Renew your CPR (ID card) online on bahrain.bh or at an iGA ID card centre in Isa Town or Seef Mall: it costs BD 2 for Bahrainis and BD 10 for residents, plus BD 1 postage online, and an online renewal takes about 2 working days.
Official pages call the CPR the "ID card" (بطاقة الهوية). You renew it with the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA).
When you can renew
- From one month before the card expires. Applying earlier counts as replacing a lost or damaged card.
- An expired card can still be renewed.
- A card lasts 5 years, or 10 years if you are over 70.
Fees
- Bahrainis: BD 2. At a centre, BD 1 if you are 60 or over.
- Residents: BD 10 at a centre, BD 11 online (BD 1 of it is postage).
- Bahrainis applying online also pay BD 1 postage.
- The Fast Track office, with no appointment, costs more: BD 12 in all for Bahrainis, BD 20 for residents.
- Pay by debit card, credit card, or cash at a TAM kiosk.
What you need
- A valid passport.
- A recent colour photo on a white background, no more than six months old. Online it must be under 3 MB (jpg, png or gif); print it if you go to a centre.
- An active electricity and water account at your address. If you have moved since your last card, update your address first.
- Residents: a valid residence permit. If you are registered with the LMRA, first update your address with its free Update Expatriate Employee Address service.
- Your fingerprint and signature on record. If you are 10 or over and they were never taken, book an appointment and go in person.
- To apply online: an eKey to log in, and for Bahrainis, being in Bahrain at the time.
Where to go in person
- Isa Town ID card centre (Building 1088, Road 4025, Block 840): Bahrainis and GCC citizens 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, residents 7:30 am to 2 pm.
- Seef Mall, Muharraq ID card centre (Building 154, Shop 1107, Road 29, Block 240): Bahrainis and GCC citizens 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. Residents can use its Fast Track office, 7:30 am to 2 pm.
- Both are open Sunday to Thursday, and 8 am to 2 pm in Ramadan. They close on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays.
- Book an appointment with the ID Card Appointments Booking and Enquiry service on bahrain.bh, or call 80008001. The Fast Track office needs no appointment, and Bahrainis aged 60 or over and people with special needs do not need one either.
- Workers registered with the LMRA: at the regular counters only the sponsor or CR holder can come, by appointment. The worker can go to the Fast Track office without one.
Online, the new card comes by Bahrain Post to the address on your record, so check that address before you apply.
Steps
- Check the expiry date on your card: you can renew from one month before it.
- Make sure your address and electricity account are up to date, and, for residents, your residence permit.
- Log in to bahrain.bh with your eKey and open ID Card Issuance Services, or book a centre appointment.
- Fill in the form, attach your photo and pay.
- Online, the card is posted to you after about 2 working days. At a centre, a Bahraini's card is ready in about 30 minutes.
Recommended places
- Identity Card Service Centre, Isa Town
- Identity Card Service Centre, Seef Mall Muharraq