Digital ID cards now in full operation 

Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on Tuesday announced that the commencement order has been issued to bring the Digital Identity Card Act of 2023 into full operation as of today. Registry offices to support the rollout of the digital ID system have already been established in Regions Two, Three, Four and Five, with plans underway to expand to the remaining six administrative regions. Speaking in a video message issued on his official social media on Tuesday evening, the PM noted that the move represents a major step forward in modernising how the Government delivers services to citizens across Guyana.
“Citizens of Guyana, I am pleased to announce that in accordance with the Digital Identity Card Act of 2023, the commencement order has been issued, bringing the Act into full operation as of today, March 31, 2026. This marks a major step forward in modernising how the Government serves you,” Phillips noted. He explained that the foundational requirements for implementation have already been met, including the establishment of key systems and institutions.
“This includes the appointment of a Data Protection Commission, the implementation of a secure system and database for the capture and storage of your information, and the establishment of the robust system to produce and issue your digital ID card,” the PM stated. According to him, the enrolment process has been designed to ensure ease of access for citizens, relying primarily on data already submitted to state agencies.
“To ensure a seamless experience, the enrolment process focuses on specific and relevant data already held within our state infrastructure. For the avoidance of doubt, the information you are required to provide to the registry is that which you have already provided to state authorities in the past. This approach requires submission of data to which you are already familiar,” he said. The PM also sought to reassure the public about concerns surrounding data protection and privacy.
“Your privacy remains our absolute priority. As we launch this registry, the Government is working assiduously to establish the necessary mechanisms to bring the Data Protection Act into full effect. When that Act comes into full force and effect, we will then request from you data of a more private and personal nature,” he added. Providing further details on access points, he noted that registry offices are currently operational at Cotton Field, Anna Regina, in Region Two; the West Central Mall in Leonora, Region Three; Campbellville in Region Four; and Fort Wellington on the West Coast of Berbice (WCB) in Region Five.
“Very soon, offices will be established in all other administrative regions. Together, we are building a more secure and digitally connected Guyana,” he said. The Digital Identity Card Act of 2023 was passed as part of the Government’s broader digital transformation agenda aimed at improving efficiency, security and access to public services. The legislation provides the legal framework for the creation of a national digital identification system, enabling citizens to verify their identity electronically for Government and, eventually, private sector services. The initiative is expected to streamline transactions, reduce fraud and enhance service delivery across sectors such as healthcare, finance, and public administration. Central to the Act is the integration of secure data systems and the phased implementation of data protection measures to safeguard citizens’ personal information.