National Registration Identity Card

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The National Registration Identity Card (abbreviation: NRIC, or colloquially IC; Traditional Chinese: 身份證; Simplified Chinese: 身份证) is the identity document in use in Singapore. It is compulsory for all Singaporean citizens and permanent residents who are fifteen years of age and older to have their NRICs.

It is not compulsory for bearers to hold the card at all times, nor are they compelled by law to show their cards to police officers conducting regular screening while on patrol, for instance. Failure to show any form of identification, however, may allow the police to detain suspicious individuals until relevant identification could be produced subsequently either in person or by proxy. The NRIC is also a required document for some government procedures, commercial transactions such as the opening of a bank account, or to gain entry to premises by surrendering or exchanging for an entry pass. Failure to produce the card may result in denied access to these premises or attainment of goods and services.

The National Registration Act of 1965 (last amendment in 2001) legislates the issuance and usage of NRICs. Section 7 indicates that all registered persons of the national registry are to be issued with the identity card.

1 Type and design
2 Checksum alphabet
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Type and design

The NRIC comes in two main colour schemes, namely pink for citizens and blue for permanent residents (PR). Each card is identified by an "Identity Card Number" (NRIC number), which is a unique set of nine alpha-numerics given to each citizen or PR at birth registration or successful attainment of permanent residence status. These numbers are similar to that on birth certificates for citizens, and are automatically transferred to the NRIC at age 15 and above.

Also indicated on the front side of the card, are the holder's name, race, date of birth, sex, country of birth, and a colour photograph. On the back of the card is the NRIC number and its bar code, a fingerprint, issue date of the card, and the holder's current residential address. The nationality of permanent residents is indicated on the back of the card as well; this field is absent for citizens.

Until 29 September 2002, the NRIC indicated its holder's blood group. This information was subsequently removed due to the widespread availability of quick blood group tests that are conducted during medical emergencies. The blood group field still exists on the card, but is left blank.

[edit] Checksum alphabet

The structure of the NRIC number: #0000000@

This is a letter that can be "S", "F", "T" or "G" depending on the status of the holder.
For Singapore citizens and permanent residents, this is the century prefix.
The NRIC number for citizens and permanent residents born before the year 2000 is assigned the letter "S". "S" is the 19th letter in the English Alphabet, denoting that the NRIC number was issued in the 20th century (1900-1999). It was commonly believed before 2000 that the "S" stood for Singapore, although this was later proven to be unfounded
Singapore citizens and permanent residents born in 2000 and beyond are assigned the letter "T". "T" is the 20th letter in the English Alphabet, denoting that the NRIC number was issued in the 21st century (2000-2099)
Foreigners holding employment or student passes issued before the year 2000 are assigned the letter "F", regardless of their year of birth
After the year 2000, foreigners holding employment or student passes were assigned the letter "G"

0000000

This is a 7 digit serial number assigned to the document holder

This is the checksum letter calculated based on # and 0000000.

For Singapore citizens and permanent residents born in 1968 and after, their NRIC number will start with their year of birth e.g 71xxxxx#. For those born in 1967 and earlier, the NRIC number does not relate to year of birth, and commonly begins with 00 or 01.