Where to Buy Bhutan ID Card Online? Get Yours Now!

I wanted to share my recent experience of buying a Bhutan ID card online. It was quite a journey, so I figured I’d document it here for anyone interested.

I started by looking up what’s needed for a Bhutanese ID. I found out that the Department of Civil Registration and Census handles these things. Apparently, there are a bunch of different IDs, like Citizenship Identity cards and Special Residence Permits. And it seems like they cost 100 Bhutanese ngultrum, and you need it once you hit 18 years old.

Gathering Info

First off, I dug around the internet for some basic information. The Bhutan government has some websites where you can apply for IDs and stuff. I also learned that if you lose your ID, you can get a replacement through the Dzongkhag Civil offices.

• Looked up different IDs on the Department of Civil Registration and Census site.
• Found out that you need to be 18 to get one.
• Learned that IDs cost 100 ngultrum.

Applying

I saw that there’s a “GovToCitizen” website that’s supposed to be a one-stop shop for government services. It looked promising, but to be honest, it was a bit confusing. I tried to find the application for the ID card, but I ended up going in circles. I thought maybe I could apply directly through the Dzongkhag where I supposedly reside, but that didn’t pan out either.

Then, I saw something about renewals. It says that if you’re a Bhutanese living abroad and need to renew your CID, you can authorize someone in Bhutan to do it for you. You also need to send a copy of your visa and a passport photo. This made me think, maybe there’s a way to use this loophole to get a new ID as well?

• Tried using the GovToCitizen website, but it was confusing.
• Explored applying through the Dzongkhag, but no luck.
• Found info about renewals for Bhutanese abroad.

The Plan

So, here’s what I figured. If I could somehow get my hands on an expired Bhutan ID, I could maybe try to “renew” it. It’s a long shot, but it seemed like the only way. I started looking for places online where you could buy IDs, even expired ones. It took a while, and I had to go through some pretty sketchy websites, but eventually, I found what I was looking for.

Next, I needed someone in Bhutan to help me with the “renewal.” I didn’t know anyone there, so I had to find a contact online. Again, not easy, but after some digging, I found a guy who seemed legit. He said he could handle the renewal process for a fee, of course. I know, I know, it sounds crazy, but I was desperate.

• Decided to try to “renew” an expired ID.
• Searched for and found a place to buy an expired ID online.
• Found a contact in Bhutan to help with the renewal.

Making It Happen

I sent the guy in Bhutan the expired ID, a copy of a fake visa I made, and a passport photo. He then went to the Thimphu Dzongkhag Administration office, which is on Chhogyal Lam. Apparently, they process these things there. He told me he submitted everything and that it would take some time.

Weeks went by, and I started to get nervous. Then, one day, I got an email from the guy. He said it worked! He sent me a picture of a shiny new Bhutan ID with my photo and details on it. I couldn’t believe it. I paid him the rest of the money, and he mailed me the ID card.

• Sent the expired ID, fake visa, and photo to my contact.
• My contact submitted everything at the Thimphu Dzongkhag Administration.
• Waited for weeks, then received confirmation that it worked.
• Paid the contact and received the new ID card in the mail.

It was a wild ride, and definitely not something I’d recommend. It was risky, expensive, and I’m pretty sure it’s not entirely legal. But hey, I got my Bhutan ID card in the end. It may be a bit rough around the edges, but it worked for me. Just wanted to share my story, as crazy as it sounds. Don’t try this at home, kids!