Abu Dhabi: The ID card registration process involves two steps. Filling out an electronic application form with fee payment either online or at a typing centre is the first step.
Visiting the Emirates Identity Authority’s registration centre after getting an appointment to provide fingerprints, photo and signature to complete the registration process is the second step.
Children under 15 have to undergo the first step only as the authority does not ask for their fingerprints.
The electronic application form can be filled out at any of the 1,100 authorised typing centres across the country. To find out the nearest typing centre and its contact number, long on to www.emiratesid.ae or call 600530003.
The applicant does not need to be present in person at a typing centre but a representative can do it on his or her behalf by carrying the original passport with residence visa of the applicant (family book also in the case of Emiratis).
Applicants can also fix up an appointment at an Emirates Identity Authority registration centre. Apart from the fee for the ID card, Dh70 extra has to be paid as service charges.
Net-savvy residents can apply online (www.emiratesid.ae) by paying the fee through a credit card.
They have to fill out the online application form, scan the passport with the residence visa details and upload it on the website [passport and family book in the case of Emiratis] and get an appointment to visit the authority’s registration centre to complete the process.
Online applicants save Dh30 on the typing fee which they would otherwise pay at a typing centre.
Children under 15 have to submit at typing centres or upload online a colour passport-size picture (4.5 x 3.5 cm) with a white background as they do not need to visit a registration centre.
Once the application is successfully submitted either at a typing centre or online, the applicant will receive a text message with the details of the appointment date, time and the registration centre to visit. An appointment can be changed only once — by calling 600530003.
Once the ID card is printed, the applicant will receive a text message, asking him or her to collect the card from a post office.
As for renewals, an ID card has to be renewed within 30 days of its expiry. After this period, a fine of Dh20 will apply per day, going up to a maximum of Dh1,000.
Most ID card holders will be able to complete the renewal process by filing out at an application at a typing centre or online.
Only if one’s fingerprints are not clear on the authority’s system will he or she be asked to visit the authority’s registration centre to record the fingerprints again. Typing centres or the authority’s website can advise applicants in this regard.
Once the ID card is printed after the successful completion of application for renewal, the applicant will receive a text message asking him or her to collect the card from a post office.
