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Sudan: Information on practices adopted by the government to replace or issue personal identification documentation that contains the dates of birth of the holders

According to a staff member of the Embassy of the Republic of The Sudan, there are three kinds of personal identification documentation that contain the dates of birth of individuals, and these are passports, birth certificates and personal identification (ID) cards (7 Dec. 1994). First time applicants requesting Sudanese passports must send their applications to the Ministry of the Interior in Khartoum (ibid.). Although Sudanese passports must be renewed every two years, the document is valid for 10 years and must be replaced after the statutory life of the document has ended (ibid.). Lost passports can be replaced by applying to the same ministry, and applicants must attach police reports confirming the document's loss.

The source stated that the Sudanese birth certificate is another personal identification document which carries the birth date of the holder. The Sudanese Ministry of Health issues and replaces birth certificates, which are based on information provided by the local hospitals or clinics where the birth took place (ibid.). With regard to births that did not take place in local hospitals or clinics, the staff member stated that applicants must apply to the nearest health clinic or hospital for their birth certificates. The source stated that a lost birth certificate can be replaced by applying to the Ministry of Health. The applicant must include a police report affirming the document's loss (ibid.).

The staff member stated that the Sudanese ID card is mandatory in the Sudan and is issued or replaced by the Ministry of the Interior (ibid.). The source stated that only Sudanese citizens are entitled to the card (ibid.). A lost card can be obtained by applying to the Ministry of the Interior, and the applicant must attach a police report confirming the document's loss (ibid.). The DIRB is unable to corroborate the information provided by the Sudanese embassy staff member.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Reference

Embassy of the Republic of The Sudan, Ottawa. 7 December 1994. Personal interview with staff member.