Background
The General Department of Identification (GDI) manages the administrative system for issuing and renewing Khmer national identity cards in coordination with police units and designated service centers. Official application points for national identity cards include commune administrative police posts, district and municipal police stations, provincial police headquarters and designated GDI service centers such as ION2 (Sensok) and ION3 (Mean Chey).
Khmer citizens aged 15 years or older are eligible to apply for a national identity card. Applications for new identity cards and renewals are provided free of charge to Khmer citizens aged 15 or older and to cardholders whose documents have expired or have fewer than 180 days (six months) remaining in validity.
Key Developments
On 9 October 2026, GDI-related identity teams and provincial police units in Preah Vihear completed application forms to issue national identity cards to Buddhist clergy and to renew card validity for residents. The public notice reiterates that residents may submit applications at local commune administrative police posts or at district/municipal police stations in their place of residence.
Institutional Role
The General Department of Identification serves as the central administrative authority for identity-card services and publishes approved locations for in-person applications. Provincial and municipal police stations are operational partners that accept applications and process forms at the local level, while designated GDI service centers and the GDI central office provide centralized service points for urban and special-case applicants.
Operational Implications
Residents seeking new identity cards or renewals should present themselves at the listed local police or GDI service centers; members of the national social security scheme may also use the central social security office for certain services. The announcement provides public contact channels for questions: GDI Telegram channel (https://t.me/GDI_service_news), the GDI website (http://www.gdi.gov.kh/), and free information hotlines 1271 or 017 898 915.
