This guide covers the official fees, forms, and rules. For a first-person account of the queue, the timing, and what the day itself is actually like, see the companion page below. What to Expect: Getting a Replacement NIC →
Interactive Required Documents Checklist
Select your specific application situation below to see exactly which mandatory documents, conditional proofs, and official forms apply to you:
For school students attaining 15 years applying through their school principal, or private candidates applying through the Grama Niladhari within 1 year of turning 15.
Duly completed Form DRP 1, 7, 8 issued free of charge through Schools, Grama Niladharis, or Divisional Secretariats.
Download Form DRP 1, 7, 8 (PDF)Original Birth Certificate or extract of the birth registry certified by the Additional District Registrar (ADR).
Photo reference slip with unique barcode issued by a DRP-registered studio within the past 6 months. Physical paper photos are not accepted.
Certification by School Principal or Parivenadhipathi (for school applicants) OR residential Grama Niladhari + Divisional Secretary counter-signature (for private candidates).
Required only if original birth certificate is unavailable, accompanied by school leaving certificate or principal's date-of-birth certification.
Category C: Practical / Supporting document. Frequently requested by schools or Grama Niladharis for local administrative records, but NOT an official statutory DRP mandate.
For citizens aged 16 or above applying for their first identity card after more than 1 year from turning 15. Requires statutory late declaration and penalty.
Duly completed Form DRP 1, 7, 8 certified by residential Grama Niladhari and Divisional Secretary.
Download Form DRP 1, 7, 8 (PDF)Official declaration form explaining non-application within 1 year of attaining 15 years and confirming no previous card was issued.
Download Form D.R.P/OP/02/3 (PDF)Original Birth Certificate or extract of birth registry certified by the Additional District Registrar.
Digital photo reference slip with barcode issued by a registered studio within 6 months.
Official receipt proving payment of LKR 2,500 fine paid to the Shroff of the relevant Divisional Secretariat or DRP One-Day counter.
Mandatory physical certification by the residential Grama Niladhari and counter-signature by the Divisional Secretary.
Category B: Conditional Primary. Required by DRP normal service rules if the birth certificate is unavailable, or if delayed registration requires corroborating evidence of name and birth date.
Category C: Practical / Supporting document. Not explicitly listed on the current DRP portal; retained strictly as optional supporting corroboration.
For citizens whose identity card has been lost, stolen, or misplaced. Requires an immediate police entry report.
Form DRP 1, 7, 8 with Cage 10 completed detailing the lost card number and circumstances of loss.
Download Form DRP 1, 7, 8 (PDF)Extract or certified copy of the complaint lodged at the police station in the area where the card was lost.
Original Birth Certificate or extract of birth registry certified by Additional District Registrar.
Digital photo reference slip with barcode issued by a registered studio within 6 months.
Official attestation by residential Grama Niladhari and counter-signature by the Divisional Secretary.
Category C: Practical / Supporting. Helpful to accelerate identity verification and number trace in DRP database, but never legally mandatory.
For cards physically broken, cracked, or where details/photo have degraded. Officially processed under DRP amendment rules at LKR 500 upon physical card surrender.
Form DRP 1, 7, 8 completed for card replacement under Section 17 of Act No. 32 of 1968.
Download Form DRP 1, 7, 8 (PDF)Mandatory physical surrender of the existing damaged or defaced identity card to DRP.
Original Birth Certificate or extract certified by Additional District Registrar.
Digital photo reference slip with barcode issued by a registered studio within 6 months.
Attested by residential Grama Niladhari and counter-signed by the Divisional Secretary.
For citizens altering personal data on their identity card. The existing physical card must be surrendered.
Form DRP 1, 7, 8 with Cage 1 and Cage 3 completed with updated particulars.
Download Form DRP 1, 7, 8 (PDF)The existing identity card must be handed over for cancellation.
Original Birth Certificate or extract certified by Additional District Registrar.
Digital photo reference slip with barcode issued by a registered studio within 6 months.
