Everything you need to know about the procedure for obtaining the digital national ID card in Cameroon 📲

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Since February 17, 2025, a new online pre-enrollment procedure has been launched to obtain the National Identity Card (CNI) in Cameroon. This process aims to simplify administrative procedures and speed up the issuance of the CNI. Here’s everything you need to know about the current procedure implemented by the General Delegation for National Security.

The online pre-enrollment procedure 🌐

Long awaited, the pre-enrollment for the digital CNI is now done directly on the website www.idcam.cm. Here are the steps to follow for your pre-enrollment:

1. Choose the language: Select your preferred language (French or English).
2. Start pre-enrollment: Click on the « Start your pre-enrollment » button. Then enter your email address or phone number and validate.
3. Receive the code: After validation, a code will be sent to you via SMS or email, depending on the information provided.
4. Validate the code: Enter the received code and validate it on the website.
5. Fill out the information form: Complete the online information form. Some fields are mandatory, while others are optional.
6. Proceed to payment: Once the form is completed, you will proceed with the payment via your chosen method (Yoomee, MTN Mobile Money, Orange Money, etc.).
7. Schedule an appointment for physical enrollment: After payment, you must select the date and location for your physical enrollment.
8. Print the information form: At the end of this step, the system generates a PDF information form.

You must print this form and present it on the day of your enrollment, along with the required documents. Note that the necessary documentation remains free of charge. This includes the legalization of the birth certificate and the nationality certificate.

Physical enrollment🏢

Once your online pre-enrollment is complete, you will need to visit identification centers in regional capitals to finalize the process. The appointment is crucial for submitting the required documents, taking photographs, recording biometric data, and completing your application for the digital CNI.

Physical enrollment is essential for validating the information entered online and collecting the necessary biometric data for the card’s creation. This step ensures the authenticity of your digital CNI.

Processing time for the digital CNI ⏳

Once all steps are completed, the digital CNI will be ready within just 48 hours. This represents a major improvement compared to the previous system, which often took several months. The increased speed also aims to enhance efficiency and reduce citizens’ waiting times.

It is now possible to obtain a valid identity card in less than two days after physical enrollment, which is a significant time-saving advantage.

Receipts and double identity cases 🔄

For citizens holding a receipt from the old system, the DGSN has announced that the processing of pending CNIs is ongoing. These individuals must also complete their online pre-enrollment at www.idcam.cm to finalize their request and obtain their digital CNI.

Regarding cases of double identity, requests have been handled since January 10, 2025. Affected individuals must also follow the online pre-enrollment procedure to regularize their situation. This process aims to clean up identification data and prevent future confusion.

The online pre-enrollment procedure for the digital CNI is now open. It allows you to obtain your ID card in just 48 hours. If you haven’t started yet, visit www.idcam.cm to begin your pre-enrollment and complete the process as soon as possible. Stay vigilant, as scams are on the rise.

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What do you think of this innovation? Share your experiences in the comments! 🙂‍↔️