Djibouti: Requirements and procedure to follow to obtain a national identity card, including identity documents required, the authorities who issue them, the validity period and the circumstances in which they are used in Djibouti (2014-June 2016)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Publication Date | 31 August 2016 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | DJI105552.FE |
| Related Document(s) | Djibouti : information sur les exigences et la marche à suivre pour obtenir une carte nationale d'identité, y compris sur les pièces d'identité exigées, les autorités qui la délivrent, sa durée de validité et les circonstances dans lesquelles elle est utilisée à Djibouti (2014-juin 2016) |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Djibouti: Requirements and procedure to follow to obtain a national identity card, including identity documents required, the authorities who issue them, the validity period and the circumstances in which they are used in Djibouti (2014-June 2016), 31 August 2016, DJI105552.FE, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58a5aaf44.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa
1. Overview
An article from the Djiboutian daily La Nation states that on 13 August 2014, the Minister of the Interior of Djibouti informed the public of the official launch of the digital identity card, established by presidential decree published on 8 December 2009 (La Nation 18 Aug. 2014). Furthermore, La Nation states that the Director of the Population and Family Branch (Direction générale de la population et de la famille) [under the Ministry of the Interior (lawyer 29 June 2016)] stated that on [translation] "31 December 2015, all Djiboutian citizens should have their digital identity card" (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
According to La Nation,
[translation]
the modern digital card is made of plastic, has several polycarbonate laminated layers and contains personalized data, engraved elements and compulsory references for protection against any kind of manipulation. (ibid.)
The website of the Population and Family Branch indicates that the front of the identity card contains the following elements:
- Photograph
- Surname and first name(s)
- Date and place of birth
- Signature
- Indication of Djiboutian nationality (Djibouti n.d.b).
Sources state that the identity card currently in use has a validity period of 10 years (lawyer 29 June 2016; Djibouti 29 June 2016; La Nation 18 Aug. 2014).
Information on the national identity card issued before the 2014 reform introducing the digital identity card could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
2. Requirements and Procedure to Obtain a National Identity Card
In correspondence sent to the Research Directorate, a representative of the Embassy of Djibouti in Washington stated that national identity cards are issued to citizens aged 18 and up (Djibouti 29 June 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
2.1 Issuing Authorities
In correspondence sent to the Research Directorate, a lawyer in Djibouti stated that, [translation] "one must contact the Population Branch [within the Ministry of the Interior] to obtain a national identity card" (lawyer 29 June 2016). Similarly, the Representative of the Embassy of Djibouti in Washington stated that the Ministry of the Interior issues the national identity cards in Djibouti (Djibouti 29 June 2016).
2.2 Documents Required
The website of the Population and Family Branch states that, to obtain a national identity card, the applicant must provide the following documents:
- Identity document from two parents or one of two parents; if one parent is deceased, death certificate of that parent
- Four identification photographs of the applicant
- Original birth certificate (issued within three months)
- If applicant is/was married, marriage certificate and birth certificate of children, if possible
- for obtaining nationality if applicant is not Djiboutian by birth ([a]cquisition)
- If applicant is attending or did attend school, school diploma, report or school card
- If applicant is employed, a business person, etc., supporting documentation is required
[…] - NB: In certain cases, presenting additional documents may be required (Djibouti n.d.a).
La Nation reports that the Director of the Population and Family Branch stated during an interview with the daily that the documentation to be provided by applicants of the new identity card includes: the former national identity card, four identity photos, 2,000 Djiboutian francs (DJF) [about C$15] [translation] "for procedural fees," and "any other supporting documentation attesting to a change in marriage, status or address" (La Nation 18 Aug. 2014). Similarly, the website of the Population and Family Branch states that the issuance fees for renewing an identity card are 2,000 DJF, but that they are 2,700 DJF for individuals being issued the card for the first time (Djibouti n.d.b).
The Representative of the Embassy of Djibouti in Washington stated that the applicant must present their birth certificate and the identity card of one of their parents (Djibouti 29 June 2016). He stated that this card must show that the parent is a Djiboutian citizen (ibid.).
2.3 Other Requirements
The following information is indicated on the website of the Population and Family Branch:
[translation]
- The applicant must appear in person accompanied by a legal representative who must present their original identity card and provide their fingerprint on the card application folder.
- Fingerprints: Associating the identity photograph with the fingerprints enables administrators to verify that an identity card holder is in fact the holder for administrative controls.
- Identity card set-up fees are payable in cash at the deposit window (Djibouti n.d.a).
2.4 Processing Time
The Population and Family Branch website states that,
[translation]
[i]t generally takes three to four weeks following the submission of an application before an applicant may obtain their identity card at the window in the 2nd district upon presentation of a receipt. (Djibouti n.d.a)
According to La Nation, the Director of the Population and Family Branch stated during his interview with the daily that [translation] "the digital card may be obtained at the same deposit window within 15 to 30 days after the file is submitted" (La Nation 18 Aug. 2014).
3. Application for National Identity Card from Abroad
The Representative from the Embassy of Djibouti in Washington stated that the national identity card is not issued abroad, adding that the applicant "needs to be present in person in Djibouti to request and receive the national ID card" (Djibouti 29 June 2016).
However, according to La Nation, with respect to switching from the former identity card to the new digital card, the Director of the Population and Family Branch stated that it would become possible to obtain the digital card abroad, adding that, [translation] "[w]ith respect to North America, the city of Montréal was retained" (18 Aug. 2014). Information on the possibility of obtaining a national identity card outside of Djibouti today could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
4. Use of the National Identity Card
According to the Lawyer,
[translation]
[t]he national identity card is required in order to obtain a passport and apply for civil service jobs and elected positions (member of parliament, regional advisor or President of the Republic). (lawyer 29 June 2016)
According to the Representative of the Embassy of Djibouti in Washington, a Djibouti national must be in possession of their national identity card "to receive services from the government of Djibouti or the private sector" (Djibouti 29 June 2016). According to that same source, the national identity card of a parent must be provided for the issuance of a newborn's birth certificate, in Djibouti or abroad (ibid.).
Further information on the use of the national identity card in Djibouti could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Djibouti. 29 June 2016. Embassy in Washington. Correspondence sent to the Research Directorate by an official.
Djibouti. N.d.a. Direction générale de la population et de la famille. "Démarche à suivre." [Accessed 30 June 2016]
Djibouti. N.d.b. Direction générale de la population et de la famille. "La carte d'identité numérique est valable dix ans, mais, même périmée, elle permet à son titulaire de justifier de son identité sur le territoire national, à condition que la photographie soit ressemblante." [Accessed 5 July 2016]
La Nation. 18 Aug. 2014. "Lancement de la carte d'identité numérique : Entretien avec … Idriss Miguil Bouh Directeur de la Population et de la Famille au Ministère de l'Intérieur." [Accessed 30 June 2016]
Lawyer in Djibouti. 29 June 2016. Correspondence sent to the Research Directorate.
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: Lawyers in Djibouti; Djibouti – Embassy in Bruxelles, Embassy in Paris, Honorary Consul in Montréal.
Internet sites, including: Djibnet.com; Djibouti – Djibouti Ports & Free Zones Authority, Présidence de la République; Dijboutination.com; ecoi.net; EdisonTD; European Union – Public Register of Authentic Identity and Travel Documents Online; Factiva; Keesing Reference Systems; United Nations – Refworld.
