Background
The General Department of Identification provides national identity card issuance and renewal services through a network of commune/sangkat police posts, district and municipal police stations, and provincial-capital police offices.
Cambodian citizens aged 15 years or older, and those whose national identity card has expired or has less than 180 days remaining validity, are eligible to request free issuance or renewal of the national identity card.
Key Developments
On 14 May 2026 the identification unit attached to the provincial and municipal police in Preah Vihear completed form-filling activities and issued national identity cards to residents to enable use in daily life. The office announcement listed the routine local application points available to citizens, including:
- Police administrative posts at the commune or sangkat of the applicant’s residence;
- Police stations at the city, district, or khan level where the applicant lives;
- Provincial or capital police stations corresponding to the applicant’s residence.
The announcement also identified central service locations for residents of Phnom Penh and other provincial capitals: the central office of national social security (for B.S.S. members), the national identification service points ION2 (Sen Sok) and ION3 (Mean Chey), and the Directorate of National Identification (near Rongsey).
Institutional Role
The General Department of Identification coordinates with police units at local and provincial levels to register applicants and to distribute national identity cards. Police administrative posts and station-level offices function as front-line intake points, while designated service centres in the capital provide consolidated processing for urban residents.
Operational Implications
Citizens who meet the age or validity criteria can submit applications without fees at the listed locations; applicants should present any required supporting documents as requested by the receiving office. For enquiries and service updates, the General Department of Identification recommends the following official channels: Telegram (https://t.me/GDI_service_news), the department website (http://www.gdi.gov.kh/), and telephone hotlines 1271 or 017 898 915 during working hours.
