Background
On 20 March 2026, the Siem Reap Provincial Police, acting under high-level guidance from the National Police Commissioner, conducted an inspection and operational visit related to the provision of Cambodian national identity cards. Major General Huot Sothea, Siem Reap Provincial Police Commissioner, tasked Deputy Commissioner Nea Eng Vanny to lead a technical team, in cooperation with the Siem Reap Municipal Police, to process national ID cards for residents.
The operational site for this activity was the Land Traffic Police Office located in Slor Kram village, Slor Kram commune, Siem Reap city, Siem Reap province. The announcement also sets out the documentary requirements for obtaining, updating, and renewing Cambodian national identity cards.
Scope of Application
The information applies to Cambodian citizens who:
- Apply for a Cambodian national identity card for the first time.
- Need to update data on an existing ID card, including those who have left the Buddhist monkhood.
- Hold Cambodian national identity cards that have expired or will expire in less than 180 days (six months) and need renewal.
The procedures are applicable to residents under the jurisdiction of Siem Reap provincial and municipal police, with processing currently conducted at the Land Traffic Police Office in Slor Kram.
Key Provisions or Decisions
The announcement clarifies the documentary requirements and procedural points for Cambodian national identity card services as follows:
- First-time national ID applications:
- Copy of birth certificate or copy of birth confirmation certificate.
- Residence book or family book (confirming legal registration) or a residence confirmation letter.
- For Cambodian citizens currently serving as monks or pagoda residents in Buddhism, additional documents are required: monk identification (Chaya), Sangha decision, or certification letter.
- Data changes for former monks:
- Individuals who have left the Buddhist monkhood must request a change of data on their Cambodian national identity card.
- The update must include new photograph and updated address information.
- Renewal of expired or soon-to-expire ID cards:
- Holders of Cambodian national identity cards that are expired or have less than 180 days (six months) of validity remaining are requested to complete renewal procedures.
- Required documents include the expired national identity card.
- In cases of address change, applicants must attach supporting documentation such as a residence book or family book confirming legal registration, or a residence confirmation letter.
- Contact information: For detailed information, the public may contact the following phone numbers: 078 246 501, 078 250 025, 095 880 025, 012 690 691, and 078 918 918.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
The clarification of procedures and document requirements for Cambodian national identity cards in Siem Reap supports more predictable administrative processes for civil registration and identification. For employers, service providers, and institutions that rely on valid national ID cards for hiring, customer verification, or service delivery, the guidance indicates the conditions under which citizens may update or renew their identification, including in cases of address change or change of religious status.
The reminder on renewal timelines (when validity is below 180 days) helps reduce the incidence of expired identification documents, which can affect access to formal employment, banking, telecommunications, and other regulated services that require current ID verification.
Official Source
The information is based on a public announcement by the National Police of Cambodia referencing activities and guidance of the Siem Reap Provincial Police and National Police leadership, as published via the official National Police communication channels.
