MyKad is Malaysia's national identity card, issued by the National Registration Department (JPN). Every Malaysian citizen who turns 12 must register, under Regulation 3 of the National Registration Regulations 1990 (Amendment 2007). Application is free if made within 30 days of the 12th birthday; after that a fee of RM10 applies until the applicant turns 16.
- Issued by the National Registration Department (JPN)
- Mandatory for citizens who turn 12
- Free within 30 days of the 12th birthday, then RM10 until age 16
- Contains a microchip plus fingerprint and facial biometric data
- Replaces MyKid, the identity card for children under 12
Who this applies to: Malaysian citizens, parents handling their children's registration, and anyone who needs to verify identity in Malaysia.
On this page
Bahasa Malaysia: Kad Pengenalan Pintar · English: Malaysian Identity Card · 中文: 大马卡
MyKad is Malaysia’s national identity card, issued by the National Registration Department (JPN). It is more than just proof of identity — the embedded microchip stores fingerprint and facial biometric data, and it is used across legal, financial and administrative dealings throughout the country.
In practice
MyKad registration is mandatory, not optional. Regulation 3 of the National Registration Regulations 1990 (Amendment 2007) provides that every Malaysian citizen child who turns 12 must register.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuer | National Registration Department (JPN) |
| Mandatory age | 12 years old |
| Fee within 30 days | Free |
| Fee after 30 days | RM10, until age 16 |
| Base documents | Original birth certificate and parent’s/guardian’s identity card |
Application is made at any JPN counter, with the applicant present together with a parent or guardian. Before age 12, a child holds MyKid, and the transition from MyKid to MyKad marks a citizen’s first formal identity registration milestone.
Related terms
Sources
- Portal JPN — MyKad Application For Children Aged 12 — Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara
- Identity Card — Portal Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara — Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara
- About MyKad — Portal Rasmi Kerajaan Malaysia — Kerajaan Malaysia
Change history
| Version | Date | Change | By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01.00 | 24 Jul 2026 | Approved and published. | — |