The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Police and the Office of National Security, has issued a public notice reminding all residents—citizens and non-citizens—of the requirement to obtain their National, Non-National, or ECOWAS ID Cards by December 30, 2024.
Effective January 1, 2025, the Security Sector will begin conducting ID card checks in communities and at various security checkpoints nationwide.
Heads of state institutions providing services linked to National Identification Numbers (NIN) and ID cards are also urged to enforce compliance with legislation requiring these documents for access to specific services. These include:
– Financial transactions (e.g., banks, forex bureaus, and insurance)
– Vehicle registration and licensing
– Recruitment into public and private institutions
– NASSIT enrollment
– Land and property registration
– Enrollment into educational institutions and public exams
– SIM card registration
– Vital events registration (e.g., birth, death, marriage, divorce, and adoption)
– Immigration services, including resident/work permits
– Business registration and incorporation
The NCRA emphasizes that obtaining ID cards is mandatory and urges the public to visit NCRA offices and centers nationwide to secure their documents. National and Non-National ID cards are compulsory, while ECOWAS ID cards are available on demand.
Foreign residents are advised to obtain their Non-National Identity Cards as mandated by law. The NCRA, in collaboration with the Security Sector, remains committed to ensuring reliable identification of all residents in Sierra Leone and consistency in personal information across government sectors.
The public is reminded that ID cards, which carry unique identification numbers, are the primary source of personal identification in Sierra Leone.
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