By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) has extended the deadline for obtaining biometric identity cards in Sierra Leone to December 31, 2024. This extension provides citizens and foreign residents ample time to secure their necessary identification.
The NCRA is actively issuing various categories of ID cards, including:
National Identity Cards: For Sierra Leoneans aged 12 and above.
ECOWAS ID Cards: Available on demand for Sierra Leoneans and ECOWAS citizens.
Non-National ID Cards: Mandatory for all foreign residents in Sierra Leone, except those with diplomatic waivers. Foreign nationals are strongly encouraged to acquire these cards.
The National ID Card simplifies various aspects of life in Sierra Leone, including:
– Financial Transactions: Facilitates smoother dealings at banks, forex bureaus, and insurance companies.
– Vehicle Purchase: Simplifies vehicle registration and licensing.
– Job Registration: Required by public and private employers during recruitment.
– NASSIT Enrollment: Essential for enrolling with the National Social Security and Insurance Trust.
– Property Matters: Necessary for buying land or registering property.
– Education and Exams: Required for enrolling in schools and universities and taking public exams.
– SIM Registration: Mandatory for registering SIM cards.
– Life Events: Eases the registration of births, deaths, marriages, and other significant events.
– Immigration Matters: Needed for applying for residency or work permits.
– Business Startups: Simplifies business registration and incorporation.
The parliamentary ratification of the ID Card Agreement mandates the use of the National Identification Number (NIN) for accessing various services. Applicants for work and residence permits must present their Non-National ID Cards, which include their NIN, at the relevant ministry or department for processing.
This initiative aims to enhance citizen safety and streamline local transactions. Biometric ID Cards, now required at checkpoints nationwide, offer secure personal information storage while providing access to essential services. The NCRA emphasizes that the National ID card is more than just an identification tool; it is a key to a future of convenience and security.
Residents aged 12 and above can obtain their National ID Card at designated NCRA centers across the country. Non-citizens must also apply for the Non-National ID Card for permits. The NCRA Centers for ID Card Application and Processing are located at:
1. NCRA Headquarters, 2 Walpole Street, Freetown
2. NCRA Office, 23B Off Kingharman Road, Freetown
3. NCRA Office, Kennedy Street, Freetown
4. NCRA Branch Office, Lumley Road, Freetown (By the Roundabout)
5. NCRA Office, Waterloo along the Freetown Highway (Opposite the Police Station)
6. NCRA Offices in the Regional Headquarter Towns of Bo, Kenema, Makeni, and Port Loko
To increase accessibility, corporate facilities are also available. Organizations and institutions such as Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), foreign missions, financial institutions, etc., can contact the following numbers for service details:
+232-33-433-333
+232-30-500-000
+232-78-221-812
Email inquiries can be sent to idverification@ncra.gov.
The NCRA is committed to ensuring that the national ID card serves as a gateway to a secure and convenient future, reinforcing its role in Sierra Leone’s socio-economic development.
