As of 28 October 2026 (11 Kartik 2083). The legal rule is from the Nepal Citizenship (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2083, published in the Nepal Gazette on 15 Asoj 2083, as summarised by Kanun Khabar. The Kathmandu Valley arrangement is from the District Administration Office Kathmandu notice reported by TechPana, Ratopati and Gorkhapatra on 11 Kartik 2083. Fees and processing times were not published in any of these sources, so ask the office before you go.
You can now get a citizenship copy from any district in Nepal. Until this month, if your नागरिकताको प्रमाणपत्र (citizenship certificate) was lost, burned, soaked or torn, you had to travel back to the district that issued it. For someone from Bajura or Solukhumbu living in Kathmandu, that meant days of travel and real cost.
A change to the citizenship rules now lets any District Administration Office (DAO) issue a copy, called a प्रतिलिपि (pratilipi), after checking your details against the national databases. Inside Kathmandu Valley, the three DAOs have split the work by province. Here is how it works and exactly where to go.
Quick answers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What changed? | You can apply for a citizenship copy at a DAO other than the one that issued your certificate |
| Legal basis | New Rule 16gha (16घ), Nepal Citizenship (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2083 |
| Gazette date | 15 Asoj 2083 |
| Who approves | Chief District Officer (CDO) |
| Verification | Your details and biometrics must match the citizenship and national ID databases |
| Kathmandu DAO | Certificates issued in Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces |
| Lalitpur DAO | Certificates issued in Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces |
| Bhaktapur DAO | Certificates issued in Koshi and Madhesh provinces |
| Corrections to name or date of birth | Still only at the district that issued the original |
| Fee and time | Not published in the notices; ask the DAO |
What the new rule says
The government published the Nepal Citizenship (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2083 in the Nepal Gazette on 15 Asoj 2083. According to Kanun Khabar’s summary, it adds a new Rule 16gha (नियम १६घ):
- A person who already holds a citizenship certificate can ask for a copy from a district other than the one that issued it.
- The application is made to the Chief District Officer in the format of Schedule 18 (अनुसूची-१८).
- The applicant attaches the original or a copy of the citizenship certificate, plus a copy of the national ID card or a document that shows the national ID number.
- The office checks the details and biometrics against the citizenship information system and the National Identity Management Information System.
- Once the details match, the CDO may issue the copy.
The same amendment also adds Rule 16nga (नियम १६ङ): a local level’s recommendation for citizenship is valid for only 35 days from the date it is issued. If you collect a ward recommendation, use it quickly.
Government spokesperson and Minister Sasmit Pokharel announced the change, and the government linked it to point 21 of its 100-point governance reform agenda, as Gorkhapatra and TechPana reported.
When you can apply for a copy
According to the DAO Kathmandu notice as reported, you can ask for a copy if your citizenship certificate:
- was lost,
- was destroyed by fire,
- was damaged by water or flood,
- is torn and no longer usable,
- needs to be reissued in the new format, or
- is needed again for another valid reason.
Lost your citizenship? Get the paperwork right first time
Digital Solution helps you prepare the Schedule 18 application, find your NID number and organise the ward recommendation and documents before you visit the DAO. Message us on WhatsApp.
Which Kathmandu Valley office to visit
Because many people from other districts live in the Valley, the Ministry of Home Affairs sent a circular to DAOs, and DAO Kathmandu issued a notice on Monday, 9 Kartik 2083. Chief District Officer Ishwarraj Poudel issued the notice, according to Ratopati. The three Valley DAOs serve applicants by the province where the original certificate was issued.
| If your citizenship was issued in | Apply at |
|---|---|
| Bagmati Province | DAO Kathmandu (Babarmahal) and offices under it |
| Gandaki Province | DAO Kathmandu and offices under it |
| Lumbini Province | DAO Kathmandu and offices under it |
| Karnali Province | DAO Lalitpur |
| Sudurpashchim Province | DAO Lalitpur |
| Koshi Province | DAO Bhaktapur |
| Madhesh Province | DAO Bhaktapur |
Example: you got your citizenship in Kaski (Gandaki) and now live in Lalitpur. You still go to DAO Kathmandu, not Lalitpur, because the split is by the province of issue, not where you live now.
Outside the Valley, the rule lets any DAO accept the application. If you live in Pokhara, Butwal or Biratnagar and your certificate is from another district, ask your local DAO whether it is already processing these copies.
