The Moroccan National Identity Card (CNIE): Purpose & How to Apply

The National Electronic Identity Card, officially known in French as "Carte Nationale d'Identité Électronique" and abbreviated in administrative documents as "CNIE", is issued in Morocco by the General Directorate of National Security (Direction Générale de la Sûreté Nationale, or "DGSN"). It is issued for the benefit of Moroccan citizens upon their request.

The CNIE or National Electronic Identity Card is an official document valid for proving the identity of its holder. Issued by the General Directorate of National Security, it contains personal data that distinctively identifies each individual. It can be obtained either at the National Security offices responsible for its issuance in Morocco or at Moroccan diplomatic and consular missions abroad.

1. What is the "CNIE"?

It is an official document that proves the identity of its holder, including their digital identity, by assigning a unique national identity number to every natural person.

This document visibly displays the following data on its front and back:

On the Front:

• First and last name in Arabic and Latin characters.
• Date of birth.
• Place of birth in Arabic and Latin characters.
• Card expiration date.
• Photograph of the cardholder.
• National Identity Number.
• The issuing authority (in Arabic) and its signature.
• Card Access Number (CAN): A manually typed code used to access the chip-stored version of the data printed on the front and back of the card.

On the Back:

• National Identity Number.
• Filiation (lineage) in Arabic and Latin characters.
• Residential address in Arabic and Latin characters.
• Civil Status Record Number.
• Gender code.
• Optional: Upon the cardholder's request, the term "Wife," "Widow," or "Widower" can be included in Arabic and Latin characters, along with the name of the concerned person.

Invisible Data Contained in the Card:

In the Machine-Readable Zone (MRZ):

• The letter «I», indicating the document type.
• The code «MAR», indicating the Kingdom of Morocco first, and the Moroccan nationality second.
• The serial number of the card's physical medium.
• National Identity Number.
• Date of birth.
• Gender code.
• Card expiration date.
• Automatically calculated check digits, used to verify the accuracy of the data contained in the MRZ.
• First and last name in Latin characters.

In the Electronic Microchip:

• National Identity Number.
• Photograph of the cardholder.
• Gender code.
• First and last name in Arabic and Latin characters.
• Filiation in Arabic and Latin characters.
• Date of birth.
• Place of birth in Arabic and Latin characters.
• Civil Status Record Number.
• Residential address in Arabic and Latin characters.
• Card expiration date.
• Optional: The term "Wife," "Widow," or "Widower" in Arabic and Latin characters, along with the name of the concerned person in both scripts.

Highly Secure Area of the Chip Includes:

• A vector representation of the minutiae of two fingerprints for cardholders over 12 full Gregorian years of age.
• Digital security certificates of the card.

2. What is the Purpose of the National Identity Card?

• The primary purpose is to enable the cardholder to prove their identity to authorized entities using the CNIE, in the following ways:
• In Person: By verifying the data embedded in the card using specific technical devices designed for this purpose.
• Remotely: When accessing a specific service, the holder proves their identity according to the method required by that particular service.

Furthermore, the CNIE exempts its holder from providing the following documents:

• Birth certificate
• Certificate of residence
• Life certificate
• Certificate of nationality
• Or any other document specified by regulations to supplement this list.

3. Where Can You Apply for the "CNIE"?

The application for the National Electronic Identity Card must be submitted in person by the concerned individual or by the legal guardian of a minor, according to the following cases:

• For Moroccans Residing in Morocco: The application is submitted to the National Security office responsible for the CNIE corresponding to the applicant's place of residence, in exchange for a dated receipt.
• For Moroccans Residing Abroad: The application is submitted to the competent services at the diplomatic and consular missions of the Kingdom of Morocco abroad, or to the National Security offices responsible for the CNIE in Morocco, in exchange for a dated receipt.

Read more about: The Legal Age for Obtaining the Moroccan National Electronic Identity Card.

⸺ If you have any opinions or inquiries regarding this topic, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below.

Legal Sources:

• Articles 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11 of the Law No. 04.20 relating to the National Electronic Identity Card, promulgated by Dahir No. 1.20.80 on 18 Dhu al-Hijjah 1441 (August 8, 2020). (This repeals the provisions of Law No. 35.06 creating the National Electronic Identity Card, promulgated by Dahir No. 1.07.149 on 19 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1428 - November 30, 2007).
• Articles 7 and 8 of the Decree No. 2.20.521 issued on 22 Dhu al-Hijjah 1441 (August 12, 2020) implementing the provisions of Law No. 04.20 relating to the National Electronic Identity Card. (This repeals Decree No. 2.06.478 issued on 14 Dhu al-Hijjah 1428 - December 25, 2007 - implementing Law No. 35.06).

Achraf Lamine Legal Researcher and Master of Laws (LL.M.) holder, specializing in the analysis of legislative texts and judicial precedents. I dedicate my expertise at "Arable Law Hub" to simplifying legal culture and making it accessible to everyone, driven by the conviction that legal awareness is the fundamental cornerstone of the rule of law.
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