National Registration Regulations

These Regulations may be cited as the National Registration Regulations.

[Deleted by S 701/2016 wef 01/01/2017]

Subject to paragraph (3), a person who is required to register under the Act —

may apply for registration in accordance with these Regulations at any time within the year that the person attains the age of 15 years; and

must apply for registration in accordance with these Regulations within one year after attaining the age of 15 years (called in this regulation the specified period).

[Deleted by S 701/2016 wef 01/01/2017]

[Deleted by S 847/2020 wef 01/10/2020]

Every person who is required to register under the Act but who was resident outside Singapore during the whole of the specified period must, within one year after the person’s return to Singapore, apply for registration in accordance with these Regulations.

Nothing in this regulation prevents the registration of a person who fails to apply for registration within the time specified in paragraph (1) or (3), as the case may be.

Without prejudice to section 16(1)(a) of the Act, every person who is required to re-register under section 7 of the Act but who has failed to do so before 31st December 1995 shall, as soon as is practicable, apply for re‑registration in accordance with these Regulations.

Subject to paragraph (3), a person who is required to register under the Act —

may apply for registration in accordance with these Regulations at any time within the year that the person attains the age of 15 years; and

must apply for registration in accordance with these Regulations within one year after attaining the age of 15 years (called in this regulation the specified period).

[Deleted by S 701/2016 wef 01/01/2017]

[Deleted by S 847/2020 wef 01/10/2020]

Every person who is required to register under the Act but who was resident outside Singapore during the whole of the specified period must, within one year after the person’s return to Singapore, apply for registration in accordance with these Regulations.

Nothing in this regulation prevents the registration of a person who fails to apply for registration within the time specified in paragraph (1) or (3), as the case may be.

Without prejudice to section 16(1)(a) of the Act, every person who is required to re-register under section 7 of the Act but who has failed to do so before 31st December 1995 shall, as soon as is practicable, apply for re‑registration in accordance with these Regulations.

Every person who applies for registration under regulation 3(1) or (3), or re‑registration under regulation 3(5), 14, 14A or 14B, shall —

subject to paragraph (3), provide to the registration officer an unmounted photograph that complies with the specifications set out in the National Registration (Photographs) Regulations 2017 (G.N. No. S 742/2017);

provide such other personal identifiers as the registration officer may require;

submit to all reasonable steps for the taking or recording of any personal identifier;

surrender his previous identity card, if any;

[Deleted by S 701/2016 wef 01/01/2017]

give the following particulars to the registration officer:

his name or if he is known by different names, each of his names in full;

[Deleted by S 526/2002 wef 30/09/2002]

the full particulars of his place of residence;

his race;

his language or dialect;

his place of birth;

his date of birth and sex;

[Deleted by S 526/2002 wef 30/09/2002]

his status as a citizen of Singapore or other citizenship or national status;

[Deleted by S 526/2002 wef 30/09/2002]

such other particulars as the registration officer may consider necessary; and

produce such documentary evidence as the registration officer may consider necessary to support the accuracy of any particulars submitted.

The registration officer may, in his discretion, endorse, with a stamp or other distinguishing mark, any document produced to him under this regulation.

A person is not required to submit an unmounted photograph under paragraph (1)(a) if the person has, within 3 months immediately preceding the date of the application mentioned in paragraph (1), submitted a photograph under regulation 3(1)(b) of the Passports Regulations 2007 (G.N. No. S 651/2007) that complies with regulation 3(2) of those Regulations.

Every person who applies for registration under regulation 3(1) or (3), or re‑registration under regulation 3(5), 14, 14A or 14B, shall —

subject to paragraph (3), provide to the registration officer an unmounted photograph that complies with the specifications set out in the National Registration (Photographs) Regulations 2017 (G.N. No. S 742/2017);

provide such other personal identifiers as the registration officer may require;

submit to all reasonable steps for the taking or recording of any personal identifier;

surrender his previous identity card, if any;

[Deleted by S 701/2016 wef 01/01/2017]

give the following particulars to the registration officer:

his name or if he is known by different names, each of his names in full;

[Deleted by S 526/2002 wef 30/09/2002]

the full particulars of his place of residence;

his race;

his language or dialect;

his place of birth;

his date of birth and sex;

[Deleted by S 526/2002 wef 30/09/2002]

his status as a citizen of Singapore or other citizenship or national status;

[Deleted by S 526/2002 wef 30/09/2002]

such other particulars as the registration officer may consider necessary; and

produce such documentary evidence as the registration officer may consider necessary to support the accuracy of any particulars submitted.

