The Nicaraguan Identity Document: modernity and technology.

Update:  Law 1241 was repealed by Law 1254, published in La Gaceta, Official Gazette No. 115 on June 26, 2025, reinstating the validity of the previous regulation, Law 152, the Citizen Identification Law.

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Nicaraguan citizens have always had the means provided by the State to register at the Civil Registry and have their respective identity document that allows them to carry out any commercial and institutional procedures or transactions.

The technological means, as well as the constant renewal of the legislation, have shown us that the modernization of a process as simple as the identification of natural persons requires mechanisms in accordance with a reality that is enhanced by the advance of technology, due to the increase of the young population, which requires information systems to be automated for the sake of a greater scope.

As a result, the new Law No. 1241 “Law of Citizen Identification” was enacted and it will completely transform the system for the issuance of identification documents in the country. It also replaces the provisions of the repealed Law No. 152, which had been in force since 1993.

The change with the most transcendental impact is the creation of a Unique Identification Number that will be given to every Nicaraguan citizen from birth. This unique number will remain the same throughout the life of the citizen and will function as an instrument that validates the registration of the person before public or private institutions, in addition to ensuring greater legal certainty for the holder.

In addition, for the first time in the history of Nicaragua, the "Identification Document for Minors under 16" ("Documento de Identificación para Menores de 16 años") will be introduced, which will facilitate the access of minors to public services such as health, education and legal protection. The document will also have different validity periods depending on the age of the minor, with the following subdivisions: from 0 to 6 years, from 6 to 13 years and from 13 to 16 years.

This identification document can be processed by the persons legally representing the minor and will guarantee a more effective integration into the national data system.

Another important change is that Nicaraguans over the age of 16 are now required to "apply for, obtain and carry their Citizen Identification Card" ("Cédula de Identificación Ciudadana"), which was previously called the "Citizen Identity Card" ("Cédula de Identidad Ciudadana"). This document is of vital importance since its use is mandatory for all financial, administrative, academic or commercial acts.

In addition to the changes in the types of identification documents, there are also changes in the organizational structure in this matter, as the former General Directorate of Identification Cards has become the new General Directorate of Identification, attached to the Supreme Electoral Council. This agency will be responsible for managing the national identification system, centralizing records and issuing both the new document for minors and the citizen's identification card for those over 16 years of age.

On the other hand, the enacted legislation establishes that the current and valid Citizen Identity Cards will not be invalidated by the entry into force of the new law, but will continue to be valid until their expiration date, at which time they will be replaced by the new citizen ID card formats. In this way, the transition will take place without interrupting the acquired rights of citizens.

With the implementation of this new legislation, Nicaragua is moving forward to consolidate its identification system to make it more comprehensive and technologically advanced, allowing for better control and efficient management of the registered identity of citizens from birth to death.