How to Apply for a National ID Card in Nepal

1. Prepare your original documents

The most important rule is simple: take originals. DONIDCR says unclear, self-corrected, damaged, torn or photocopied-only certificates cannot be used as the basis for enrolment.

2. Fill the official online application

Open the official National ID pre-enrolment portal. The online form records demographic details and helps prepare the biometric appointment. It does not replace the office visit.

1. Open the pre-enrolment portal and read the current instructions.
2. Enter personal, citizenship, address and family information exactly from your documents.
3. Select the available enrolment location and appointment details shown by the portal.
4. Review the form carefully before final submission.
5. Save and print the receipt containing the Application ID or QR code.

Click each form tab to see what information you need

The portal separates the application into five tabs. Open each section below before you begin so you can prepare the right records and understand which values belong in each box.

3. Handle difficult fields carefully

Birth date is missing or unclear

Carry an official document that clearly establishes the date: birth registration, educational certificate, passport or pension document. Let the verification officer decide the accepted basis rather than estimating the date yourself.

Permanent address is different

Take the original migration certificate or government residence proof. DONIDCR notes that a supporting certificate may not be necessary when the wording changed only because of local-level restructuring.

Married name or spouse details differ

If the spouse is not shown on citizenship, take the original marriage registration, marriage certification or relationship certificate. DONIDCR also says a spouse's surname cannot simply be added to the National ID when it is absent from citizenship; citizenship must be corrected first if that surname is to be used.

BS and AD dates

Copy the calendar system requested by the official field. If you need a working conversion for comparison, use the Tools Pasal BS–AD Date Converter, then verify the final date against your original document before submitting.

4. Visit the enrolment station

You can enrol at a District Administration Office (जिल्ला प्रशासन कार्यालय), an Area Administration Office with a National ID station, or a ward-level campaign when one is operating.

For the official photograph, keep your face clearly visible and follow the operator's instructions about makeup, headwear and accessories. If a disability affects fingerprints or iris capture, DONIDCR says the condition can be recorded during enrolment.

5. Get or check your National Identity Number (NIN)

The NIN (राष्ट्रिय परिचय नम्बर) is a unique 10-digit number. DONIDCR says stations at District and Area Administration Offices may provide it promptly after enrolment, while ward campaigns may send it later by SMS.

Keep the application receipt safe. It is the easiest reference when your NIN SMS has not arrived or you need help from DONIDCR.

If the official search still does not find your record, use the contact details currently published on the DONIDCR website. Contact numbers can change, so this guide links to the department rather than freezing an old number.

6. Download provisional eNID or collect the physical card

Provisional eNID PDF

DONIDCR has introduced an eNID (Provisional NID) download service through the Citizen Portal. According to the official portal manual:

1. Open the Citizen Portal and choose National ID number search.
2. Enter the requested name, birth date, citizenship issue date and captcha on the official portal.
3. Search the record and use the card-download option when available.
4. The downloaded PDF password is formed from the first four capital letters of the English name plus the BS birth year. Follow the exact example and latest instructions shown in the official manual.

Physical card collection

DONIDCR says it sends an SMS after the card is printed. Collect the card from the same place where you enrolled. You must attend personally because biometric verification is required at distribution.

As a practical expectation, the printed card may take around 1 to 6 months after enrolment, and some cases can take longer depending on printing and distribution. The reviewed official FAQ does not promise a fixed card-processing deadline, so wait for the official collection SMS and be cautious with websites or agents promising a guaranteed delivery date.

7. Correct details or replace a lost card

Correction

Visit a National ID enrolment station at a District Administration Office or an Area Administration Office and submit the required correction application with supporting originals. DONIDCR states that the NIN remains the same after correction.

Lost, damaged or unusable card

Apply for a duplicate at the relevant administration/enrolment station. The DONIDCR FAQ reviewed on 22 June 2026 lists Rs 500 revenue for a replacement and publishes bank/account instructions. Confirm those instructions with the office before paying because payment details can change.

Common mistakes that can cause another visit

• Taking photocopies but leaving the original citizenship or supporting certificate at home.
• Typing a new English spelling that does not match the document used for verification.
• Using the citizenship address after formally migrating without carrying migration/residence proof.
• Guessing a missing birth date instead of bringing an accepted official record.
• Signing the printed confirmation without checking both Nepali and English details.
• Losing the Application ID receipt before the NIN or card arrives.
• Entering identity details or OTPs on unofficial websites that resemble a government portal.

Frequently asked questions