By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Police and the Office of National Security, has on Friday June 27, 2024 announced an extension for obtaining National, ECOWAS and Non-National ID Cards. The new deadline is now December 31, 2024, providing the general public additional time to acquire their identification cards.
This extension aligns with a Cabinet Directive ratified by Parliament in March 2022, which mandates the linkage of the National Identification Number (NIN) on ID Cards for accessing various services, including:
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a) transactions with Financial Institutions (Banks, Forex Bureau, Insurance, etc)
b) Vehicle Registration and licensing
c) Recruitment into Public and Private Institutions for consistency in personal information
d) NASSIT Enrolment
e) Land and Property Registration
f) Enrolment into Educational Institutions including Public Exams
g) Sim Card Registration
h) Vital Events Registration (Birth, Death, Marriage, Divorce, Adoption etc)
i) Immigration Services, Resident/Work Permits i Business Registration and IncorporationResidents are encouraged to obtain their ID Cards from NCRA Offices or designated centers across the country against December 31, 2024, between 08:30 am and 17:30 pm, Monday to Friday. The National and Non-National ID Cards are mandatory, while the ECOWAS ID Card is optional.
The NCRA and the Security Sector will conduct routine checks to ensure reliable identification. Foreign residents must obtain their Non-National Identity Cards as required by law. These Biometric National Identity Cards are crucial for personal security and access to essential services, featuring an advanced ID verification system.
For application, visit one of the following locations:
NCRA Headquarters: 2 Walpole Street, Freetown
2. NCRA Office: 23B Off Kingharman Road, Freetown
3. NCRA Office: Kennedy Street, Freetown
4. NCRA Branch Office: 230 Lumley Road, Freetown (By the Round About)
5. NCRA Office: Waterloo along the Freetown Highway (Opposite the Police Station)
6. NCRA Offices in Regional Headquarter Towns: Bo, Kenema, Makeni, and Port Loko
For more information, contact NCRA at: Mobile: +232 33 939740 / +232 79 578063 /+232-33-433-333, +232-30-500-000, +232-60-000, +232-78-221-812 Website: www.ngra.gov.sl Email: info@ncio or idverification@ncra.gov
Obtaining a National ID Card is essential for personal security and contributing to national development.
