Your New Digital ID is Ready: Mandatory Update for Citizens with Older Cards
In a significant step to modernize citizen services and enhance administrative security, Iranian authorities have announced a mandatory update program for national identity cards. The initiative, led by the National Organization for Civil Registration (NOCR), phases out older, physical booklets in favor of new, secure digital IDs.
This transition is designed to integrate citizens more seamlessly into the nation’s expanding digital ecosystem, ensuring faster and more secure access to a wide range of governmental, banking, and educational services.
Who Must Update Their ID?
The update is mandatory for citizens still holding older versions of the identity booklet, particularly those with red covers. These older documents are now considered invalid for official use in banking, educational, judicial, and administrative transactions.
The new digital IDs are equipped with advanced electronic signatures, multiple security layers, and robust anti-forgery features, making them a reliable and necessary upgrade for the digital age. They are fully compatible with all public and private service platforms.
How to Receive Your New Digital ID
Citizens can obtain their new identity cards through two convenient methods:
- In-Person: Visit a Government Service Center (Pishkhan-e Dolat) and provide the required documents.
- Online: Submit a request through the NOCR portal at https://sabteahval.ir or via the “Sahim” platform at sahim.sabteahval.ir and have the new ID delivered by post.
Required documents include:
- The original old ID booklet
- Three new 4×3 cm photographs (for those over 15)
- Proof of payment for the statutory fee
- Complete postal address for delivery
- Marriage and children’s information (for married individuals)
- National code of parents (if living)
- A valid photo ID (e.g., national card, driver’s license)
The processing time for a new ID is typically between 5 to 7 working days.
2024 Fee Structure
The NOCR has published the updated fee schedule for 2024:
- Replacing old booklets: 150,000 Tomans
- First-time re-issuance: 200,000 Tomans
- Second re-issuance: 300,000 Tomans
- Third and subsequent re-issuance: 400,000 Tomans
These fees cover all costs for printing and delivery to the applicant’s address.
A Broader Digital Transformation
An official from the South Khorasan Provincial Registration Office highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to reduce in-person visits and streamline bureaucratic processes. The integration of systems like the “Sahim” platform for online applications and the “Hada” national electronic authentication system has already facilitated secure digital verification for over 230 executive agencies nationwide.
Further advancements include the electronic issuance of birth certificates and inheritance deeds, significantly cutting processing times and eliminating the need for physical presence in government offices. This comprehensive digital shift aligns with national development goals, aiming to provide efficient, secure, and modern services to all citizens.