Laos advances digital identity with electronic household registration

The government of Laos is replacing its traditional household registration books with a digital population registration system, marking another step in the country’s transition toward digital identity and paperless public services.

The Ministry of Public Security said it will stop the issuance of traditional household registration books as part of that switch, according to the Lao News Agency. This follows a government announcement in March to halt the issuance of hard copies of the Family Book.

Census Data Certificates will be issued in replacement of the old book and will now be the main proof of identity for household registrations in the country. However, citizens who do not yet have the new digital certificate will continue to use the book until the government issues a formal notice to cancel their validity.

Authorities have also announced that those who hold a national ID can use it in place of the book to carry out transactions with public institutions.

The reform follows the launch earlier this month of a national digital ID wallet, part of a broader government effort to replace paper credentials with digital identity and simplify access to public services.

To obtain the Census Data Certificate, citizens can approach the Public Security Commands of Vientiane and all provinces, the Department of Census and Grassroots Development, and Public Security Commands at the levels of districts and municipalities. All public entities have been called upon to recognize the new digital certificate as proof of identity for public transactions.

Laos joins a growing number of countries modernizing population registers that serve as the foundation of digital identity systems while phasing out paper-based identity documents.

An example is South Africa which has been working to establish an intelligent population register that would help streamline civil registration, digital identity and enhance access to services. The country’s Minister of Home Affairs is also pursuing a transition from the age-old green ID book to Smart ID cards.

Article Topics

digital government  |  digital ID infrastructure  |  digital identity  |  identity management  |  Laos