IOM, UNICEF, WFP, UNHCR, NRC: Documentation and Legal Identity in Afghanistan
August 2023
Access to legal identity is essential for Afghans to overcome mobility and protection challenges. Yet, the majority of Afghans do not possess passports or other vital civil documents like tazkiras. Since August 2021, it has become even harder to obtain identification and civil registration documents due to rising costs, office closures, staff shortages, and confusing procedures.
To assess the current civil documentation and identity management landscape in Afghanistan and provide actionable recommendations to enhance the protection of all Afghans across the country, Samuel Hall worked with the International Organization for Migration, UNICEF, WFP, UNHCR, and NRC and the Interagency Working Group on Legal Identity (TWG) to publish a research study that provides the latest updates on this issue of rights in Afghanistan.
The study investigated civil documentation and identity management in Afghanistan, with a focus on accessibility to essential services and the acceptance of legal documents within Afghan society. It also aimed to identify opportunities for addressing these challenges and supporting the Afghan population.
Our research finds that Tazkiras, passports, and marriage certificates are among the most sought-after documents due to the widespread demand for humanitarian assistance across the country. However, accessing has become increasingly challenging with factors such as gender, displacement status, education, and age significantly contributing to this inaccessibility.
Moving forward, it is crucial to strengthen civil registration systems and establish more processing centres. Humanitarian actors must also emphasise the connection between migration, displacement, and legal identity and build public awareness. Adequate funding for interventions related to legal identity and civic documentation will be crucial.