How to Apply for Kuwait Civil ID | Detailed Guide in 2024

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Within 30 days of receiving their residency visa, all Kuwaiti citizens and foreigners must apply for a civil card. The Civil ID card, often referred to as bitaqa-al-madaniyah, is a crucial document demonstrating your right to remain in the Gulf country.

This document must be processed and issued by the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) through the main Civil ID registration, which typically takes 10 working days. You can also perform a Civil ID Status check to track the progress of your application.

A Civil ID card allows the possessor to:

  • Set up a bank account

  • Send children to school

  • Purchase a car

It’s a vital necessity for residents of Kuwait.

Civil ID Application Requirements

Required Documents:

  • Valid address proof (rental home agreement or shared accommodation proof)

  • Copy of passport (initial, home, and last page)

  • Copy of work permit (green paper)

  • Civil identification form from a typing center

  • Blood group test and stamp

  • 2 passport-size photos with a blue background

Civil ID for Newborns

If your baby was recently born in Kuwait:

  1. Get a birth certificate from the Ministry of Health

  2. Apply for a residency permit under the parents’ sponsorship

  3. Submit the same documents as a child application

  4. Proceed with a regular PACI appointment

How to Apply for Kuwait Civil ID (Step-by-Step Process)

Step 1: Provide Address Proof

You must present valid address evidence to register for the Civil ID and complete the payment after the application. Keep a copy of your rental agreement and be aware of the Civil ID office timing to avoid any delays.

If you’re sharing a place, submit:

  • A copy of the house rent contract

  • A copy of the main tenant’s Civil ID

Step 2: Prepare Identity Documents

  • A duplicate of your passport (initial page, home page, final page)

  • A copy of your work permit (green paper)

Step 3: Visit a Typing Center

  • Collect the Civil ID form and envelope (500 fils charged)

  • Ask them to fill the form using your passport and rental agreement (another 500 fils)

If you’re living with someone, they must also sign the form as part of the biometric step. The signature must match the lease agreement, especially during the Civil ID renewal process.

Step 4: Get a Blood Group Test

  • Take the completed form to a clinic or hospital for a blood group test and stamping. Cost: 2–4 KD

Step 5: Attach Photos

  • Include two passport-sized photos with a blue background inside the envelope.

Step 6: Submit to PACI

  • Submit the documents to the PACI Office (6th Ring Road, South Soura). Take a token and arrive early (before 7 AM is ideal) to avoid long wait times.

Step 7: Verification Process

  • When your number is called, submit the envelope. Staff will check your documents and enter your information into the system.

Step 8: Civil ID Issuance

  • That’s it! Your Civil ID should be ready in two weeks.

Late Application Penalty

Expats will be fined 20 KD if they do not apply for a Civil ID within 30 days of receiving their residency stamp.

Where to Pick a Civil ID?

In the major cities of Kuwait, the government built different Civil ID Centers where people can receive, as well as have their Civil ID delivered to their home address, and also complete the Civil ID payment method conveniently on-site.

Transactions between ministries and companies are faster with the new ID system. Employers can verify workers’ legal status through ID scanning. If your ID is lost, the recovery process involves police reports, new labor cards, and documentation.