Under Instruction 6, Grama Niladhari attestation proves residential address without needing extra utility bills.
Category B: Conditional Primary. Strictly required only if a married woman is taking her husband's name or surname.
Category B: Conditional Primary. Strictly required if legal name was altered through a deed poll under Sri Lankan civil law.
Category B: Conditional Primary. Required under Instruction 9.iv strictly if designating or altering profession/occupation in Cage 6 (not older than 6 months).
Category B: Conditional Primary. Required only if residing at a temporary address different from permanent residence.
Download Form D.R.P./OP/02/07 (PDF)Category C: Practical / Supporting. Under Instruction 6, Grama Niladhari attestation suffices; bills are purely optional supporting documents.
For Sri Lankan citizens who acquired dual citizenship under Section 19(2) or 19(3) of Citizenship Act No. 18 of 1948, applying when in Sri Lanka.
Form DRP 1, 7, 8 with Cage 9 completed with Dual Citizenship Certificate details.
Download Form DRP 1, 7, 8 (PDF)Original or certified copy of the Dual Citizenship Certificate issued under Section 19(2) or 19(3) of Citizenship Act No. 18 of 1948.
Copy of bio-data and endorsement pages of the current foreign passport.
Original Birth Certificate or extract certified by Additional District Registrar.
Digital photo reference slip with barcode issued by a registered studio within 6 months.
Previous NIC handed over to DRP with completed Handover Receipt Form DRP/OP/01/2 (under Section 19(2)).
Download Form DRP/OP/01/2 (PDF)Address confirmation attested by Grama Niladhari and Divisional Secretary (address of close relative/friend accepted if no permanent local residence).
Download Form D.R.P./OP/01/04 (PDF)Category B: Conditional Primary. Copy of previous Sri Lankan passport bio-data and endorsement pages, required if held prior to dual citizenship.
Category B: Conditional Primary. Required if applying under husband's name or surname.
Category B: Conditional Primary. Strictly required only if the period between obtaining dual citizenship and applying for NIC exceeds 6 months.
Download Form D.R.P/OP/02/3 (PDF)Category C: Practical / Supporting. Address is officially verified via Form D.R.P./OP/01/04; external utility bills or leases are optional.
Official Fee Schedule & Delivery Options
Revised by the Cabinet of Ministers, effective 1 November 2022. One-Day Service adds an LKR 2,000 surcharge (no postal delivery charge applies):
Fees reflect the official revision effective 1 November 2022. One-Day Service incurs an additional LKR 2,000.00 surcharge above the base application fee (no postage fee applies). Normal service includes a registered post fee of LKR 120.00 where specified on official DRP pages. Photo studio charges are capped at LKR 400.00 under the December 2023 Gazette. DRP does not publish a guaranteed normal delivery timeframe; applicants may inquire at the Front Office after 1 month.
