Singapore Identity Card (IC) Application Guide

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Singapore’s identity card (IC), or the National Registration Identity Card (NRIC), is an essential identification document issued by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) for citizens and permanent residents of Singapore.

This guideline will provide detailed instructions to the Singapore IC, including the application process and required documents.

Singapore Identity Card Essential Rules
IC Types in Singapore
How to Apply For a Singapore IC: Step-by-step
Documents Required for Singapore IC Application
Singapore ID Photo Size & Other Requirements
Get a Singapore IC and Passport Photo Online!
Singapore IC Photo App
Singapore IC Fees
Singapore IC Validity and Renewal

Singapore Identity Card Essential Rules

Every Singaporean citizen and permanent resident gets an Identity Card, which they need for official uses like government paperwork, opening bank accounts, and other important transactions.

Each IC has a unique nine-digit number that is vital for identifying each citizen and permanent resident in Singapore. The IC also contains important data like the cardholder’s name, date of birth, gender, race, and home address.

By law, if you are a Singaporean citizen or a permanent resident, you must apply for an IC when you turn 15, and get it before your 16th birthday. Then, everyone must update their IC when they turn 30, before their 31st birthday, and if they were born after 1962, and have not updated their IC in the past 10 years.

If there’s any change or mistake in the information on your IC (except your address), you must inform the ICA within 28 days to get a new card. A change of address does not need a new card, but you must tell the ICA within 28 days.

IC Types in Singapore

The Singapore IC is a small, credit card-sized polycarbonate card. There are two types of IC cards: Pink Card, issued to Singapore citizens, and Blue Card, issued to permanent residents.

Only Singaporean citizens and permanent residents can get an NRIC. For foreigners holding Long-Term passes in Singapore, there is a “Foreign Identification Number”(FIN), which is a Singapore ID for foreigners. The FIN looks similar to an NRIC number and can be used across different types of long-term passes. The FIN stays valid for life unless the foreigner becomes a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, at which point they get an NRIC number instead.

How to Apply For a Singapore IC: Step-by-step

Here's how to apply for Singapore IC for a child and an adult.

Singapore IC for 15-year-olds

For Those in Government or Government-Aided Schools:

You will get a notice to register for your IC two weeks before your scheduled biometrics enrollment at school.
Fill out the online application form on the e-services website before the appointment date given in the notification.
Make sure to bring your Student Identification Card (Ez-Link Card).

For Those Not in Government or Government-Aided Schools:

You will get a notice to register for your IC on your 15th birthday.
Complete the online registration process on the e-services website.
Schedule an appointment with ICA for biometrics.
Bring your Student Identification Card (Ez-Link Card) for identity verification.

If you register at school, you will receive your IC at school through arranged channels.

If you did not register at school, schedule an appointment for the next working day to collect your IC at specific post offices.

Singapore IC for 30 / 55-year-olds

If you are an eligible Singapore citizen or permanent resident, you will get a notification letter from ICA in the mail. After you receive this letter, you have one year for your Singapore IC renewal.

To re-register, log in to the e-Service using your Singpass and complete the online application form as instructed in the notification from ICA.

Please note that your IC will be held for three months from the registration date. If you do not collect it within this period, it will be destroyed, and you will need to reapply for a new one.

Documents Required for Singapore IC Application

For the Singapore IC application, you will need to provide the following documents in digital format:

For Singapore Citizens:

Baptism or Religious Certificate (if you want to include a religious name)
Marriage certificate (if applicable, and if you wish to include your married name).
A recent passport-sized, color photo.
Additional documents for minors (under 21 years old):
- Deed Poll for a name change, with consent from both parents (and legal guardian(s), if applicable). If only one parent or legal guardian agrees, they must submit a Court Order that gives them the authority to change the minor's details alone in the online application, if possible. Otherwise, submit the Court Order and a completed declaration form via the IC Unit’s inquiry form after the application is submitted.

