How to Find Your Civil ID Number in Kuwait

Just landed in Kuwait, waiting for your first card, or simply can’t remember the number? Your 12-digit civil ID number is needed for almost every online service here: PACI, Sahel, banks, telcos, hospitals, even food delivery apps that verify your identity. This guide shows every easy way to find your civil ID number, explains how the number works, and clears up the confusion between the civil ID number, the serial number and the receipt number.

What is a civil ID number?

Your civil ID number (also called the civil number, الرقم المدني) is a unique 12-digit number given by PACI to every Kuwaiti and every resident. It stays with you for life in Kuwait. Even if you renew your card, replace a lost one or leave and come back later on a new residency, PACI normally uses the same civil number for you.

The number is built from your details. The first digits relate to your date of birth, which is why two people born on the same day have numbers that start the same way.

Where to find your civil ID number

Where	When it helps
Front of your civil ID card	You have the card
Kuwait Mobile ID app	Card is at home or lost, but the app is set up
Sahel app profile	You’re logged in to Sahel
Residency details from your sponsor or company	New arrival, no card yet
Bank letters, salary slips, work contract	Old documents at hand
PACI Civil Number Inquiry	You have residency details but no civil number

1. On your civil ID card

The 12-digit number is printed on the front of the card, near your photo and name. It’s labelled as the civil number in English and Arabic. Don’t confuse it with the serial number, which is a separate shorter code printed elsewhere on the card.

2. In the Kuwait Mobile ID app

If you’ve set up Kuwait Mobile ID, open the app and your digital card shows the same civil ID number. This is the quickest option when you’ve left your wallet at home.

3. In Sahel

Once you’re logged in to Sahel, your profile and the PACI services show your civil number.

4. From your sponsor or company PRO

For new arrivals, this is often the fastest way. The PRO who processed your residency can usually see your civil number straight away. If you’re on a family visa, your sponsor (usually your husband or father) can check through their own records or Sahel.

5. PACI Civil Number Inquiry

PACI has a Civil Number Inquiry option in the Card Services box on services.paci.gov.kw. It’s meant for people whose residency is done at the Ministry of Interior but who don’t know their PACI civil number yet.

1. Open services.paci.gov.kw and switch to English.
2. In Card Services, choose Civil Number Inquiry.
3. Enter the details it asks for from your residency papers.
4. Submit to see your civil number.

6. From old documents

If you’ve lived in Kuwait before, look at old bank letters, salary slips, work contracts, hospital cards or telecom contracts. Many of them include your civil number.

Civil ID number vs serial number vs receipt number

Number	Length	Changes?	Used for
Civil ID number	12 digits	No, stays with you	Almost everything: PACI, Sahel, banks
Serial number	Shorter code on the card	Yes, with every new card	Card Validity, Meta registration, delivery
Receipt (envelope) number	On the PACI slip	Yes, per application	Tracking a card being made

PACI asks for the serial number in some services, like Card Validity. More on that in our civil ID validity check guide.

Don’t have the number but have a receipt?

If you’re only trying to track a card that’s being made, you don’t need the civil ID number. The receipt number works too. See our civil ID status check guide for how to use it.

Can you find a civil ID number with a passport number?

Not through PACI’s Card Status service; it only accepts the civil ID number or the receipt number. Use the Civil Number Inquiry option, your residency details, or ask your sponsor.

Keep your civil number safe

• Your civil number is personal data. Don’t post photos of your card on social media.
• Only enter it on websites ending in .gov.kw or trusted bank and telecom apps.
• Be careful with WhatsApp messages asking for your civil number “to update your file”.

Frequently asked questions

How can I find my civil ID number in Kuwait?

Check the card or Kuwait Mobile ID, use PACI’s Civil Number Inquiry, or ask your sponsor or company PRO.

How many digits is a Kuwait civil ID number?

12 digits.

Does my civil ID number change when I renew?

No. The civil number stays the same. Only the card serial number changes.

Can I find my civil ID number with my passport number?

PACI’s Card Status service doesn’t use passport numbers. Try the Civil Number Inquiry option or ask your sponsor.

I’m new in Kuwait and have no card. What number do I use?

Use the receipt number from PACI to track the card, and ask your sponsor for the civil number once the residency is done.

Where is the serial number on the civil ID?

It is printed on the card separately from the 12-digit civil ID number.