| Application / Service Category | Base DRP Fee | Postage (Normal) | One-Day Surcharge | Total Normal Fee | Total One-Day Fee | Official Delivery Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Time Registration (Age 15–16) | LKR 200.00 | LKR 120.00 | LKR 2,000.00 | LKR 320.00 | LKR 2,200.00 | Normal: Inquire after 1 month | One-Day: Same Day |
| First-Time Registration (Delayed Age 16+) | LKR 200.00 (+ LKR 2,500 penalty) | LKR 120.00 | LKR 2,000.00 | LKR 2,820.00 | LKR 4,700.00 | Normal: Inquire after 1 month | One-Day: Same Day |
| Duplicate of Lost NIC | LKR 1,000.00 | LKR 120.00 | LKR 2,000.00 | LKR 1,120.00 | LKR 3,000.00 | Normal: Inquire after 1 month | One-Day: Same Day |
| Amendment of Particulars (Name / Job / Address) | LKR 500.00 | LKR 120.00 | LKR 2,000.00 | LKR 620.00 | LKR 2,500.00 | Normal: Inquire after 1 month | One-Day: Same Day |
| Replacement of Damaged / Defaced NIC | LKR 500.00 (under Amended NIC) | LKR 120.00 | LKR 2,000.00 | LKR 620.00 | LKR 2,500.00 | Normal: Inquire after 1 month | One-Day: Same Day |
| Dual Citizen NIC (under Section 19(2)) | LKR 200.00 | LKR 120.00 | LKR 2,000.00 | LKR 320.00 | LKR 2,200.00 (+ 2,500 if > 6 mos) | Normal: Inquire after 1 month | One-Day: Same Day |
| Renewal of Expired NIC | LKR 200.00 | LKR 120.00 | LKR 2,000.00 | LKR 320.00 | LKR 2,200.00 | Normal: Inquire after 1 month | One-Day: Same Day |
| ICAO Standard Digital Photo (Studio Cap) | LKR 400.00 (to studio) | N/A | N/A | LKR 400.00 | LKR 400.00 | Instant Photo Reference Slip at registered studio |
Important: ICAO Digital Photograph Standard
Step-by-Step Application Workflow
Follow these verified stages, in order, to complete your NIC application smoothly:
Obtain Application Form
Obtain official Form DRP 1, 7, 8 free of charge from your School (for students), local Grama Niladhari, or Divisional Secretariat ID Card Branch, or download the official PDF from the DRP website. Print on clean A4 paper if downloading online; use blue or black ballpoint pen only.
Visit an ICAO-Registered Photo Studio
Visit an authorized DRP photography studio. The photographer will take your digital photograph compliant with ICAO biometric standards and upload it directly to the DRP system. You will receive a printed Photo Reference Slip with a barcode valid for 6 months. Regulated maximum studio fee is LKR 400.00.
Complete Cages & Attach Required Documents
Fill in the form clearly. Complete Cage 1 in Sinhala or Tamil, Cage 2 in English block letters. Attach your ADR-certified Birth Certificate, ICAO photo slip, and circumstance-specific documents (e.g. Police Report for lost card, or current NIC for amendment). If taking husband's name, attach certified Marriage Certificate. For profession, attach service letter not older than 6 months.
Attestation by Certifying Official
Sign the application in the presence of your certifying officer: School Principal/Parivenadhipathi (for students), Estate Superintendent (for estate residents), or residential Grama Niladhari (for general public). Under Instruction 6, Grama Niladhari attestation serves as official residential verification without requiring separate utility bills.
Divisional Secretariat Counter-Signature
Take the attested application to the ID Card Branch of your Divisional Secretariat for official counter-signature and departmental franking. If paying fines (e.g. LKR 2,500 late penalty), obtain an official receipt from the DS Shroff.
Submit via Normal or One-Day Service
Choose your delivery service: Normal Service (submitted via DS/Grama Niladhari with LKR 120 postage fee) OR One-Day Service (attend Battaramulla Head Office Terminal D or Galle Provincial Office with original documents and pay LKR 2,000 surcharge). For One-Day Service at Battaramulla, attend Terminal D on the 9th Floor between 7:30 AM and 12:30 PM.
Card Processing & Collection
For Normal Service: Card is delivered to your residential address via Registered Post (if not received after 1 month, you may inquire at the Front Office). For One-Day Service: Wait in Terminal C and collect your card at Terminal A upon receiving an SMS alert. Bring your application acknowledgment slip and official photo ID (or passport) when collecting at Terminal A.
