Northern Cyprus removes parents' names from new biometric ID cards

From July 2026 the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus began issuing new biometric identity cards that no longer include the holder’s parents’ names. The change was introduced without a public announcement after a contract amendment with the card‑printing company. Officials said the revision follows European Union Regulation 1208/2025 and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines, citing privacy protection and the desire to avoid exposing personal data such as the names of unknown fathers.

The Ministry of Interior confirmed that the cards still contain all essential identification details – photo, name, birth date, citizenship, gender, signature, personal number and height – and that parents’ details remain accessible through birth certificates and the population registry. The adjustment aligns with practices in most EU member states, where identity documents also omit parental information. The ELAM party criticized the move as an erosion of the “sacred family institution”.

The policy does not require a change to domestic law, as the regulation is optional for EU states and was applied by the Northern Cyprus authorities through an administrative decision.