Citizenship Certificate for Study Abroad: What It Is and How to Get It

What Is a Citizenship Certificate?

A citizenship certificate, or nagarikta in Nepal, is the official paper that confirms you are a Nepali citizen.

It usually shows your name, date of birth, parents’ details, permanent address, citizenship number, issuing office and photo. Older certificates may use old ward or village names, and that is common. It only becomes a problem when your other papers do not line up with it.

You use it mainly in Nepal, before your application goes abroad. Keep it ready while you plan to study in Canada from Nepal or study in Australia from Nepal. Our study abroad resources cover your other papers.

Who Issues a Citizenship Certificate in Nepal?

The District Administration Office or Area Administration Office issues it, after your ward recommends your application.

Start at the ward that holds your family’s record. The ward chairperson certifies your form, and then you take it to the administration office. That office checks your papers and decides. The District Administration Office in Bardiya says applications go to the Chief District Officer.

Most students apply by descent, once they have turned 16. If your family has moved, ask your ward which migration papers you need. You can find the right address and code with our Nepal postal code finder.

Why Do You Need Citizenship to Study Abroad?

You need it for 3 main jobs in Nepal: your passport, your bank papers, and your family and sponsor records.

Citizenship confirms who you are, but it does not prove any money. Our guides to the NOC application process and the education loan process in Nepal show what else each step needs. A relationship certificate may still be needed for a sponsor.

Is Citizenship Required for Every Student Visa?

No: your passport is the main identity paper abroad, so add citizenship only if your list asks for it.

A visa office may ask for it as extra proof of nationality, family or address, but this differs by country and by case. Go by the checklist for your own country. See the Canada student visa requirements or the Australia student visa requirements.

Your citizenship is in Nepali, so ask if the office needs a translation. Don’t upload it just because a friend did. Every paper in your file should have 1 clear reason to be there, and a checklist is the best reason.

Should Your Citizenship Number Match Your Passport?

Yes: your passport is issued from your citizenship record, so your citizenship number and personal details should match your passport application.

The Department of Passports says you apply in Nepal at the office that issued your citizenship or minor ID. You must take your original certificate. You also need your National Identity Card or its number, and your old passport if you have one.

Check your name spelling, date of birth and number before you fill in the form. Your citizenship is often in Bikram Sambat, so check it with our Nepali date converter. Read more in our guide to the Nepal passport for study abroad.

What Documents Do You Need for a First Citizenship Certificate?

You usually need a ward-certified form, your parents’ citizenship, 2 photos, proof of your birth date, and someone to verify you.

Each office sets its own list, so ask yours first. This is what the District Administration Office in Ilam publishes for citizenship by descent:

Take originals along with your copies. Ilam lists a Rs 10 stamp and says it can issue the paper on the same day once your documents are complete. Other offices can differ.

How Do You Apply for Citizenship Step by Step?

Collect your family and birth papers, get your ward’s recommendation, then go to the administration office with the person who will verify you.

1. Check your category and office. Most students go by descent, but other cases follow separate rules.
2. Collect your papers. You need your birth, school, family and address records.
3. Get your ward’s certification. Fill in the form, and have the chairperson certify it.
4. Go to the office. Take your originals, copies and 2 photos, along with your parent or relative.
5. Give any extra proof. An office in Nepal can ask for more if your family details differ.
6. Check it before you leave. Read your name, birth date, parents’ names, address and number.

If you are in class 12 and still don’t have it, don’t leave this to the last month. Your passport comes after it, and your university papers come after that. So citizenship is often the first paper to sort out.

What If Your Citizenship Is Lost, Damaged or Wrong?

Go back to the office that issued it, because only an authorised office can give you a copy or correct it.

A photocopy or notary copy cannot replace your original. The District Administration Office in Bhaktapur publishes lists for copies. Its surname change list includes your ward’s recommendation, an application, your certificate with a photocopy, and 2 photos. All originals and copies must be shown there.

If your school records differ, first find out which paper is wrong. Then fix it at the office that issued it. Our guide on transcripts in Nepal helps if the error is in your academic record. If only your address has changed, see our address verification document guide.

Keep 1 English spelling across your passport and forms. Our counselors in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Chitwan, Itahari and Pokhara can check your papers, so talk to a Goreto counselor.