Ethiopian Origin ID Cards

In order to obtain an Ethiopian Origin ID Card, please complete an application form and follow the instructions

• In the past, all applicants were required to pick up the ID card in person at the Embassy. However, to give good services for the customer, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has amended this directive so that you can receive your Id card by mail.
• Note that, the embassy will no longer give services for those who come in person. Send all the necessary documents via post office only with a tracking number (UPS, USPS Express mail). Accordingly, the embassy will send your ID card by your return mail as soon as we received it from Ethiopia. You don’t have to call the Embassy to check whether your application has been received or returned back to you since you have the option to track it online at the respective mailing company’s website.
• Ethiopian Origin ID Cards are valid for five years. Please renew your ID card before the expiry date.
• You do not have to apply for a visa if you have a valid Ethiopian Origin ID card
• Finger print is mandatory to have Ethiopian Origin ID Card. But those who have already submitted their finger prints upon receipt of an electronic ID card earlier are not required to submit their finger prints again.
• The Embassy also advise all applicants to submit their applications AT LEAST 45 DAYS AHEAD of their planned travel date or prior to applying for any other services that require a valid Ethiopian Origin ID Card
• If the Embassy requests you to submit an additional document, please send it within a week. If you are informed for the third time to submit the necessary document and if you fail to submit the requested document, the Embassy shall be obliged to send your original document back to you and you will be requested to apply anew.

• A. Requirements for foreign nationals of Ethiopian Origin to obtain Ethiopian Origin ID Card
• B. Requirements for Spouses to obtain Ethiopian Origin ID Card
• C. Renewal of Ethiopian Origin ID Card
• D. Replacing a Lost Ethiopian Origin ID Card
• E. Replacing a Wornout / Damaged Ethiopian Origin ID Card

A. Requirements for foreign nationals of Ethiopian Origin to obtain Ethiopian Origin ID Card

• Fill out and submit two copies of Application forms. Click here to download the form
• Two copies of valid passport from the country of naturalization. The passport must be valid at least for 6 months.

Please attach one of the Documents Listed below with two Copies.

• Two copies of Supporting documents showing Ethiopian Origin
• Two copies of your old Ethiopian Passport (make sure to attach the pages which shows your name, your picture, date of issue and expiration date of the passport); or
• Two copies of Birth certificate which is authenticated through Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; or
• Two copies of Court document authenticated by Ministry of Foreign Affairs showing that you are the legal inheritor. The inheritor should be the son/daughter of biological parents who are/were Ethiopians; or
• Two copies of adoption court document. The document should be authenticated by Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The adoption document must show that the adoptee was given to the adopter by Ethiopian parents and the adoptee even him/herself was an Ethiopian at the time of the adoption; or
• Two copies of court document showing Ethiopian origin. The document should be authenticated by Ministry of Foreign Affairs; or
• Two copies of court document showing that one of the applicant’s parents or grandparents were Ethiopians. The document should be authenticated by Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Finger print of the Applicant (original and a copy). Please go to the nearest police station or to the companies authorized to take finger prints. We prefer to have your finger print on their Fingerprint capture form. If not, you can use ours click here to download the form
• Three (3) recent, color passport size Photographs (with white background and the name of the applicant at the back of the photograph);
• Payment of $200.00 in the form of Money Order payable to the Embassy of Ethiopia.
• A self-addressed return envelope which has a tracking number (UPS, or USPS EXPRESS MAIL) with it

B. Holder of Ethiopian Origin ID card who applied for Ethiopian Origin ID Card for their Spouse

• Fill out and submit two copies of application form. Click here to download the form.
• Two copies of valid passport of the spouse in question. The passport must be valid at least for 6 months.
• Two copies of marriage certificate. The marriage certificate should be authenticated through Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (If the marriage took place in Ethiopia) or authenticated through US Department of State (If the marriage took place in the US or other countries). The marriage should be valid for at least two years prior to the date of the application’s submission.
• The Ethiopian Origin ID Card is given only to Couples who can sign and submit a pledge form stating that their marriage is still valid. Click here to download the form.
• Two copies of valid Ethiopian Origin ID Card of the Applicant.
• Three (3) recent, color passport size photographs (with white background and name of the spouse in question at the back of the photograph).
• Finger print of the spouse in question (original and a copy). Please go to the nearest police station or to the companies authorized to take finger prints. We prefer to have your finger print on their Fingerprint capture form. If not you can use ours (click here to download the form)
• Payment of $200 in Money Order payable to Ethiopian Embassy.
• A self addressed return envelope which has a tracking number (UPS, or USPS EXPRESS MAIL) with it.

C. Renewal of Ethiopian Origin ID card

1. For Manual Ethiopian Origin ID
A person who wishes to renew Ethiopian Origin ID card should follow the steps outlined below. If your Ethiopian Origin ID card was expired for more than 6 months, please attach a note explaining the reason why you couldn’t renew on time.

