Civil Documentation in Myanmar

• The Citizenship Scrutiny Card – or “pink card” – allows you to move freely within Myanmar and to travel abroad and return.
• It allows you to vote and to be elected.
• It allows you to register your marriage.
• It allows you to access education (high school and university).
• It allows you to buy and register land/property and sell it.
• It allows you to open a bank account, to apply for a loan, and to have access to any other banking services.
• It allows you to register your vehicle/motorbike and to obtain a driver’s license.
• It allows you to apply for a passport to travel abroad.
• It allow you to have access to legal employment and enjoy just and favorable conditions of work.

First-time applicants aged 18 years or over

Documents needed:

1. Original household list, which includes the applicant’s name, and one copy.
2. Application form no. 2 with the family tree table filled in. The forms are given by the Ministry of Labor, Immigration, and Population (MoLIP).
3. Applicant’s parents’ original identity documents, and copies of each document.
4. Letter of recommendation from the respective Ward/Village Administrator as proof of residence in that Ward/Village.

Applicants aged 10 to 17 years

• The Citizenship Scrutiny Card is issued to people aged 10 years and above only.
• Applicants aged below 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Documents needed:

1. Original household list, which includes the applicant’s name, and one copy.
2. Application form no. 2 with the family tree table filled in. The forms are given by the MoLIP.
3. Original birth certificate OR letter from the child’s school confirming the age of the applicant.  Please note that, for children born in Malaysia, it is important to receive an authentication letter from the Myanmar Embassy in Malaysia to ensure the original birth certificate will be recognized upon return.
4. Applicant’s parents’ original identity documents, and copies of each document.
5. Letter of recommendation from the respective Ward/Village Administrator as proof of residence in that Ward/Village.

Replacing your Citizenship Scrutiny Card at the ages of 18, 30, or 45 years

• When a child turns 18 he/she must apply for a new card.
• Adults must also apply for replacement/renewed cards at or after the age of 30 years and again at 45 years.

Documents needed to replace/renew an existing Citizenship Scrutiny Card:

1. Original household list, which includes the applicant’s name and one copy.
2. Original Citizenship Scrutiny Card currently held by the applicant.
3. Applicant’s parents’ original identity documents, and copies of each document.
4. Letter of recommendation from the respective Ward/Village Administrator as proof of residence in that Ward/Village.

NB. If your parents’ ID cards have been lost or damaged, the applicant will require a statement from a Village Tract 5-person panel to verify their identity. The panel can include the Village Administrator plus representatives from the Police, Departments of Health and Planning, and MoLIP.

A household list is a document with information on the members of the family or household.  This document is given by MoLIP after the head of the household applies in person for it at the MoLIP Township Office.  If the head of household cannot go to the MoLIP Township Office (person with disabilities, chronically ill, or being out of the country), the head of the household can give a letter of authorization to another member of the household who is above 18 years old to apply on the head of the household’s behalf.  The letter must be counter-signed by the Ward/Village Administrator.

(i.e. birth, marriage, divorce, or death)

For all changes to the household list (e.g. adding new family members, removing a deceased family member’s name, moving from one Township to another, etc.), the head of household must apply in person or give a letter of authorization to another member of the household who is above 18 years old to apply on the head of household’s behalf.

If one of the members of the household wants the name to be removed from the household list and apply for their own household list (marriage or divorce), they will need to prove the following:

1. Separate rooms, kitchen, and income.
2. Letter of agreement from the head of household.
3. Original copy of the household list.
4. Recommendation letter from Administrator of respective Ward/Village for evidence of residing in that Ward/Village.

To replace a lost or stolen Citizenship Scrutiny Card, go to the MoLIP Township Office and submit the following documents:

1. Letter signed by the applicant stating what happened to the Citizenship Scrutiny Card (damaged, lost, stolen).
2. If the Citizenship Scrutiny Card is damaged, the damaged card with its original number.
3. An application form with the family tree table filled in.
4. Form/Htwe 4 (for reissuance of a Citizenship Scrutiny Card) including recommendation statements from the Administrator of the Ward/Village where you live as a proof of residence in that Ward/Village and from the Police Station (lost or stolen).
5. Original household list, which includes the applicant’s name.
6. Applicant’s parents’ original identity cards.

NB. If your parents’ ID cards have been lost or damaged, the applicant will require a statement from a Village Tract 5-person Panel to verify their identity. The panel can include the Village Administrator plus representatives from the Police, Departments of Health and Planning, and MoLIP.

• It is each individual’s responsibility to apply for identity documents upon return to Myanmar.
• It is important to bring what documents you have with you when you return, as well as copies of your parents and or grandparents documents, as this may help your application process.
• If you do not already have a household list, you will need to apply for one. Please see the instructions above on how to apply for a household list.
• If a child was born outside Myanmar, it is important to obtain an authentication letter from the Myanmar Embassy in India to ensure the original birth certificate will be recognized upon return.

• Do not unofficially make changes, delete, or add any data to your Citizenship Scrutiny Card.
• Do not change the photo on your Citizenship Scrutiny Card yourself if it is damaged or unclear.
• Do not give your Citizenship Scrutiny Card to others and let them use it.
• Bring your Citizenship Scrutiny Card with you if you travel outside of the township where you live.
• You must report to the police station if your Citizenship Scrutiny Card is lost or stolen and apply with MoLIP for a replacement.
• You may face punitive measures according to the law if you have applied for or obtained more than one Citizenship Scrutiny Card.