Overview
NIRA issues Somalia's national ID card and a unique 11-digit number assigned for life. Registration is free at NIRA district centres in Mogadishu and other regions and at offices abroad, such as the Somali embassy in Nairobi. A temporary certificate lets you use services while the card is produced. Since 1 September 2025 the national ID is required for passport applications.
Who can apply
Somali citizens, including internally displaced people and Somalis abroad.
Requirements
What you need
- Proof of identity
Any identity documents you hold, such as a birth certificate or old passport.
- In-person attendance
Your photo and biometrics are captured.
Procedure
Step by step
5 steps from start to finish.
- Step 1 of 5
Find a NIRA centre
Go to a NIRA registration centre or a NIRA office at a Somali embassy.
- Step 2 of 5
Register
Provide your details and documents.
- Step 3 of 5
Give your biometrics
