic certificate, passport or pension book
• □ Original correction or other supporting records needed to explain a difference in name, birth date, address or family details
• □ The pre-enrollment application or appointment reference saved after the online step

Step-by-step process

1. Open the official DONIDCR pre-enrollment system from donidcr.gov.np; avoid unofficial form services.
2. Enter names, citizenship number, date of birth, addresses and family details exactly as supported by the original records.
3. Choose an available authorized station and appointment slot shown by the system, then save the application or appointment reference.
4. Before the visit, compare every entry with the originals. Bring the extra record that explains any address, marriage, date-of-birth or identity difference.
5. Attend the selected station in person. The operator verifies the records and captures ten fingerprints, both irises, a facial photograph and an electronic signature; an unavailable finger or vision-related exception is recorded by the station.
6. Keep the enrollment receipt/request number. Use DONIDCR's Citizen Portal to check the NID number or card status rather than submitting a second application.
7. Collect the physical card from the enrollment place when DONIDCR's official notice or status channel says it is ready.

Fees and timelines

• The current official application, FAQ and status pages reviewed do not publish a first-enrollment fee. Do not rely on an unofficial price; follow only a charge shown by DONIDCR or the enrollment office and keep a receipt.
• DONIDCR does not promise one nationwide appointment, NIN-generation or card-printing time on the reviewed pages. Availability depends on the station and card production.
• The NIN may be generated after biometric enrollment; physical card printing is a later step. Track them separately with the official reference.

Common mistakes

• Treating the online form as completed enrollment and missing the biometric visit
• Typing a spelling, citizenship number or date that the original record does not support
• Choosing a station or appointment but failing to save the reference
• Taking only a photocopy when the official FAQ asks for clear original documents
• Ignoring migration, marriage/relationship or date-of-birth evidence needed for a mismatch
• Wearing a hat, face covering, heavy cosmetic makeup or jewelry that prevents the required clear facial photograph
• Submitting a second enrollment because the NIN or card is delayed
• Using a third-party status page and exposing citizenship or request details

Office and portal links

FAQ