In order to register for the Ghana Card if you live outside Ghana, please note that:

1. The applicant must be six years old and above.
2. The applicant must have either a valid Ghana passport or a Birth Certificate issued by the Births and Deaths Registry of Ghana.
3. Both the passport and Birth Certificate must be originals. No photocopies or electronic copies are allowed or accepted.  
4. If the applicant does not have a valid Ghana passport or a Birth Certificate, he or she can be vouched for by his or her relative (one relative) who has registered and received a Ghana Card.
5. The person vouching must be at least 18 years old.
6. If the applicant has no known relatives, two people (selected from a particular list) can vouch for the applicant. The two people must be 18 years or older and must have Ghana Cards.
7. The list of persons who can vouch for a non-relative is as follows:
   • A practising or retired professional teacher, (including principals, headmasters & head teachers)
   • A Gazetted Chief
   • A practicing or retired Magistrate or Judge
   • A practicing or retired licenced Professional e.g. doctor, lawyer, accountant, engineer etc.
   • A serving or retired civil/public servant in Ghana
   • A serving or retired Clergyman
   • An Imam
   • A serving or retired Catechist
   • The President or Vice-President or Secretary of a Ghanaian national, cultural, professional or trade association in a foreign country duly registered with the Ghana Mission of that country
   • A serving or retired member of the security services e.g. Ghana Police Service, Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Prison Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service, NIB, Customs, Excise and Preventive Service of the Ghana Revenue Service and National Security
   • A current or past Member of Parliament, An Assembly or Unit Committee in Ghana
8. To start the registration, the applicant must
   • Go to: register.nia.gov.gh
   • Or visit the NIA website www.nia.gov.gh to find the registration portal.
   • Upon opening the portal to start the application, applicants must read the guidelines and instructions and agree to them. 
   • Complete the online application form. You must remember to write down the Registration ID and password you created before completing the online application form so you can go back to the form when you need to. This is very important.
   • Submit the online application form and make an online payment. Some banks may require you to notify them before you can use your bank card for the payment.
   • After paying, you will be directed to book a virtual interview appointment. If you are using the vouching process, you will be required to attend two interviews; your first one with be with a Commissioner for Oaths and the second interview is to confirm your Ghanaian citizenship. The link for the interview or interviews will be sent to your email address (the one you provided when you completed the online application form).
   • After attending the virtual interview or interviews, you will receive a QR code in your email.
   • When you receive the QR code, book a Biometrics Capture Appointment online which you will attend in person at the Mission Office. When you get to the Mission Office, your QR code will be scanned by the officers at the Mission Office to continue the registration process.
   • When going to the Mission Office, take the passport or Birth Certificate you used to complete the online application form with you. The Mission Office needs to see the originals.
   • After your QR code has been scanned, your picture and fingerprints will be taken after which your card will be printed and issued to you.
9. Please Note:
   • No photocopies are accepted
   • You cannot use this process to register for a new Ghana Card if:
     • you registered in Ghana for a Ghana Card but did not receive it
     • your Ghana Card is missing or
     • there is a mistake on your Ghana Card.
10. If you do, NIA will not issue a new Ghana Card to you and will not refund the payment you have made. NIA will inform the Mission Offices of when cards can be replaced or updated.
    • You cannot register for the Ghana Card without going through the online interview process.
    • You cannot visit the Mission Office to fill your forms or attend an interview. All this must be done online.
    • You cannot go to a Mission Office to book an interview. All this must be done online.
    • You cannot pay cash at the Mission Office for your application. You must pay online.
    • When online, do not select “Book an in-person interview”.
    • When completing the online application form, ensure that you select the “Ghanaian” button on the question: Type of Applicant.