DRP Office Network & Service Locations
One-Day Service is available at the Battaramulla Head Office and Galle Provincial Office. Normal applications are accepted at all 335 Divisional Secretariats:
DRP Head Office (Battaramulla)
Prior appointment NOT required (Walk-in: Mon–Fri)9th Floor, "Suhurupaya", Sri Subhuthipura Road, Battaramulla
Southern Provincial Office (Galle)
Prior appointment NOT required (Walk-in: Mon–Fri)Kadawatsatara Divisional Secretariat Premises, Ground Floor, Wakwella Road, Galle
North Western Provincial Office (Kurunegala)
Regional Walk-in Intake (Mon–Fri)3rd Floor, New Commercial Complex, Kurunegala
Northern Provincial Office (Vavuniya)
Regional Walk-in Intake (Mon–Fri)Vavuniya Kachcheri Complex, Vavuniya
Central Provincial Office (Nuwara Eliya)
Regional Walk-in Intake (Mon–Fri)No. 95/26/A, Lady McCallum Road, Hawa Eliya, Nuwara Eliya
Eastern Provincial Office (Batticaloa)
Regional Walk-in Intake (Mon–Fri)Manmunai North Divisional Secretariat Premises, Batticaloa
Divisional Secretariats (335 Island-wide)
Walk-in during public office hours (Mon–Fri)Local Divisional Secretariat of your residential area
Official Forms & Authority Portals
Direct links to official forms and information portals of the Department for Registration of Persons:
Primary Source Verification & Audit Status
Compiled from statutory publications, fee orders, and circulars published byDepartment for Registration of Persons (DRP).
LankaSolve is an independent informational guide and is not affiliated with the Department for Registration of Persons. Official fees, procedures, and processing rules are determined exclusively by DRP Sri Lanka.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statutory age to apply for a National Identity Card in Sri Lanka?
Under the Registration of Persons (Amendment) Act No. 8 of 2016, the statutory age is 15. Every Sri Lankan citizen who turns 15 must apply for an NIC. If you apply more than 1 year after turning 15 (age 16 or older), a statutory delay penalty of LKR 2,500 applies.
Can I paste normal printed photos on my NIC application?
No. Physical pasted photographs are no longer accepted for e-NIC applications. You'll need to visit a DRP-registered photography studio for an ICAO-standard digital photo, which is uploaded directly to the DRP system. The studio gives you a Photo Reference Slip with a barcode, valid for 6 months, to attach to your application. The maximum studio fee is legally capped at LKR 400.
How much does it cost to replace a lost NIC vs. a damaged NIC?
Replacing a lost NIC costs a base fee of LKR 1,000.00 (+ LKR 120 registered post for normal service, or + LKR 2,000 for One-Day Service = LKR 3,000.00 total). Replacing a damaged, defaced, or illegible NIC falls under the amendment tariff: a base fee of LKR 500.00 (+ LKR 120 postage, or + LKR 2,000 for One-Day Service = LKR 2,500.00 total), provided you surrender the damaged physical card to DRP.
How long does normal service take, and how can I track my card?
DRP doesn't publish a guaranteed delivery timeline for normal service. The Front Office at Suhurupaya states that if your normal application has been pending for more than one month, you may visit the Head Office Front Office for prompt processing. Delivery within 4–8 weeks is common in practice, but it is not an official guarantee.
Where is One-Day Service available and what are the hours?
One-Day Service is available at the DRP Head Office in Battaramulla (9th Floor, Suhurupaya) and the Southern Provincial Office in Galle. At Battaramulla, documents are accepted at Terminal D between 7:30 AM and 12:30 PM; you then wait in Terminal C and get an SMS notification when your card is ready for collection at Terminal A.
Can Sri Lankan citizens living abroad apply for an NIC through a Sri Lankan embassy or consulate?
Sri Lankan diplomatic missions abroad don't process or issue National Identity Cards. DRP procedures require physical attestation by a local residential Grama Niladhari (or School Principal/Estate Superintendent) and a counter-signature by a Divisional Secretary in Sri Lanka. Citizens living abroad can get their NIC when visiting Sri Lanka, through normal or One-Day Service.
What documents prove residence if applying through the Grama Niladhari?
Under official DRP application instructions (Instruction 6 of Form DRP 1, 7, 8), if your application is attested by your residential Grama Niladhari, you don't need any additional documents (such as utility bills or deeds) to prove residence. If you're at a temporary address, submit Form D.R.P./OP/02/07 instead.