Who qualifies to register for a Ghana Card?
All Ghanaian citizens aged zero (0) and above and living in Ghana
All Ghanaians citizens aged zero (0) and above and living outside Ghana
All foreign nationals legally and permanently resident in Ghana
Mandatory requirements for Ghana Card registration
A Birth Certificate issued by the Births and Deaths Registry of Ghana; or
A valid Ghana Passport issued by Government of Ghana; or
An Oath of Identity form(s) obtained through the vouching process; or
Evidence of acquired citizenship such as Naturalization or Registration Certificates.
Digital Address Code of your residence
Applicants are also required to bring along the following Government-issued identity cards or documents if they possess any of them. Please note that these cards or documents do not determine an applicant’s eligibility for a Ghana Card
A practising or retired professional teacher (including principals, headmasters & headteachers)
A Gazetted Chief
A practicing or retired Magistrate or Judge
A practicing or retired licensed Professional e.g. doctor, nurse, lawyer, accountant, engineer, architect etc.
A serving or retired civil/public servant.
A serving or retired Clergyman
An Imam
A Catechist
A serving or retired member of the security services including the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Prison Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service, NIB, Customs, Excise and Preventive Service of the Ghana Revenue Service and National Security
A current or past Member of Parliament, an Assembly or Unit Committee
At a Registration Centre, your mandatory and additional documents will be verified following which a Registration Officer will:
Interview you and assist you to fill an application form
Step 1Capture the personal information on your completed application form onto the National Identity Register (NIR)
Step 2Capture your biometrics (10 fingerprints, irises and photograph) and your signature onto the National Identity Register
Step 3Print out a copy of your captured personal information, hand it over to you to review, confirm and sign or thumbprint. If you notice any inaccurate or incorrect information on the printout, draw the attention of the Registration Officer to correct it
Step 4Print your Ghana Card and issue it to you using your biometrics
Step 5Kindly note that first time registration for a Ghana Card for Ghanaians living in Ghana is free. However, first time registration at an NIA Premium Centre attracts a fee which must be paid at a CalBank branch or using USSD code *771# or CalBank App
- What is the Ghana Card?
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It is a national identity card issued by the National Identification Authority to all Ghanaian citizens living in Ghana and abroad and all legally and permanently resident foreigners in Ghana.
- How much will I pay for a Ghana Card?
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A. Ghanaians living in Ghana
1. For Ghanaians living in Ghana, the first-time registration for a Ghana Card is free. The Ghana Card is free at all NIA District Offices and some Regional Offices.
2. First time registration for the Ghana Card at a Premium Centre, as an institution or a household/group attracts a fee.
3. Replacement of lost, stolen, defaced or damaged cards attracts a fee.
4. The update of personal information of an applicant which requires the printing of a new Ghana Card attracts a fee.
- What is the importance of the Ghana Card?
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The Ghana Card makes it easy to prove your identity or citizenship. With the Ghana Card, accessing services such as health, education, communication, insurance, banking etc. in Ghana will be easier, faster and safer. Ghanaians living abroad who hold a Ghana Card can travel to Ghana without a visa.
- Without the required mandatory registration documents can I still register?
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Yes. If you do not have any of the mandatory registration documents (Birth Certificate or valid Passport or Certificate of Acquired Citizenship or Naturalization document), a relative of yours, aged 18 years and above, who has already registered and been issued with a Ghana Card can vouch for you. If you do not have a relative to vouch for you, two (2) persons aged 18 years and above, who have registered and been issued with the Ghana Card and who know you to be a Ghanaian can vouch for you.
The two (2) persons who are not your relatives must be:
i. A practicing or retired professional teacher (including principals, headmasters and head teachers)
ii. A Gazetted Chief
iii. A practicing or retired Magistrate or a Judge
iv. A practicing or retired licensed Professional e.g. Doctor, Lawyer, Accountant, Engineer etc.
v. A serving or retired Civil Servant
vi. A serving or retired Public Servant
vii. A Clergyman
viii. An Imam
ix. A serving or retired Member of the Security Services including the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service, the National Intelligence Bureau, National Security
x. A current or past Member of Parliament
xi. A current or past Assemblyman
xii. A current or past Member of a Unit Committee - Why is it important to register for the Ghana Card?
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It is important to register to ensure that you are not excluded from the formal economy and from economic, social and political activities in Ghana. The Ghana Card is mandatory for use in all transactions which require an applicant to establish his or her identity. E.g. opening and operating a bank account in Ghana, registering a plot of land in Ghana, applying for a driver’s license in Ghana and for acquiring a Ghanaian passport in/or outside Ghana.
Join millions of Ghanaians and eligible foreigners who are already using the Ghana Card for their day-to-day transactions.
