How to Apply for Kuwait Civil ID | Detailed Guide in 2024
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), which typically takes 10 working days.
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:
Get a birth certificate from the Ministry of Health
Apply for a residency permit under the parents’ sponsorship
Submit the same documents as a child application
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. Keep a copy of your rental agreement.
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. The signature must match the lease agreement.
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.
After submit online application check online PACI Civil ID Status inquiry.
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 people can deliver Civil ID to their home address.
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.