The registration officer may, in his discretion, endorse, with a stamp or other distinguishing mark, any document produced to him under this regulation.

A person is not required to submit an unmounted photograph under paragraph (1)(a) if the person has, within 3 months immediately preceding the date of the application mentioned in paragraph (1), submitted a photograph under regulation 3(1)(b) of the Passports Regulations 2007 (G.N. No. S 651/2007) that complies with regulation 3(2) of those Regulations.

A person required to make an application or a report mentioned in regulation 3(1), 9(1), 10(1), 11(1), 14(1) or 14A(1) or who wishes to apply for re-registration under regulation 14B(1), may authorise another person to make the application or report mentioned in that regulation on behalf of the firstmentioned person.

The registration officer may issue to the person mentioned in regulation 4 an identity card containing that person’s photograph and such other particulars as the Commissioner considers necessary for the purposes of identification of that person.

Identity cards issued under these Regulations shall be of 2 types; one type being pink in colour for citizens of Singapore and the other being blue in colour for persons who are not citizens of Singapore.

[Deleted by S 701/2016 wef 01/01/2017]

The registration officer may issue to the person mentioned in regulation 4 an identity card containing that person’s photograph and such other particulars as the Commissioner considers necessary for the purposes of identification of that person.

Identity cards issued under these Regulations shall be of 2 types; one type being pink in colour for citizens of Singapore and the other being blue in colour for persons who are not citizens of Singapore.

[Deleted by S 701/2016 wef 01/01/2017]

Subject to the provisions of these Regulations, any person to whom an identity card is issued shall, upon collection of the identity card, be responsible for its custody.

Any registration officer, immigration officer, police officer, officer of customs, officer of the Central Narcotics Bureau or Special Investigator of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (referred to in this regulation as the inspecting officer) and any other officer or class or description of officer authorised in writing in that behalf by the Commissioner, may at any time require any person (not being a person exempted from registration under regulation 22) to produce his identity card for inspection, or to produce it within such time to such person and at such place as the officer requiring its production may think fit.

An inspecting officer may retain any identity card for the purpose of investigations.

Any inspecting officer, or any other officer authorised by the Commissioner, purporting to act under paragraph (1), shall, if so requested by any person from whom he has required the production of an identity card, produce for inspection by the person the written authority under which he purports to be acting.

For the purpose of receiving or considering any application for, or any matter connected with, the citizenship of Singapore as provided in any law for the time being in force relating to the citizenship of Singapore, any public officer or other person having any statutory duty under the provisions of any such law shall have all the powers of an inspecting officer conferred by paragraphs (1) and (2).

Any registration officer, immigration officer, police officer, officer of customs, officer of the Central Narcotics Bureau or Special Investigator of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (referred to in this regulation as the inspecting officer) and any other officer or class or description of officer authorised in writing in that behalf by the Commissioner, may at any time require any person (not being a person exempted from registration under regulation 22) to produce his identity card for inspection, or to produce it within such time to such person and at such place as the officer requiring its production may think fit.

An inspecting officer may retain any identity card for the purpose of investigations.

Any inspecting officer, or any other officer authorised by the Commissioner, purporting to act under paragraph (1), shall, if so requested by any person from whom he has required the production of an identity card, produce for inspection by the person the written authority under which he purports to be acting.

For the purpose of receiving or considering any application for, or any matter connected with, the citizenship of Singapore as provided in any law for the time being in force relating to the citizenship of Singapore, any public officer or other person having any statutory duty under the provisions of any such law shall have all the powers of an inspecting officer conferred by paragraphs (1) and (2).

