BAKU, July 25, 2025 — Azerbaijani identity cards will soon include new data fields indicating the holder’s place of residence and citizenship, following amendments approved by President Ilham Aliyev to the country’s “Law on the Identity Card of the Citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan.”
According to AZERTAC, the changes aim to align national ID cards with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Document 9303 standards and to resolve practical issues citizens have encountered using the current version, which also functions as a travel document — particularly for travel to Turkey.
One of the key motivations behind the reform is the lack of address information on current IDs, which has posed logistical challenges for users. The updated version will address this by displaying residence and citizenship details directly on the card. Additionally, the electronic chip embedded in the card will now store a broader range of personal data than before.
A significant structural update will see sensitive information — such as marital status, parental and child data, military service obligations, and more — no longer stored solely on the card’s chip. Instead, this information will be housed and cryptographically protected within the Interagency Automated Information-Search System (IAMIS). This transition is designed to enhance the confidentiality, integrity, and protection of personal data against unauthorized access.
The amendments also propose revising ID issuance rules. A change of residence will now require card replacement. Furthermore, if a technical or factual error is found on the card or its chip, corrections will be made free of charge, without imposing a state duty.
Officials say the reforms will lead to a more modern, secure, and citizen-friendly identity documentation system, easing bureaucratic procedures and improving access to public services.
