Documentation

The Federal Government of Somalia and Somaliland have established frameworks for issuing official identity documentation to citizens, refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons (IDPs). In Somalia, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), created under the 2023 Identification and Registration Act, is mandated to oversee biometric registration and issue national ID cards valid for ten years. Puntland and Somaliland also operate their own identification systems. Somaliland’s national ID program has been active since 2015, issuing identity cards to citizens. Refugees in Somaliland are provided with refugee ID cards valid for three years and asylum seeker cards valid for one year. In Puntland and South-Central Somalia, pilot programs to issue refugee IDs are underway in partnership with UNHCR.

Despite these efforts, only an estimated 9% of Somalia’s population holds official identification. This documentation gap leaves forcibly displaced persons (FDPs)—particularly refugees and asylum seekers—at risk of detention, exclusion from public services, and economic marginalization. The situation is compounded by weak legal frameworks, inadequate infrastructure, and limited public awareness. In regions like Puntland, undocumented individuals are particularly vulnerable during security operations targeting armed groups, including those linked to extremism.

While UNHCR-issued certificates offer a temporary form of identification, their recognition is inconsistent. Some local institutions accept them, while others do not, limiting access to services and rights. State-issued IDs, by contrast, are more widely recognized by public and private sectors, particularly in Somaliland. Somalia has initiated efforts to integrate National Identification Numbers (NINs) into the banking system, aiming to enhance ID usage in financial and service sectors.

Access to state-issued IDs is essential for FDPs to claim healthcare, education, employment, and legal protection. However, challenges persist, especially for women and marginalized groups, who face discrimination, documentation fees, and administrative delays. While identity cards are generally issued free of charge to FDPs, travel documents—such as passports or Convention Travel Documents (CTDs)—often incur costs and are rarely issued in practice, despite legal provisions allowing them.

Somalia and Somaliland both mandate non-discriminatory issuance of civil documentation, including birth registration. Efforts are underway to expand birth registration coverage, especially for children in displaced communities. However, high rates of home births, institutional weaknesses, and legal ambiguity regarding foreign-issued documents continue to impede civil registration. In addition, traditional and religious marriage or divorce practices are often not officially recognized, complicating documentation.

Legal remedies for denied documentation exist through administrative or judicial appeals. Nonetheless, access remains limited due to weak enforcement, high costs, and lack of awareness. Appeals related to travel document denials are allowed on national security or public order grounds, though no specific mechanisms exist for FDPs.