For Singapore Permanent Residents:

The pages of your current passport showing your personal details (including the new name, if applicable).
Marriage certificate (if applicable, and if you wish to include your married name).
A recent passport-sized, color photo.
If you are a Singapore permanent resident and have changed your name, you must first update your name on your current passport and provide a copy of the passport with your new name to support the change on your IC.

Singapore ID Photo Size & Other Requirements

The photo you submit for your Singapore ID must meet the international standards set by the International Standards Organization (ISO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Here are the criteria:

The Singapore IC size photo should be 35×45 mm. Your face height in the picture must be between 32 mm and 36 mm, making up 70% to 80% of the photograph.
The digital photo should measure 400×514 pixels. The file format must be JPG or JPEG and no larger than 2 MB.
If you're submitting a hard copy, it should be printed on matte or semi-matte paper.
The background must be plain white.
Maintain a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed. Look directly at the camera in a relaxed and natural pose.
The photo must be in color and taken within the last three months.
Your head should be centered in the photo, with your entire head, hair, and shoulders visible.
Ensure even lighting and contrast without shadows.
Colored contact lenses are not allowed. Make sure there is no red eye.
Glasses are allowed, but they must not obscure your face with frames, glare, or colored lenses.
No headgear is allowed, except for religious or racial reasons. If worn, it must not cover facial features and should contrast with the white background.

Here is an example:

Get a Singapore IC and Passport Photo Online!

Wondering where to take an IC photo in Singapore? Easily get a professional picture for your Singapore IC and passport at home with Visafoto.com. This photo editing service boasts an impressive 99.7% approval rate.

Just snap a picture against a plain white background using your phone or digital camera, then upload it to Visafoto.com. The service will adjust the image size, format, background color, and face positioning to ensure it meets official requirements.

You'll receive both a digital version for online submissions and a print-ready version. This process saves you time and money since you can reuse the digital photo for multiple documents. If the photo is not accepted, we offer a full refund.

Upload photo & Continue

Take an image with a smartphone or camera against any background, upload it here, and instantly get a professional photo for your visa, passport, or ID:

You will get 2 types of photos: for online submission and for printing on 4x6" paper:

Singapore IC Photo App

For an even simpler solution, try the 7ID App from Visafoto.com. This user-friendly app is designed to help you create ID, passport, and visa photos using your smartphone, working on both iPhone and Android devices.

Just upload your photo to 7ID, select the type of document and country, and the app will automatically adjust your photo to meet Singapore IC requirements. You'll receive a digital file and a print template that fits standard paper sizes like 4×6, A4, A5, or B5.

For the best quality, use the 7ID's Expert Tool, which employs advanced algorithms to enhance your photos regardless of the background. If you need assistance, our technical support team is available 24/7.

In addition, 7ID offers free QR and barcode storage, free PIN code storage, and a free signature maker, adding even more value to its service.

Singapore IC Fees

The fee for obtaining a Singapore IC is S $10 (approx. US $7.5) for Singapore citizens and S$50 (approx. US $37) for Singapore permanent residents.

If you lose your IC, the Singapore IC replacement cost is S $100 (approx. US $74) for the first loss and S $300 (approx. US $222) for the second and subsequent losses.

Singapore IC Validity and Renewal

Does Singapore IC expire? – The Singapore IC doesn't have a set Singapore ID date of change, like a passport. However, it is valid only until you turn 30 and then again until you turn 55 unless your current card is less than 10 years old.

Note: The Singapore Blue IC does not have an expiry date as long as the holder maintains their status as a permanent resident of Singapore.

Thus, IC Renewal Requirements are as follows:

At Age 30: Singapore citizens and permanent residents must renew their IC before they turn 31 unless they have received a Singapore IC replacement within the last 10 years.
At Age 55: Those who have not re-registered for an IC in the past 10 years must do so before their 56th birthday.
Residing Overseas: If you are overseas, re-registration must be done within one year of returning to Singapore.

For a Singapore ID validity check, go to an e-Service platform and enter your IC details, such as IC Number (NRIC), date of issue, and date of birth.

Save your time and money by taking a perfect Singapore Identity Card and passport photo with Visaphoto.com or 7ID!