"No Changes to Birth Dates," NRB Says
Citizens are therefore urged to refrain from making such requests as they will not be entertained.
LILONGWE, Malawi - The National Registration Bureau (NRB) of Malawi issued a stern warning to citizens against changing the dates of birth on their national identity cards, writes Ted Likombola.
The bureau has noted an increase in such requests, particularly among individuals seeking employment opportunities in the Malawi Defence Force, Malawi Police Service, and other recruitment exercises.
"The Date of Birth on National Identity Card is a restricted parameter which cannot be changed anyhow by an individual’s request," stated MAK Sambo, Principal Secretary of the NRB.
The NRB emphasized that the National Registration Act of 2010 mandates them to protect all particulars in the National Registration and Identification System (Population Register).
They reiterated that NRB does not change or amend date of birth on individual’s records in this system.
Citizens are therefore urged to refrain from making such requests as they will not be entertained.
Meanwhile, NRB is urging citizens in Mzimba North, Dedza, Mchinji and Chikwawa districts to register for national ID cards and report any deaths that have occurred since 2017.
The bureau said in a statement Thursday that the registration and death reporting campaign will run from Feb. 21 to March 6 in Mzimba North, Dedza, Mchinji and Chikwawa districts.
Citizens who have turned 16 can register for their first ID cards. The campaign also allows people to replace lost or damaged cards.
"The captured death records will assist in flagging out deceased persons in the National ID database," the statement said.
The exercise is being done in phases across the country. The bureau said it will announce dates before starting registration in other districts.
Teams of registration officers will be placed at selected centers in each ward during the campaign.
Citizens who lost their IDs must provide a police report to get a replacement card.
The government has suspended ID expiration until Jan. 1, 2026. Cards with expired dates are still valid until then.
New cards issued will still have an expiration date printed on them.
People seeking first-time registration must provide citizenship evidence from a parent or two witnesses with IDs.
Supporting documents can also be used to prove citizenship.
*With additional reporting by Winston Mwale.