Here are Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). These are more about Sri Lanka related often ask questions.
It is mandatory for the applicant to come to collect the National Identity Card. The NIC will be issued only to the mother, father, wife, husband, or next of kin who bring a letter authorized by Grama Niladhari stating the difficulty of visit the office and collect. The reason could be due to disabled person, very old person, hospitalized person, seriously ill person, or a person who finds it extremely hard to reach the office.
Generally, it takes three months. The National Identity Card will be mailed to the applicant’s personal address within 3 months of handing over the application. It might take some more time by any circumstances such as national emergency situations.
Applicant can check the NIC status at the Divisional Secretariat office or call the Department of Registration of Persons telephone numbers during office hours. Telephone numbers are (011) 5226100 and (011) 5226126.
The National Identity Card (NIC) number consists of 12 numbers. The first four numbers are the birth year of the person. Next three numbers for date of birth of the NIC holder. If these three number exceed more than 500, it means the holder is female. If it less than 500, the holder is male. The rest of the numbers are serial number.
The number appears in the front of the ID. Also, its rear side has the old NIC number if the person already obtained the ID.
National Identity Card is issued under the One day service for people who need to obtain the NIC urgently. One day service is available at the Head Office of the Department of Registration of Persons. 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.
One day service fee is Rs.2000/-. Also, applicant should submit the relevant documents as per normal service procedure.
To get a new NIC in Sri Lanka, you have to meet the followings:
- Duly completed application (Form D.R.P/1,7,8)
- Original birth certificate or extract of the birth registry certified by the Additional District Registrar. It should obtain within 06 month period.
- ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standard photograph obtained within 06 month period.
- Receipt of payment of application fee.
- A long envelop with postal address and registered post stamp. (Not for one day service)
Note: There might be additional apart from the standards practice.
- Original of the complaint made to the police including the lost passport number. (If the lost passport number is not available, you can obtain it from the Colombo head office or a regional office (Kandy, Matara, Vavuniya and Kurunegala.) of Department of Immigration and Emigration.)
- If the passport was lost abroad, the temporary travel document (NMRP) used to arrive in Sri Lanka.
- A fine of Rs. 20,000 in addition to the passport fee (passports lost within one year of issue).
- A fine of Rs. 15,000 in addition to the passport fee (Passports lost after one year of issue).
Note: Fine fee might change as per changes and you should make sure.
This is applicable to all Sri Lankan ordinary passports that valid for all countries.
- Fully completed application form
- Three photographs from acknowledged studio
- Original birth certificate with photocopy that certified by authorised official.
- Original National Identity Card with a photocopy that certified by authorised official.
- Marriage certificate with a photocopy where it is necessary (To confirm the name after marriage)
- Head office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Colombo.
- Department of Immigration and Emigration’s regional offices in Kandy, Matara, Vavuniya and Kurunegala.
- Head office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Colombo.
- Regional offices of Department of Immigration and Emigration in Kandy, Matara, Vavuniya and Kurunegala.
- Divisional Secretariats of your area
- Overseas Sri Lankan missions
- Download printable application form (softcopy) from the Department of Immigration and Emigration’s website.