Lost Citizenship Certificate in Nepal: Reporting and Duplicate Application

Losing your Nepal citizenship certificate (nagarikta praman patra) is stressful, but the replacement process is straightforward if you know the steps. This guide walks through the current journey: reporting the loss to police, gathering documents, and applying for a duplicate at the competent office. Procedures and fees can change; always confirm the latest details at the counter or on the official portal before you go.

Step 1: Report the loss to Nepal Police

Go to the nearest police station as soon as you realise the certificate is missing. Ask for a First Information Report (FIR) or a general lost-property report (khovayeko sambandhi bayan). There is no statutory 48-hour deadline in the current rules, but prompt reporting protects you against misuse and creates the paper trail the citizenship office expects.

Bring your passport-sized photos and any photocopy of the lost certificate if you have one. The police will issue a stamped report letter. Keep the original; you will submit it with the duplicate application. If the loss happened abroad, report it to the local police there and also inform the nearest Nepali embassy or consulate.

Step 2: Identify the correct issuing office

Citizenship certificates are issued by the District Administration Office (DAO) where your permanent address is registered, or by the Department of National ID and Civil Registration (DoNIDCR) at its central or zonal offices. The DAO remains the primary counter for most applicants. In Kathmandu Valley, the DoNIDCR office at Dillibazar (Bagmati Province) also processes duplicates. Confirm which office handles your district before you travel; jurisdiction rules have not changed recently, but service windows and token systems can vary.

Step 3: Prepare the required documents

The standard file for a duplicate citizenship certificate includes:

• Original police FIR / lost-property report letter
• Completed duplicate citizenship application form (available at the office counter; some offices also provide a downloadable PDF on the DoNIDCR website)
• Two recent passport-sized photographs
• Photocopy of the lost certificate (if you have one) or details: certificate number, issue date, issuing DAO
• Citizenship certificate of a close relative (father, mother, or spouse) for verification
• Your original birth certificate or a copy, if asked
• Recommendation letter from the ward office of your permanent address (some DAOs require this; others accept the relative's citizenship as sufficient)

Requirements can differ slightly by office. Call ahead or check the DAO notice board on arrival.

Step 4: Submit the application and pay the fee

Submit the complete file at the designated citizenship window. As of the last published schedule, the government fee for a duplicate citizenship certificate is NPR 50 (fifty rupees). Some offices may charge a small additional service or form fee. Fee revisions are published in the Nepal Gazette; ask the counter for the current amount and pay only at the official cashier window. Keep the receipt.

Step 5: Collection timeline and follow-up

Most DAOs issue the duplicate certificate within 1–3 working days after a complete file is accepted. Busy offices or those requiring additional verification may take up to 7 days. You will receive a token or slip with a collection date. Bring the token and your ID when you return. If you cannot collect in person, an authorised representative can pick it up with a signed authorisation letter, their own citizenship copy, and your token slip.

Online and appointment status

As of this writing, the DoNIDCR portal (donidcr.gov.np) publishes forms and notices but does not yet offer end-to-end online filing or appointment booking for duplicate citizenship certificates. The process remains in-person at the DAO or DoNIDCR counter. Check the portal before you go for any new digital service rollout.

What if you are outside Nepal?

Apply at the nearest Nepali embassy or consulate. They forward the file to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then to the DoNIDCR in Kathmandu. The timeline is longer — typically 4–8 weeks — and the fee is set by the mission in local currency. Carry the same document set listed above, plus your valid passport and visa/residence proof for the host country.

Quick checklist before you leave home

• Police FIR / lost report (original)
• Filled application form
• 2 passport photos
• Relative's citizenship copy
• Ward recommendation (if your DAO requires it)
• Cash for the fee (small denominations help)
• Your ID and token slip for collection

Related guidance

If the lost certificate belonged to a missing person, the reporting and search process is different. See our guide on reporting a missing person in Nepal for that procedure.

Note: Fees, forms, office locations and timelines are based on the most recent publicly available information. Government procedures can change without notice. Verify the current requirements at your DAO or on the official DoNIDCR website before you travel.