NRIC

NRIC — National registration identity card in Singapore. Every Singapore citizen and Permanent resident receives an NRIC. It has a unique code assigned to the document that is required among other things for online registration. NRIC holders do not need Nominee Directors when incorporating a company in Singapore.

Do I need an NRIC?

The government agency responsible for the national registry is the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), a department under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It issues the ids for any registered persons. If you are one of them, you will need to be in custody of your NRIC at all times. It doesn’t mean necessarily that you must carry it on you at all times. You do need to produce it for operations such as opening bank account, checking into a hotel, as well as for voting, etc.

What you need to know about NRIC

There are fines of up to S$5,000 or imprisonment for up to 5 years (or both) for offences regarding the use or misuse of NRIC. These include:

• failure to register when required
• providing a false address, for example, a PO box, or a residential address that is not connected to you
• having more than one identity cards without a justifiable reason
• depraving another person form an NRIC without the right to do so
• destroying or mutilating your NRIC For forgery and fraud the punishment can be up to 10 years in prison, S$10,000 fine, or both.

What does the NRIC number mean?

The NRIC number structure actually reveals information about its holder. The first letter stands for Singapore-born (letters S or T, depending on whether the citizen was born before or after the year 2000) or a foreigner (F or G, also divided by the year 2000). Apart from the status, the number also shows the year of birth for the residents born after the year 1968.

How to get my Singapore NRIC replaced?

If you lose your NRIC you need to apply for a replacement in person at the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). If you can’t do it personally you must inform ICA of the loss by email. The fee for the first loss replacement is $100 and $300 if you happen to need it again.

When do I have to renew NRIC?

If you are a Singapore citizen or a PR (permanent resident), you get your first NRIC at the age of 15. After that NRIC renewals happen when you are 30 and 55. Every time you do that you will need to pay the fee of S$10.

What if I need to change my address on NRIC?

The NRIC Singapore laws require that you report the change of your address in no more than 28 days after you move to a new place. There is no fee for a NRIC address change in Singapore.

Where can I change my NRIC address?

According to IRAS you can update your personal particulars at the ICA or at the nearest Police and Posts Centres.