Lost Civil ID in Kuwait: What to Do, Replacement Fee and Steps

Lost your civil ID at the mall, left it in a taxi, or found it cracked in your wallet? Relax, it happens to a lot of people here and it’s fixable. Here is exactly what to do when your civil ID is lost in Kuwait: what to do in the first hour, whether you need a police report, how to replace it online or at PACI, how much it costs, and how to protect yourself from misuse.

First hour: what to do

1. Search properly. Check your car, office, gym bag and the last shop or restaurant you visited. Many cards turn up the same day.
2. Call places you visited. Malls, taxis and co-ops often hand lost cards to security or the police.
3. If stolen, go to the police. Report it at the nearest police station and keep the paper.
4. Tell your bank if your civil ID is linked to your account, so nobody can misuse it.
5. Use Kuwait Mobile ID. If it’s on your phone, you can keep proving your identity at most government offices while you wait.

Do I need a police report?

PACI has said that a police report is no longer needed for a normal lost card. Your passport and a copy of the lost civil ID are usually enough. If the card was stolen, or you think someone might misuse it, file a police report anyway. It protects you if your ID is used for a SIM card, a loan or anything else you didn’t do.

How to replace a lost civil ID

Option 1: Sahel app

Many replacement requests can now be done in Sahel. Log in, go to PACI services, choose the lost or damaged card replacement and follow the steps. Pay the fee in the app and save the confirmation.

Option 2: PACI visit by appointment

1. Book an appointment on the Meta platform at meta.e.gov.kw. First-time users register with their civil ID number, mobile number, civil ID serial number and email.
2. Choose personal services, then PACI and the replacement service.
3. Go to PACI on your appointment day with your original passport, a copy of it, and a copy of the lost civil ID if you have one.
4. Fill in the replacement form at the counter.
5. Pay the replacement fee online.
6. Keep the receipt to track your new card.

Kuwaiti citizens can also apply in person at the PACI headquarters in South Surra, and a representative with a Ministry of Justice power of attorney can do it on their behalf.

Documents to bring

Document	Notes
Original passport + copy	Main proof of identity
Copy of the lost civil ID	If you have a photo or scan
Police report	Only if stolen or you chose to report
Recent photo	If PACI asks
Appointment confirmation	For in-person visits

Lost civil ID replacement fee

Replacing a lost or damaged civil ID costs 20 KD, paid online through PACI. That’s four times the normal 5 KD card fee, so it’s worth keeping a photo of your card and setting up Kuwait Mobile ID before anything goes missing.

Damaged, not lost?

A cracked, bent or faded card, or one where the chip stopped working, goes through the same replacement process and fee. Take the damaged card with you when you go to PACI.

Tracking and collecting the new card

Use the receipt number to follow the new card with our civil ID status check guide. When it says ready, pick it up from the centre in the message, as explained in the civil ID collection guide.

Found the old card after reporting it?

Don’t use it. Once a replacement is issued, the old card is cancelled. Hand it in at PACI.

Protect yourself after losing your civil ID

• Watch your bank SMS alerts for anything unusual.
• Check with your telecom provider that no new lines were opened in your name.
• Don’t share photos of your new card on WhatsApp groups.
• Keep a scanned copy of the new card in a secure folder.

Lost civil ID while travelling

If you lose it outside Kuwait, you can usually re-enter with your passport and valid residency, and Kuwait Mobile ID is accepted at Kuwait border points. Apply for the replacement once you’re back.

Frequently asked questions

What do I do if I lose my civil ID in Kuwait?

Use Sahel or book a PACI appointment on Meta, take your passport and a copy of the lost card, and pay the 20 KD replacement fee.

How much does a lost civil ID cost?

The replacement fee is 20 KD.

Do I need a police report for a lost civil ID?

Not for a normal lost card, according to PACI. File one if it was stolen.

Can I travel without my civil ID?

Kuwait Mobile ID is accepted at government offices and border points. Carry your passport too, and check with your airline.

Is a damaged card replaced the same way?

Yes, a damaged card goes through the same replacement process and fee.