Remember Deketeke-Herald Correspondent
THE Civil Registry Department issued nearly one million national identity documents and passports in the first half of 2026.
Statistics obtained by The Herald show that the department issued 468 964 national identity documents and 217 089 electronic passports between January and June, bringing the combined total to 686 053.
These figures highlight the continued demand for national documentation, which is essential for accessing various public services, formal employment, financial services, and international travel.
“To date, 217 089 e-passports have been issued countrywide. And National Identity cards so far issued are of 468 964 since the start of the year,” reads the document by the Civil Registry Department. “The steady increase in processed applications demonstrates improved production capacity and growing public confidence in the system.”
A visit by The Herald to the New Makombe Complex showed that the Department is now managing its numbers effectively with shorter queues at all its facilities.
This initiative is part of a broader reform agenda aimed at enhancing service delivery through technology.
The new passports feature advanced security measures that comply with international standards, improving document integrity and reducing fraud.
The processing time for passport applications has been reduced from six months to just seven working days, thanks to a digital queueing and data capture system that has improved efficiency.
The department also issued 276 948 birth certificates and 39 655 death certificates during the six-month period, while 12 602 marriages were registered.
In total, the department processed 1 015 258 documents across the five categories, reflecting its central role in maintaining civil records and providing citizens with essential documentation.
National Identity documents accounted for the largest share of the documents issued, followed by birth certificates and electronic passports.
The issuance of 217 089 electronic passports during the period also points to a sustained demand for travel documents.
