A digital leap towards less bureaucracy and better citizen access
The second phase of digitalisation for Cyprus’s Civil Registry services has been completed, with six new services now accessible via the government portal Gov.cy. Citizens can now apply online for the issuance or renewal of ID cards and passports for minors, refugee identity cards, and even request genealogical searches to locate relatives. This initiative is part of the Government’s broader digital transformation plan, aimed at reducing bureaucracy and simplifying services for citizens both in Cyprus and abroad.
According to a press release, these six new digital services—developed by the Digital Services Factory team of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy—are now fully operational on the Gov.cy platform.
The new services include:
- Issuance/renewal of ID cards and passports for minors,
- Issuance/renewal of ID cards and passports for adults and minors due to loss or damage,
- Issuance of passports for adults and minors via fast-track processing,
- Issuance of refugee identity cards,
- Application for refugee (displaced person) status, and
- Genealogical searches through the Civil Registry to locate relatives.
With the exception of ID and passport services—which require an in-person visit to a service point for biometric data collection—all other services can be completed entirely online. It is worth noting that the first wave of services, introduced in June 2024, included reissuance of birth and death certificates, consular birth and death certificates, applications for issuance or renewal of ID cards and passports for adults, permanent residence certificates, and origin verification certificates for students.
Through the ongoing digitalisation of Civil Registry services, Cypriot citizens—both domestically and abroad—are gaining the ability to access services quickly, easily, and without unnecessary hassle or delays. The goal is to reduce redundant bureaucracy and shorten service times, building a modern, citizen-friendly state that meaningfully and effectively improves day-to-day interactions with the public sector.
Also read: Digital Citizen app launches today – What’s included
Source: Economy Today
