CHAPTER 01:02 – NATIONAL REGISTRATION: SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION
INDEX TO SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION
National Registration Regulations
NATIONAL REGISTRATION REGULATIONS
(section 23)
(14th November, 2025)
ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS
REGULATION
1. Citation
2. Application for registration
3. Forms of identity cards
4. Form of affidavit
6. Fees to be levied
7. Data privacy statement
8. Revocation of S.I. No. 72 of 1987
S.I. 72, 1987,
S.I. 38, 1993,
S.I. 68, 1997,
S.I. 82, 1998,
S.I. 98, 2010,
S.I. 41, 2011,
S.I. 17, 2013,
S.I. 136, 2025.
These Regulations may be cited as the National Registration Regulations.
2. Application for registration
Application for registration shall be made in Form 1 set out in the Schedule 1 and shall be accompanied by the following documents—
(a) an unabridged birth certificate containing information of either biological parents or adoptive parents in case of adoption;
(b) citizenship certificate if the applicant is a citizen by registration or naturalisation;
(c) resident permit if the applicant is a permanent resident;
(d) a court order to that effect by any person who claims that his or her biological father or mother is a Motswana and therefore cannot fulfil the requirements of this regulation;
(e) any other document the Registrar may require.
(1) An applicant who has fulfilled the requirements to be issued an identity card, shall be issued with a smart identity card containing the following particulars—
(a) on the face of the card—
(i) a recent photograph,
(ii) an identity number,
(iii) a “C” on the top right corner to depict that the holder is a citizen by birth or descent,
(iv) a “DC” on the top right corner to depict that the holder is a dual citizen,
(v) “CR” on the top right corner to depict that the holder is a citizen by registration or naturalisation,
(vi) “PR” on the top right corner to depict that the holder is a permanent resident,
(vii) surname and forenames,
(viii) date and place of birth, and
(ix) the signature of the holder; and
(b) on the reverse side of the card—
(i) the thumbprint of the holder,
(ii) the nationality of the holder,
(iii) the sex of the holder,
(iv) the colour of the holder’s eyes,
(v) the date of expiry of the identity card,
(vi) the place of application for registration, and
(vii) the signature of the Registrar.
(2) The smart identity card issued under subregulation (1) shall comply with the International Civil Aviation Organisation requirements and colour-coded indicating the status as—
(i) green for citizen;
(ii) pink for non-citizen resident.
(3) A person who has fulfilled the requirements to be issued an identity card under subregulation (1) shall be issued with a digital identity card reflecting the same particulars as the physical card.
The affidavit that may be required from a person who reports the loss, damage or destruction of his identity card shall be in Form 1 set out in the Schedule 1.
(1) A person may apply for a change of particulars in their identity card.
(2) An application under subregulation (1) shall be accompanied by an affidavit in Form 1 set out in Schedule 1 and accompanied by a fee set out in Schedule 2.
(3) The Registrar may, under exceptional circumstances, waive any requirements from the applicant and request alternative information in support of the application.
(1) Subject to subregulation (2), any person to whom an identity card is issued shall be required to pay a fee set out in Schedule 2.
(2) Where a person can sufficiently show that the loss, damage or destruction of the identity card was not a result of the person’s negligence or carelessness, but was due to circumstances beyond his control, such person shall be required to pay a fee set out in Schedule 2 for the duplicate card to be provided.
(3) Where the loss, damage or destruction of the identity card was as a result of the person’s negligence or carelessness, such person shall be required to pay a fee set out in Schedule 2 for the duplicate card to be provided.
(4) Any person who falsely declares in an affidavit that he has lost his identity card, shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding P2 000, or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years, or to both.
(5) Any person who has been issued with an identity card shall renew it within 90 days before expiry date and 30 days after expiry date upon payment of a fee set out in Schedule 2.
(6) Any person who fails to renew their identity card within 30 days after expiry shall pay a fee set out in Schedule 2.
(7) Any identity card which remains uncollected for 24 months after issuance shall be disposed of by the Registrar.
(8) Any person who makes an application for the replacement of any card that has been disposed of due to non-collection within 24 months of its issuance, shall pay a fee set out in Schedule 2.
(9) Any request for the authentication of an identity card shall be issued upon payment of a fee set out in Schedule 2.
An applicant for registration under these regulations shall consent and sign a data privacy statement as set out in Schedule 3.
8. Revocation of S.I. No. 72 of 1987
Statutory Instrument No. 72 of 1987 is hereby revoked.
SCHEDULE 1
(reg. 4)
SCHEDULE 2
(reg. 6)
SCHEDULE OF FEES
|
a) Application for change of particulars |
P10,00 |
|
b) Application for renewal |
P10,00 |
|
c) Application for duplication not due to negligence |
P10,00 |
|
d) Application for duplication due to negligence |
P200,00 |
|
e) Late renewal |
P10,00 pula per month levied at 30 days after expiry up to a maximum of P200,00. |
|
f) Late collection |
P10,00 per month levied after 180 days from date of issuance up to a maximum of P200,00. |
|
g) Authentication |
P5,00 |
SCHEDULE 3
(reg. 7)
Data Privacy Statement
The Department of Civil and National Registration is committed to protecting your personal data in accordance with the Botswana Data Protection Act, 2024. The information provided in this application form will be collected, processed, and stored lawfully, ensuring compliance with data protection principles of lawfulness, fairness, transparency, integrity, and confidentiality.
Your personal data will be used solely for identity verification, application processing, and legal compliance. We implement appropriate security measures to safeguard your information against unauthorised access, loss, or misuse.
You have the right to:
• Access your personal data.
• Request correction or deletion of inaccurate or outdated information.
• Withdraw consent for processing, subject to legal limitations.
• Object to processing under certain circumstances.
For inquiries or to exercise your rights, contact
Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs
Department of Civil and National Registration (DCNR)
Government Enclave, Khama Crescent, Block 8 Building, Gaborone
Private Bag 00240
Gaborone, Botswana
Telephone number: +267 3611400
Consent to Sharing of Data
By signing below, you confirm that you have read and understood the Data Privacy Statement. You voluntarily consent to the collection, processing, and storage of your personal data for identity verification and application processing.
Additionally, you authorise the lawful sharing of your personal data with authorised entities, where necessary to fulfill legal and administrative requirements. Your data will not be shared with third parties for marketing or unrelated purposes without your explicit consent.
You understand that you may withdraw this consent at any time by contacting the Department of Civil and National Registration at the above-mentioned contact details, subject to applicable laws.
Applicant’s Name: ………………………… Signature: ………………………… Date: …………………………