Alright, so I needed a Kazakhstan ID card, and let me tell you, the process was something else. I started by looking up what I needed to do. Seemed like I had to go to some government office, the “NJSC State Corporation ‘Government for Citizens’” or something like that. Sounded like a real fun time.
First thing I did was try to find this place. I had to go to the one at the “place of residence” or something. After some digging, I finally found the address and figured out how to get there. It wasn’t exactly close, so that was a bit of a drag.
Once I got there, I had to fill out a bunch of forms. I mean, a lot of forms. One was called an “Identification statement” or something, and it was all about proving I was who I said I was. It was a whole thing about checking my citizenship status and all that jazz.

- Filled out the identification statement. This was basically a form confirming who I am.
- Provided proof of residence. Had to show them where I live in Kazakhstan.
- Waited in line. Of course, there was a line. There’s always a line.
- Submitted all the paperwork. Handed over all the forms and documents they asked for.
They also needed a photo, and apparently, there are specific requirements for it. It had to be 35mm wide. Luckily, I found this online tool called “IDPhotoDIY” which is supposed to help you get the right size photo. I had a friend take a picture of me. But apparently, selfies don’t count. Who knew?
After I submitted everything, they said it would take some time to process. “Some time” turned out to be a few weeks. They said I could check the status online, but that website was a mess and didn’t even work half the time.
Waiting Game
This was the worst part. Just waiting around, not knowing what was going on. I tried calling a few times, but no one ever picked up. Eventually, I just gave up and waited.
Finally Got It
After what felt like forever, I finally got a notification that my ID card was ready. I went back to that government office, waited in line again, and finally got my hands on it. It was a huge relief, to be honest. I’d say the whole thing is super complicated, but once you know where to go and get the right papers it’s not too bad. Remember to check all their rules for the photo, too. That’s really important.
So yeah, that’s how I got my Kazakhstan ID card. It wasn’t the easiest thing in the world, but I got it done. If you need to get one, just be prepared for a bit of a bureaucratic adventure. And bring a book for all that waiting.