Iranian identity card
The Iranian identity card is the primary identity document in Iran. Every citizen age of 15 and above, whether resident or not, needs to apply for such a card, which bears their unique national identity number, given name, surname, birth date, and postal code. The current version of this card is called the national smart card (Persian: کارت هوشمند ملّی) and is the successor of the national card (Persian: کارت ملّی). This card is intended to reduce the need for the more valuable Iranian identity booklet, which is issued at birth.
| Iranian national identity card | |
|---|---|
An example of Iranian NID card | |
| Issued by | Iran |
| Eligibility | 15 years of age |
| Expiration | 7 years from date of issuance (At least until 2027-03-20) |
| Website | https://www.ncr.ir/idcard/ |
The National Organization For Civil Registration began issuing national smart cards in 2015. At the time, the application was voluntary. As with other smart cards, the national card features a smart chip and an RFID. The Iranian authorities initially advertised this card as a means of secure participation in elections that guarantees voting integrity.
On the back of the card it says it is legally required to notify Civil Registration of address changes.
In the near future, identity booklets will be replaced by these cards. It will also replace Iranian banks' debit cards in August 2023.