Ghana Card fees to change from 2 February as NIA rolls out revised charges

Ghanaians will begin paying new fees for Ghana Card-related services from Monday, 2 February 2026, following the National Identification Authority’s (NIA) decision to implement a revised fee structure approved by Parliament.
The changes, contained in a new legislative instrument — the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2512) — were passed in November 2025 and authorise the NIA to adjust selected charges in line with current economic realities.
In a statement to the public, the Authority explained that the review is part of efforts to protect the long-term sustainability of the Ghana Card system, which has now become the backbone of identity verification for banking, SIM registration, public sector services and several private transactions.
“The Ghana Card is no longer just an ID card; it is now critical national infrastructure. Sustaining it requires modest but necessary adjustments to fees after years of cost absorption,” the NIA said.
The NIA disclosed that the existing fee structure was developed in 2022 and approved in 2023. However, over the past two years, the Authority has absorbed increasing operational costs without any corresponding adjustments to charges.
Key cost pressures identified include expenditure on technology licensing, cybersecurity systems, logistics, utilities and personnel, all of which remain high despite relative stability in exchange rates.
The Authority stressed that many of these costs are structural and cannot be reversed, making a fee review unavoidable.
Under the revised charges, services at NIA district offices will remain affordable for ordinary citizens, with some categories still enjoying free registration.
Applicants below 25 years seeking first-time registration will continue to be registered free of charge, while those aged 25 years and above will pay GHC30.
Other approved fees at district offices include GHC200 for card replacement, GHC150 for card renewal, and GHC200 for nationality update. Record updates without card replacement will remain free, while card transfer services will cost GHC75.
Applicants who opt for faster and more convenient services at NIA Premium Centres will pay higher rates. First-time registration at premium centres will cost GHC410, while card replacement will attract GHC520. Record updates that involve card replacement at premium centres will also cost GHC410.
The NIA explained that premium services are designed for clients who prefer expedited processing and dedicated service environments.
Foreign nationals accessing services under the Foreigner Identification Management System (FIMS) will continue to pay fees benchmarked in US dollars but converted into cedis at prevailing rates.
First-time registration will attract the cedi equivalent of USD120, while annual renewal will cost the equivalent of USD78. Multiple-year renewals (minimum of two years) will be charged at USD75 per year. Record updates without replacement will remain free.
The Authority has encouraged the public to verify all approved fees through its official website and communication platforms to avoid misinformation and exploitation by middlemen.
With the Ghana Card now central to national development planning and service delivery, the NIA maintains that the revised fees are a necessary step to ensure efficiency, security and reliability of the identification system going forward.