Documents to bring
Sources describe the documents slightly differently, so bring everything on this list.
| Document | Why |
|---|---|
| Application in the Schedule 18 format | Required by Rule 16gha (forms are usually available at the DAO) |
| Your citizenship certificate, or a photocopy if the original is lost | Required by Rule 16gha |
| National ID card copy, or a document showing your NID number | Required by Rule 16gha |
| Ward (local level) recommendation | Gorkhapatra reports it is needed for lost or destroyed certificates; valid only 35 days |
| Passport or land ownership certificate (लालपुर्जा) as extra ID | Gorkhapatra lists these as alternatives to the NID card |
| Police report, if lost | Our suggestion; many offices ask for one in lost-document cases |
| Passport-size photos | Our suggestion; carry a few recent ones |
For non-resident Nepalis (NRNs): Gorkhapatra reports that a local-level recommendation and the passport of the country where you live are needed.
If you do not have a national ID number yet, the rule’s NID requirement may be a problem. Register for NID first, or ask the DAO what it accepts instead.
Step-by-step process
- Find the right DAO using the province table above.
- Get a ward recommendation if your certificate is lost or destroyed, and use it within 35 days.
- Prepare the Schedule 18 application and the documents listed above.
- Submit at the DAO’s citizenship section and give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) when asked.
- Verification: the office matches your details with the Centralized Citizenship Information Management System (CCIMS) and the National Identity Management Information System (NIDMIS).
- Issuance: if everything matches, the Chief District Officer issues the copy.
No source gave a processing time or fee. Call the DAO first or ask at the help desk on arrival.
When you must still go to your home district
The DAO Kathmandu notice lists three cases where the Valley offices will send you back to the district that issued your citizenship:
- Your record is not found, or your details do not match the database.
- You want to change your name, surname, date of birth or any other detail that differs from the original record. Corrections are not done under this rule.
- The citizenship looks suspicious on first examination.
So if your certificate has a spelling mistake or a wrong date of birth, fix that at your home district first. Asking for a copy elsewhere will not correct it.
Why this matters
Gorkhapatra described applicants like Kumar Rai from Solukhumbu, who has lived in Kathmandu for 24 years and lost his certificate, and Shyam Bik from Bajura, a student whose certificate was ruined by water. For people like them, a trip home could take days and cost thousands of rupees. Now the copy can be issued where they live.
The change also builds on Nepal’s digital records. Because your citizenship and NID data are already in central databases, the DAO can confirm your identity without contacting your home district. That is also why your biometric data must match exactly.
Reports also say the government plans a similar any-district system for passports. If you need a passport soon, see our guide to e-passport online forms and passport renewal.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a citizenship copy from any district in Nepal now?
Yes. The Nepal Citizenship (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2083 added Rule 16gha, which lets a citizen apply for a copy at a District Administration Office other than the one that issued the certificate, after database and biometric verification.
Which Kathmandu Valley office should I go to?
It depends on the province where your citizenship was issued. DAO Kathmandu handles Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini. DAO Lalitpur handles Karnali and Sudurpashchim. DAO Bhaktapur handles Koshi and Madhesh.
What documents do I need for a citizenship copy?
Under Rule 16gha: a Schedule 18 application, your citizenship certificate or its copy, and a national ID card copy or proof of your NID number. Gorkhapatra also reports that a ward recommendation is needed for lost or destroyed certificates. Bring a police report and photos to be safe.
Can I correct my name or date of birth at another district?
No. Corrections to name, surname, date of birth or other details must still be made at the district that issued the original citizenship.
How much does a citizenship copy cost?
The DAO notices reported so far do not state a fee or processing time. Ask the DAO’s citizenship section before you visit.
Conclusion
Getting a citizenship copy from any district is now possible under Rule 16gha of the Nepal Citizenship (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2083. In Kathmandu Valley, go to Kathmandu, Lalitpur or Bhaktapur DAO according to your province, bring your NID details and a ward recommendation, and make sure your details match the national records. For corrections, you still need your home district.
If you need help preparing the application, getting your NID number, or organising documents, Digital Solution can help.
Sources
- TechPana: Citizenship copy from Kathmandu Valley for other districts (11 Kartik 2083)
- Ratopati: With the Home Ministry circular, a copy of citizenship can now be obtained from any DAO (11 Kartik 2083)
- Gorkhapatra: Citizenship copy becoming easier (11 Kartik 2083)
- Kanun Khabar: Rules published in the Gazette, copy from any district
- Annapurna Post: Citizenship copy from any DAO
- DAO Kathmandu: Citizenship section
This guide summarises published rules and official notices as reported. Requirements can vary by office; confirm with the DAO before you go.
Rabin Paudel
Rabin Paudel is the Founder of Digital Solution, a Content Creator, and an AI Trainer. He shares practical and easy-to-understand content on Artificial Intelligence, Digital Literacy, Online Services, FinTech, and Technology. His mission is to make technology simple, accessible, and useful for everyone.
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