• Fill out two copies of the application form. (Click here to download the form)
• Present your existing Ethiopian Origin ID Card with two copies of it.
• Additional document showing Ethiopian Origin:
• Two copies of Birth certificate which is authenticated through Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; or
• Attach Two copies of your old Ethiopian passport (please make sure to attach the pages which shows your name, your picture, date of issue and expiration date of the passport); or
• Two copies of document authenticated by Ministry of Foreign Affairs showing that you are the legal inheritor. The inheritor should be the son/daughter of biological parents who are/were Ethiopians; or
• Two copies of adoption court document. The document should be authenticated by Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The adoption document must show that the adoptee was given to the adopter by Ethiopian parents and the adoptee even him/herself was an Ethiopian at the time of the adoption; or
• Two copies of court documents showing Ethiopian origin. The document should be authenticated by Ministry of Foreign Affairs; or
• Two copies of court document showing that one of the applicant’s parents or grandparents were Ethiopians. The document should be authenticated by Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Two copies of Valid Passport. The passport must be valid at least for 6 months.
• Three (3) recent, color passport size Photographs (with white background and the name of the applicant at the back of the photograph);
• If the Ethiopian Origin ID Card was issued through marriage, the couple should sign and submit a pledge form stating that their marriage is still valid (Click here to download the form) and should present two copies of valid Ethiopian Origin ID Card of the spouse.
• The fingerprint of the Applicant (original and a copy). Please go to the nearest police station or to the company’s authorized to take finger prints. We prefer to have your fingerprint on their Fingerprint capture form. If not you can use ours (click here to download the form). Those who have already submitted a fingerprint upon receipt of an electronic Ethiopian Origin ID Card earlier are not required to submit again. However if you have yellow (manual) card, submitting a fingerprint is mandatory.
• Payment of $200 in the form of money order payable to Ethiopian Embassy.
• A self addressed return Envelope with sufficient prepaid Postage ((UPS, or USPS EXPRESS MAIL)).

2 . For Digital Ethiopian Origin ID
A person who wishes to renew Ethiopian Origin ID card should follow the steps outlined below. If your Ethiopian Origin ID card was expired for more than 6 months, please attach a note explaining the reason why you couldn’t renew on time.

•  Fill out two copies of the application form. (Click here to download the form)
• Present your existing Ethiopian Origin ID Card with two copies of it.
  Additional document showing Ethiopian Origin:
• Three (3) recent, color passport size Photographs (with white background and the name of the applicant at the back of the photograph);
• If the Ethiopian Origin ID Card was issued through marriage, the couple should sign and submit a pledge form stating that their marriage is still valid (Click here to download the form) and should present two copies of valid Ethiopian Origin ID Card of the spouse.
•  Payment of $200 in the form of money order payable to Ethiopian Embassy.
• A self-addressed return Envelope with sufficient prepaid Postage (UPS, or USPS EXPRESS MAIL).

D Replacing a Lost ID Card

A person who wishes to obtain a replacement of lost ID card should follow the steps outlined below.

1. Fill out two copies of the application form. (Click here to download the form).
2. Two copies of a lost Ethiopian Origin ID Card (if applicable).
3.  An application letter stating the loss of Ethiopian ID card. Please state the Date and Place of Issue of the lost ID card on your letter.

Additional document showing Ethiopian Origin:

• Two copies of Birth certificate which is authenticated through Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; or
• Attach Two copies of your old Ethiopian passport (please make sure to attach the pages which shows your name, your picture, date of issue and expiration date of the passport); or
• Two copies of document authenticated by Ministry of Foreign Affairs showing that you are the legal inheritor. The inheritor should be the son/daughter of biological parents who are/were Ethiopians; or
• Two copies of adoption court document. The document should be authenticated by Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The adoption document must show that the adoptee was given to the adopter by Ethiopian parents and the adoptee even him/herself was an Ethiopian at the time of the adoption; or
• Two copies of court document showing Ethiopian origin. The document should be authenticated by Ministry of Foreign Affairs; or
• Two copies of court document showing that one of the applicant’s parents or grandparents were Ethiopians. The document should be authenticated by Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Two copies of a Valid Passport. The passport must be valid at-least for 6 months.
• If the Ethiopian Origin ID Card was issued through marriage, the couple should sign and submit a pledge form stating that their marriage is still valid (Click here to download the form) and should present two copies of valid Ethiopian Origin ID Card of the  spouse.
• Finger print of the Applicant (original and a copy). Please go to the nearest police station or to the company’s authorized to take finger prints. We prefer to have your finger print on their Fingerprint capture form. If not you can use ours (click here to download the form).Those who have already submitted a fingerprint upon receipt of an electronic Ethiopian Origin ID Card earlier are not required to submit again. However if you have yellow (manual) card, submitting a fingerprint is mandatory.
• Three (3) recent, colored photographs of size 3×4 cm with white background and name of the applicant at the back of the photograph.
• Payments should be made in the form of Money Order payable to Ethiopian Embassy;
  •  Replacement of a lost ID Card for the first time $240;
  •  Replacement of a lost ID Card for the Second time $300;
  •  Replacement of a lost ID Card for the third time and more $400;
• A self addressed return envelope which has a tracking number (UPS, or USPS EXPRESS MAIL) with it. . (Referee the above C, for Manual or Digital Ethiopian Origin ID)

E. Replacing a Worn-out / Damaged ID card

A person who wishes to obtain a replacement of Worn-out / Damaged ID card should follow the steps outlined below.

• Fill out two copies of the application form. (Click here to download the form).
• Two copies of Valid Passport. The passport must be valid at least for 6 months.
• Two copies of the worn-out / damaged Ethiopian Origin ID Card.
• Finger print of the Applicant (original and a copy). Please go to the nearest police station or to the company’s authorized to take finger prints. We prefer to have your finger print on their Fingerprint capture form. If not, you can use ours    ( click here to download the form )
• Two (2) recent, color passport size photographs (with white background and name of the applicant at the back of the photograph).
• A self addressed return envelope which has a tracking number (UPS, or USPS EXPRESS MAIL) with it. (Referee the above C, for Manual or Digital Ethiopian Origin ID)