The Directorate General of Personal Status in Lebanon has launched an electronic service for individual and family civil extracts to simplify citizens' transactions and convert civil data into a unified electronic model with a QR code for data verification.
However, this service does not mean that citizens can obtain the civil extract completely from home without visiting any official office. The Directorate clarifies that the issuance of the electronic civil extract is exclusively conducted at the civil status offices, although the application form can be filled out online on the Directorate’s official website before submitting it in person.
Steps to Obtain an Electronic Individual Civil Extract in Lebanon:
1. Accessing the Civil Extract Application Form
The application form for the civil or identification document from the civil status can be accessed directly on the Directorate General of Personal Status's official website. The form includes a range of personal information, such as the governorate, district, town or neighborhood, personal and parental names, birth date and place, family status, identity card and record numbers, and religious affiliation.
2. Completing the Application Online
Enter the required information accurately in the online form and specify the required document, which in this case is the electronic individual civil extract. It is crucial to ensure that the provided data matches the official records to avoid processing delays.
3. Printing and Signing the Application
According to the Directorate's instructions, the application can be filled out online and then printed, or the form can be printed and filled out manually. In completing the required procedures, the application must be signed by the local official (Mukhtar) according to proper protocols before being submitted to the civil status office.
4. Preparing the Required Documents
To obtain the electronic civil extract for the first time, the Directorate's instructions indicate that a set of documents must be attached:
Required Documents
- The completed and properly signed civil extract application.
- Two certified photographs according to the regulations.
- A previous electronic civil extract or a clear copy of it, if applicable.
Where to Submit the Application?
The crucial point in the process of obtaining the electronic civil extract is that the issuance is exclusively carried out at civil status offices, so submitting the application online alone and waiting for the civil extract to be emailed is not sufficient. For first-time obtainers of the electronic civil extract, it must be procured from the registered civil place. After previously obtaining an electronic civil extract, citizens in applicable cases can request it from their residence instead of the registered place.
Can It Be Obtained from the Place of Residence?
Yes, but not in all cases. According to the instructions from the Directorate General of Personal Status, an electronic civil extract can be obtained from the place of residence if the citizen has previously received an electronic civil extract from their registered civil place. This means that a first-time requester cannot simply choose any nearby civil status office based on their residence to issue the document.
What Happens If Civil Data Changes?
If alterations in a citizen's data occur after acquiring the electronic civil extract, such as marriage, divorce, or record corrections, a new electronic civil extract must be obtained solely from the registered civil place according to the Directorate's instructions. Therefore, relying on an old electronic civil extract is inadvisable if there are official changes to the personal data.
Is the Electronic Civil Extract Official?
Yes, the Directorate General of Personal Status has endorsed a unified electronic model for individual and family civil extracts, which includes a QR code to verify the data's validity. Civil status offices started issuing civil extracts according to the new electronic model from September 11, 2023.
Can Lebanese Abroad Obtain an Electronic Civil Extract?
There is a specific mechanism for Lebanese residing outside Lebanon. The Directorate's instructions clarify that Lebanese citizens abroad can acquire the electronic civil extracts by submitting a request to the Directorate General of Personal Status through the Lebanese embassy in their residing country, with the ambassador's signature on the application and required photographs as stipulated.
Can the Electronic Civil Extract Be Used in Official Transactions?
The electronic civil extract is a recognized official document issued by the Directorate General of Personal Status, complete with a code for data verification. The Directorate also facilitates obtaining identity-related documents using information from the electronic civil extract and the identity card itself.
Difference Between Online Application Filling and Obtaining the Civil Extract Online
The distinction is significant:
- Filling the application: Can be done electronically on the Directorate General of Personal Status's website.
- Printing the application: Possible after completing it online.
- Submitting the application: Conducted at the civil status office as per required procedures.
- Issuing the electronic civil extract: Carried out exclusively via civil status offices.
- Obtaining it from residence: Available in cases with a previously issued electronic civil extract from the registered place.
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