New way to offer services          ID card          Resident card         Birth certificate         Death certificate

The identity card went through many stages of development since the outset of the blessed renaissance. The fist card was issued in 1978 and was very simple. In 1989, it was modernized by being issued in a smaller size with security standards to protect it from forgery. With the advent of computer technology in everyday transactions, the civil register came up with a new technique to be included in the identity card, which is the electronic chip.

- Simple card made of paper covered with a transparent layer of plastic with acceptable security standards.

- Contains the holders personal information.

- It was issuing for any Omani who is above sixteen (16) years of age.

-Plastic card covered with a transparent layer of plastic. It has an electronic chip with a bigger capacity to store personal data with higher security standards

- Depends on essential standards: technology of electronic transfer of the holder’s fingerprint and storing it on the electronic chip fitted on the card. 

-  It is issuing for any Omani who is above fifteen (15) years of age.

- Comprehensive personal data about the citizen himself.

-It contains important data along with the driving license data on its back.

-The electronic chip contains the same notable features on the card along with other data such as occupation, marital status, level of education, and the passport number. It also includes the picture and fingerprint of the holder.

-Simple with good security features.  It has lines and drawings which are hard to forge. Since the picture is pasted on the card and the signature is entered by hand on the reverse, there is no way it can be forged.

- The applicant should be there in person in order to take his digital picture, electronic fingerprint and electronic signature. This also applies to the renewal of the card. Since the picture and signature are taken electronically, one cannot impersonate another person because the holder's fingerprint is stored on the electronic chip.

 - It takes hours but it is a must to come on the next day for the follow up.

 - 15 minutes approximately.

How it is issued

- Through the conventional way where the applicant waits at the counter. The application form is filled by hand. One employee only checks the data and enters it in the system after which the card is issued. The card is manually laminated with plastic.

- In this modern approach the employee sits in front of the employee to ensure confidentiality of the data. The issuance process goes through three phases (checking the data, entering the data electronically through reading the application form electronically and taking the picture and signature electronically). The issuance and lamination are done electronically by one machine.

Validity of the Card

- Valid for 5 years

- Valid for 5 years