National ID: Simplifying issuance procedures for Iraqis abroad

INA - BAGHDAD 

The National ID Card Affairs Department of the Civil Status Department confirmed the implementation of a plan to simplify procedures and reduce momentum, including departments inside Iraq as well as issuance operations abroad, while it revealed the imminent contracting with the German company implementing the project in preparation for opening centers in Baghdad and the provinces.

"There is an integrated plan to reduce the crowd of citizens in the national card departments, according to the directives of the Minister of Interior, Abdul Amir Al-Shimmari, and the follow-up of the Director General of the Department of Civil Status, Passports and Residence, Major General Riyad Al-Jundi, to simplify procedures and submit  integrated technical solutions," said the Director of the Directorate of National Card Affairs, Brigadier General Muhammed Naji Hussein, to the Iraqi News Agency - INA.

He added, "the National Card Directorate has initiated a technical and economic feasibility study, and we are now in the process of completing all contracting procedures with the German company implementing the national card system, and upon approval of the federal budget, central registration centers will be opened."

He pointed out, "There is a package to simplify procedures for the Iraqi community abroad by opening registration stations, and currently workshops are being held to come up with a legal and technical frameworks document with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

Regarding the reason why children under the age of 12 are not included in the national card, he explained, “This came in accordance with Instructions No. 1 of 2017, due to the lack of clarity of the fingerprints of children, but there is an exception for newborn children who do not have a civil status identity, as well as whose identities are lost or damaged. They are given a national card with a validity period of up to 12 years, after which fingerprints and iris prints are taken."