A status-neutral identity card (SNID) is an opportunity/document created with neutral and humanitarian purposes for people residing in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, which certifies the identity of a person and does not imply the acquisition of Georgian citizenship.
A neutral identity card is printed and filled out in Georgian and Abkhaz languages for people residing in Abkhazia region and in Georgian and Ossetian languages for people residing in Tskhinvali region.
Following the receipt of a neutral identity card, a person residing in Abkhazia or Tskhinvali region, gains an opportunity to participate in healthcare programs and benefit from a number of services (including free of charge), enroll and study at various higher education institutions, receive funding/grant, establish a company, start an economic activity, open a bank account, etc.
Which documents are required to receive SNID?
To obtain a neutral ID Card, the interested person should apply to any territorial service of the Public Service Development Agency (Civil Registry), any branch of the Public Service Hall or use the Agency’s remote service.
To obtain a neutral ID Card without leaving home, an electronic application should be submitted (the application form is available here - https://sda.gov.ge/services/sdapage-021/), annexed with a biometric photo and, if necessary, other documents as listed below and envisaged by the legislation.
In case documents are submitted in electronic form, within 5 days from the registration of the application the interested person is obliged to submit all the necessary documents in hard copy.
If a person is receiving the neutral ID Card for the first time, one of the following documents are required to be submitted for identification of the person:
- Former USSR passport;
- The so-called birth or identity document issued in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions;
- Document certifying the residence in Abkhazia or Tskhinvali region;
- Biometric photo - size 3.5 X 4.5 cm, in electronic form (photo can be taken on site).
Territorial offices of the State Services Development Agency - https://sda.gov.ge/en/contact
If a person already possessed neutral ID Card, only the photo of the person should be submitted to regain the document.
Which documents certify the fact of (legitimate) residence in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions?
To certify the fact of legitimate residence in the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region, the following documents can be used:
- A record in former USSR passport concerning the person's place of residence;
- A certificate issued by the Government of the A/R of Abkhazia or the Temporary Administration of the former Autonomous District of South Ossetia, certifying the fact of residence in the relevant territory;
- In case of a minor/ incapacitated person, as well as a person born after December 31, 1992 – birth certificate or another document confirming person’s identity and the record in former USSR passport or Tskhinvali region, or the certificate issued by the administration of the relevant administrative-territorial unit certifying the residence of the parent(s)/guardian/caregiver in Abkhazia, or a neutral ID card/neutral travel document (in case of its possession).
What technical means are necessary to receive SNID online?
For online submission of an application a camera, earphones and microphone are needed.
Fee and period for issuing SNID
Neutral ID Card is being prepared during 10 working days upon the submission of relevant documents and the fee is GEL 10.
How can I receive the issued Status-Neutral Identity Card (SNID)?
The applicant may choose the preferred method of receiving the document: delivery of the issued document by post, designation of an authorized person to collect the document, or personal collection of the document.
If the document is to be collected in person or by an authorized person, the applicant may indicate a preferred Public Service Hall or a territorial office of the Public Service Development Agency (Civil Registry) as the place of issuance.
How can I pay the service fee for the issuance of a Status-Neutral Identity Card?
The service fee for the issuance of a Status-Neutral Identity Card may be paid online during the completion of the electronic application by means of a bank card, or by cash payment at a banking institution.
How can I know whether my application has been registered?
If the application is successfully registered, a notification confirming the successful registration will be sent to the e-mail address indicated in the application. The notification will also include the application number and code, which can be used at any time to access the application.
Note: An application shall be considered submitted only after the applicant has connected with an employee of the Remote Service Unit via video call and the relevant video recording has been completed.
Under what circumstances may my application for a Status-Neutral Identity Card be refused when submitted online?
The issuance of a Status-Neutral Identity Card through the remote service is possible only if electronic communication enables direct visual contact between the person authorized to receive the application and the applicant, and if all documents required by the legislation for the issuance of the relevant document have been submitted.
For additional information visit - https://sda.gov.ge/services/sdapage-021/