Any authority to whom a person required to be registered under the Act applies for the grant of any licence, permit or other document or for the exercise of the authority’s lawful functions, may, in its discretion, require the applicant to produce his identity card.

If the applicant does not produce to the authority his identity card or other proof to the satisfaction of the authority that he has been registered under the Act, or exempted from registration under these Regulations, the authority may, in its discretion, defer consideration of the application until the applicant produces either his identity card or such other proof.

Where an invalid identity card has been produced to any authority referred to in paragraph (1), it shall be lawful for the authority to retain such identity card and forward it to the Commissioner for cancellation.

For the purpose of this regulation, “invalid identity card” means an identity card which ceased to be valid under section 7(2) of the Act.

For the purposes of this regulation, a reference to a person required to be registered under the Act includes a reference to a person permitted to re‑register under regulation 14B.

Any authority to whom a person required to be registered under the Act applies for the grant of any licence, permit or other document or for the exercise of the authority’s lawful functions, may, in its discretion, require the applicant to produce his identity card.

If the applicant does not produce to the authority his identity card or other proof to the satisfaction of the authority that he has been registered under the Act, or exempted from registration under these Regulations, the authority may, in its discretion, defer consideration of the application until the applicant produces either his identity card or such other proof.

Where an invalid identity card has been produced to any authority referred to in paragraph (1), it shall be lawful for the authority to retain such identity card and forward it to the Commissioner for cancellation.

For the purpose of this regulation, “invalid identity card” means an identity card which ceased to be valid under section 7(2) of the Act.

For the purposes of this regulation, a reference to a person required to be registered under the Act includes a reference to a person permitted to re‑register under regulation 14B.

Subject to paragraph (1A), where an identity card is lost, destroyed or so defaced that any particulars on the identity card are no longer decipherable, the person to whom the card relates must, within 14 days after the date on which the person becomes aware of that fact, report that fact and apply for a replacement identity card, in the form and manner required by the Commissioner.

If the person mentioned in paragraph (1) is resident outside Singapore at the time that the identity card is lost, destroyed or defaced, the person must, in the form and manner required by the Commissioner —

report the loss, destruction or defacement of the identity card within 14 days after the date on which the person becomes aware of that fact; and

apply for a replacement identity card within 14 days after the person’s return to Singapore.

A replacement identity card may be issued in place of the one lost, destroyed or defaced on such conditions as may be imposed by the Commissioner.

Any person issued with a replacement for a lost identity card and who subsequently recovers possession of the lost identity card shall, within 7 days of its recovery, surrender the recovered identity card to a registration officer for cancellation.

Subject to paragraph (5), any person who finds or comes into possession of an identity card which does not belong to him shall, without undue delay, deliver it to the person to whom it relates or to a registration officer or to a police officer.

Paragraph (4) does not apply to a person who, knowing of the death of another person (called in this paragraph the deceased person), finds or comes into possession of the deceased person’s identity card.

Any person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes paragraph (4) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $3,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

Subject to paragraph (1A), where an identity card is lost, destroyed or so defaced that any particulars on the identity card are no longer decipherable, the person to whom the card relates must, within 14 days after the date on which the person becomes aware of that fact, report that fact and apply for a replacement identity card, in the form and manner required by the Commissioner.

If the person mentioned in paragraph (1) is resident outside Singapore at the time that the identity card is lost, destroyed or defaced, the person must, in the form and manner required by the Commissioner —

report the loss, destruction or defacement of the identity card within 14 days after the date on which the person becomes aware of that fact; and

apply for a replacement identity card within 14 days after the person’s return to Singapore.

A replacement identity card may be issued in place of the one lost, destroyed or defaced on such conditions as may be imposed by the Commissioner.

Any person issued with a replacement for a lost identity card and who subsequently recovers possession of the lost identity card shall, within 7 days of its recovery, surrender the recovered identity card to a registration officer for cancellation.

Subject to paragraph (5), any person who finds or comes into possession of an identity card which does not belong to him shall, without undue delay, deliver it to the person to whom it relates or to a registration officer or to a police officer.

Paragraph (4) does not apply to a person who, knowing of the death of another person (called in this paragraph the deceased person), finds or comes into possession of the deceased person’s identity card.

