National Identification Card (Republic of China)

National Identification Card (Republic of China)
Traditional Chinese	中華民國國民身分證
Transcriptions Mandarin - Hanyu Pinyin zhong1 hua2 min2 guo2 guo2 min2 shen1 fen1 zheng4 Cantonese (Yue) - Jyutping zung1 waa4 man4 gwok3 gwok3 man4 san1 fan6*2 zing3

The National Identification Card is an identity document issued only to citizens of the Republic of China (Taiwan) that have a household registration in the Taiwan area. While the Republic of China Passport allows for entry into Taiwan, the Identification Card is used for virtually all other activities that require identity verification within Taiwan such as opening bank accounts and voting. The Republic of China National Identification Card, rather than the ROC Passport, grants the holder the right of abode in Taiwan.

The Identification Card contains the holder's photo, ID number, Chinese name, and (Minguo calendar) date of birth. The back of the card contains more detailed information, including the person's registered address where official correspondence is sent, as well as the names of his/her parents and spouse.

If the person moves, he/she must re-register at a municipal office (Chinese: 戶政事務所).

Unlike the Republic of China passport which can be issued overseas at Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices, the National Identification Card is only issued in Taiwan at municipal offices. Dual Passport holders that have a household registration can only apply for the Identification Card after they enter Taiwan using the Republic of China Passport. Male dual passport holders who register for the Identification Card also become eligible for military conscription within the Republic of China, unless the person has overseas resident status (Chinese: 僑居身分).

ROC Passport holders without a household registration can obtain the ID card if they reside in Taiwan continuously for one full year without leaving after obtaining a Republic of China Taiwan Area Resident Certificate.

Possession of the Identification Card along with the Republic China Passport are required to obtain the People's Republic of China's Taiwan Compatriot Pass for entry into Mainland China.

Foreigners residents in Taiwan are required to carry an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), which serves the many non-citizen related functions of the ID card.

Identity card number

Every citizen has a unique ID number. A valid ROC ID number consists of one letter and nine-digits. The initial letter depends on the place of one's first household registration. The first digit depends on gender; 1 for male, 2 for female. The last digit is a checksum.

The letter usage is as follows:

Active Letters		Letters no longer issued
Letter City/County A Taipei City B Taichung City C Keelung City D Tainan City E Kaohsiung City F New Taipei City G Yilan County H Taoyuan County I Chiayi City J Hsinchu County K Miaoli County	Letter City/County M Nantou County N Changhua County O Hsinchu City P Yunlin County Q Chiayi County T Pingtung County U Hualien County V Taitung County W Kinmen County X Penghu County Z Lienchiang County	Letter Original division Date of final issue Current division L Taichung County Dec. 25, 2010 Taichung City R Tainan County Dec. 25, 2010 Tainan City S Kaohsiung County Dec. 25, 2010 Kaohsiung City Y Yangmingshan Management Bureau 1975 Taipei City

See also

• Identity document
• List of national identity card policies by country