It’s holiday season for many, and quite a few people realise at the last minute that their ID card or passport has expired, making them unable to travel.
Passports
To submit an application, the physical presence of the applicant is required. The process includes collecting biometric data (photograph and fingerprints) as well as the applicant’s signature. Minors under the age of 12 are exempt from providing fingerprints and a signature.
Biometric data is collected by specially trained and authorised officers. Applicants may also bring a photograph, which must meet the required specifications. For personal data protection purposes, the fingerprints collected are deleted within 48 hours after the passport is issued.
If the application is submitted by a person who has acquired Cypriot citizenship through naturalisation or registration and has not yet obtained an ID card, the application must be accompanied by the original foreign birth certificate (if the applicant was born abroad) and the original certificate of naturalisation or registration.
If the application is for a minor, it must be completed and signed by both parents/guardians in the presence of the receiving officer. If one parent/guardian is abroad, the application may be signed by the parent/guardian in the Republic and must be accompanied by written consent from the parent/guardian abroad, clearly stating permission to issue a passport for their minor child. This consent must be certified before a Consular Officer at a Consular Authority of the Republic.
If one parent/guardian has sole parental care of the minor, the relevant Family Court Order must be submitted with the application.
In case of loss or theft of the passport, a police report must be filed, along with a sworn affidavit submitted to the court. These documents must be presented with the application. The same conditions apply for minors.
Fees
- Issuance/renewal of adult passport: €70
- Issuance/renewal of minor’s passport: €45
- Expedited issuance/renewal of adult passport: €120 (€70 fee + €50 surcharge)
- Expedited issuance/renewal of minor’s passport: €95 (€45 fee + €50 surcharge)
- Replacement due to loss, damage, or theft: Double the standard fee for the first time, and double the previous fee for each subsequent replacement.
Passport issuance and collection
All passports are issued at the central offices of the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia. You may collect your passport only from the office where the application was submitted.
The standard processing time is approximately 10 working days. However, this may increase depending on application volumes, system upgrades, maintenance procedures, etc.
Passports are valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors.
ID cards
Procedure
The issuance of ID cards is governed by the Civil Registry Law. Under current legislation, obtaining and holding an ID card is mandatory for any citizen of the Republic aged 12 or above, and optional for younger children.
Applications must be submitted in person at designated service points, using the prescribed form.
The process involves the collection of biometric data (photo and fingerprints) and the applicant’s signature. Minors under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting and signing. Data is collected by specially trained and authorised staff. Applicants may bring a photo, which must meet required specifications (see the relevant guidelines).
Fingerprints collected are deleted within 48 hours of issuing the ID card for personal data protection purposes.
If the application is made by someone who acquired Cypriot citizenship through naturalisation or registration and does not yet hold an ID card, the application must include the original foreign birth certificate (if born abroad) and the original certificate of naturalisation or registration.
If the application concerns a minor under 12, it must be completed and signed by both parents/guardians before the receiving officer. If one parent/guardian is abroad, the application may be completed and signed by the parent/guardian in the Republic and accompanied by written consent from the parent/guardian abroad, explicitly allowing the issuance of the ID card for their minor child. This consent must be certified before a Consular Officer at a Consular Authority of the Republic.
If one parent/guardian has sole custody, the Family Court Order confirming this must be included with the application.
If the application is for a minor over 12, it may be signed by one or both parents/guardians.
In case of loss or theft of the ID card, a police report and sworn affidavit must be submitted with the application. The same conditions apply for minors.
Fees
- Issuance/renewal of adult ID card: €30
- Issuance/renewal of minor’s ID card: €20
ID card issuance and collection
All ID cards are issued at the central offices of the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia.
Validity period of ID cards
ID cards are valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors.
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