Any person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes paragraph (4) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $3,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

A person registered under the Act who —

changes his name; or

has in his possession an identity card containing any particulars, other than his address, which are to his knowledge incorrect,shall, within 28 days, report the fact to a registration officer and apply for a replacement identity card with the correct particulars.

A registration officer, if satisfied that any person who —

reports any change of name under paragraph (1), has in fact changed his name; or

reports that any particulars on his identity card, other than his address, are incorrect,may issue him a replacement identity card.

A registration officer or a police officer may, in his discretion, require a person in possession of an identity card which, in the opinion of the registration officer or police officer, is in any way unsatisfactory for the purpose of the identification of that person to surrender the card and apply for the issue of a replacement identity card.

A person registered under the Act who —

changes his name; or

has in his possession an identity card containing any particulars, other than his address, which are to his knowledge incorrect,shall, within 28 days, report the fact to a registration officer and apply for a replacement identity card with the correct particulars.

A registration officer, if satisfied that any person who —

reports any change of name under paragraph (1), has in fact changed his name; or

reports that any particulars on his identity card, other than his address, are incorrect,may issue him a replacement identity card.

A registration officer or a police officer may, in his discretion, require a person in possession of an identity card which, in the opinion of the registration officer or police officer, is in any way unsatisfactory for the purpose of the identification of that person to surrender the card and apply for the issue of a replacement identity card.

Upon the issue of an identity card (including a replacement identity card), the Commissioner or a registration officer shall, by notice in writing, inform the person to whom the identity card is issued to collect the identity card and surrender any previous identity card within such time and in such manner as may be specified in the notice.

A registration officer may, by notice in writing, cancel any identity card that is not collected within the period specified in paragraph (1).

The fee payable in respect of an identity card that is cancelled under paragraph (2) shall not be refunded.

Upon the issue of an identity card (including a replacement identity card), the Commissioner or a registration officer shall, by notice in writing, inform the person to whom the identity card is issued to collect the identity card and surrender any previous identity card within such time and in such manner as may be specified in the notice.

A registration officer may, by notice in writing, cancel any identity card that is not collected within the period specified in paragraph (1).

The fee payable in respect of an identity card that is cancelled under paragraph (2) shall not be refunded.

A report of change of residence under section 10 of the Act shall be in such form and manner as the Commissioner may require.

The form, if sent by post, shall be post-free.

Where the Commissioner amends the register in relation to a person’s residence after receiving a report of change of residence under section 10 of the Act, the Commissioner must send to the person a label stating the new residence (called in these Regulations a new address label) for affixing on the person’s identity card, or cause a new address label to be affixed on the person’s identity card.

A report of change of residence under section 10 of the Act shall be in such form and manner as the Commissioner may require.

The form, if sent by post, shall be post-free.

Where the Commissioner amends the register in relation to a person’s residence after receiving a report of change of residence under section 10 of the Act, the Commissioner must send to the person a label stating the new residence (called in these Regulations a new address label) for affixing on the person’s identity card, or cause a new address label to be affixed on the person’s identity card.

A person who has received a new address label under regulation 11(3) must, as soon as practicable after receiving the new address label, affix it, or cause it to be affixed, on the person’s identity card.

[Deleted by S 410/2022 wef 29/05/2022]

Any person registered under the Act —

who intends to leave Singapore permanently;

who ceases to be a citizen of Singapore; or (c)[Deleted by S 745/2025 wef 01/12/2025]

whose entry permit has been cancelled under the Immigration Act 1959,shall surrender his identity card to a registration officer or, in exceptional circumstances, to an immigration officer or to a diplomatic or consular officer of the Government of Singapore in a foreign country —

within 14 days of the date of his intended departure, if he is leaving Singapore permanently; or

immediately, after ceasing to be a citizen of Singapore or after the cancellation of his entry permit.

Any officer to whom any identity card is surrendered by any person under paragraph (1) shall issue a receipt to the person in such form as the Commissioner may determine.

