The National Registration Department (NRD) is a Department under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is responsible for the registration of important events of every individual such as birth, death, adoption, marriage and divorce. In addition, NRD is also responsible for determining citizenship status and subsequently, the issue of identification document in the form of identity card to eligible individuals.
The National Registration Department was established after the Emergency (Registration Areas) Regulations 1948 were enforced as one of the measure to counter security threats. These regulations require that all citizens register and obtain identity card upon attaining the age of 12 and above. The department was also given additional functions to register all significant events which include the registration of birth, death, adoption, marriage, divorce and citizenship.