Any person registered under the Act —

who intends to leave Singapore permanently;

who ceases to be a citizen of Singapore; or (c)[Deleted by S 745/2025 wef 01/12/2025]

whose entry permit has been cancelled under the Immigration Act 1959,shall surrender his identity card to a registration officer or, in exceptional circumstances, to an immigration officer or to a diplomatic or consular officer of the Government of Singapore in a foreign country —

within 14 days of the date of his intended departure, if he is leaving Singapore permanently; or

immediately, after ceasing to be a citizen of Singapore or after the cancellation of his entry permit.

Any officer to whom any identity card is surrendered by any person under paragraph (1) shall issue a receipt to the person in such form as the Commissioner may determine.

Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), any person who —

has been registered under the Act; and

attains the age of 30 years on or after 1 January 2002,must, within one year after attaining the age of 30 years (called in this regulation the specified period), apply for re‑registration in accordance with these Regulations.

Paragraph (1) does not apply to a person who has been issued with an identity card or a replacement identity card within 10 years immediately before the person attains the age of 30 years.

Where a person mentioned in paragraph (1) —

proves to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that the person will be resident outside of Singapore during the whole of the specified period — the person may apply for re-registration in accordance with these Regulations at any time within the period of one year immediately before the date on which the person attains the age of 30 years; or

resides outside Singapore during the whole of the specified period — the person must, within one year after the person’s return to Singapore, apply for re-registration in accordance with these Regulations.

Nothing in this regulation prevents the re‑registration of a person who fails to apply for re‑registration within the time specified in paragraph (1) or (3), as the case may be.

Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), any person who —

has been registered under the Act; and

attains the age of 30 years on or after 1 January 2002,must, within one year after attaining the age of 30 years (called in this regulation the specified period), apply for re‑registration in accordance with these Regulations.

Paragraph (1) does not apply to a person who has been issued with an identity card or a replacement identity card within 10 years immediately before the person attains the age of 30 years.

Where a person mentioned in paragraph (1) —

proves to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that the person will be resident outside of Singapore during the whole of the specified period — the person may apply for re-registration in accordance with these Regulations at any time within the period of one year immediately before the date on which the person attains the age of 30 years; or

resides outside Singapore during the whole of the specified period — the person must, within one year after the person’s return to Singapore, apply for re-registration in accordance with these Regulations.

Nothing in this regulation prevents the re‑registration of a person who fails to apply for re‑registration within the time specified in paragraph (1) or (3), as the case may be.

Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), any person who —

has been registered under the Act; and

attains the age of 55 years on or after 1 January 2017,must, within one year after attaining the age of 55 years (called in this regulation the specified period), apply for re‑registration in accordance with these Regulations.

Paragraph (1) does not apply to a person who has been issued with an identity card or a replacement identity card within 10 years immediately before the person attains the age of 55 years. (3) Where a person mentioned in paragraph (1) —

proves to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that the person will be resident outside of Singapore during the whole of the specified period — the person may apply for re-registration in accordance with these Regulations at any time within the period of one year immediately before the date on which the person attains the age of 55 years; or

resides outside Singapore during the whole of the specified period — the person must, within one year after the person’s return to Singapore, apply for re-registration in accordance with these Regulations.

Nothing in this regulation prevents the re‑registration of a person who fails to apply for re‑registration within the time specified in paragraph (1) or (3), as the case may be.

Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), any person who —

has been registered under the Act; and

attains the age of 55 years on or after 1 January 2017,must, within one year after attaining the age of 55 years (called in this regulation the specified period), apply for re‑registration in accordance with these Regulations.

Paragraph (1) does not apply to a person who has been issued with an identity card or a replacement identity card within 10 years immediately before the person attains the age of 55 years.

Where a person mentioned in paragraph (1) —

proves to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that the person will be resident outside of Singapore during the whole of the specified period — the person may apply for re-registration in accordance with these Regulations at any time within the period of one year immediately before the date on which the person attains the age of 55 years; or

resides outside Singapore during the whole of the specified period — the person must, within one year after the person’s return to Singapore, apply for re-registration in accordance with these Regulations.

Nothing in this regulation prevents the re‑registration of a person who fails to apply for re‑registration within the time specified in paragraph (1) or (3), as the case may be.