Quick Answer
To obtain or renew an Iranian National ID card (Kart Melli) from the United States, you must register on the Mikhak system at mikhak.msrt.ir, then submit an application with your Shenasnameh, existing Kart Melli (if renewing), passport-size photos meeting Iranian specifications, and a money order for the consular fee to the Iranian Interests Section at 2209 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007. Processing takes several weeks. The Kart Melli displays your 10-digit national ID number (Code Melli).
What Is a Kart Melli and Why Do You Need One?
The Kart Melli is Iran's mandatory national identity card for all Iranian citizens. It displays your name (in Persian), national ID number (Code Melli — a unique 10-digit number), photograph, date of birth, and place of birth. The Code Melli printed on the Kart Melli is required for virtually all Iranian government transactions, including registering on the Mikhak system, completing Iranian tax filings, inheriting property in Iran, opening Iranian bank accounts, and filing documents with Iranian courts. Even Iranians who have lived outside Iran their entire adult lives need a valid Kart Melli for any interaction with Iranian bureaucratic systems.
Situations That Require a Kart Melli Application from Abroad
- First-time issuance: You are an Iranian national who never received a Kart Melli (including Iranians born outside Iran who have been registered in the civil registry system)
- Renewal: Your existing Kart Melli has expired or is about to expire
- Lost or stolen: Your Kart Melli was lost or stolen while abroad
- Name change: Your registered name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or legal name change
- Correction: Information on your existing Kart Melli contains an error that needs to be corrected
- Smart card upgrade: Replacing an older non-electronic Kart Melli with the current smart card format
Step 1: Register on the Mikhak System
Before applying for a Kart Melli, you must have an active Mikhak registration at mikhak.msrt.ir. Mikhak registration requires your Code Melli (national ID number). If you are applying for a first-time Kart Melli because you don't yet have a Code Melli, this creates a procedural challenge — contact the Iranian Interests Section at (202) 965-4990 for guidance on first-time issuance when no Code Melli exists yet.
Required Documents for Kart Melli Application
- Shenasnameh (Iranian civil registry booklet) — original and photocopies of pages 1, 2, and any pages showing amendments
- Current Iranian passport — original and photocopy of biographical page
- Existing Kart Melli if renewing — original and photocopy of both sides (if the card has been lost, include a loss report if available)
- Two passport-size photos: 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm or 2×2 inches, white/off-white background, no glasses, women must wear Islamic hijab, neutral expression, printed on photo paper
- Completed Kart Melli application form with Mikhak reference number
- Money order for consular fee (payable to Iranian Interests Section — no cash or personal checks)
Submitting Your Application to the Interests Section
Mail your completed application package to the Iranian Interests Section at 2209 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007. Use a trackable courier service and keep your tracking number and copies of all submitted documents. The Interests Section forwards your application to Iran's Ministry of Interior for biometric data capture and card production. The completed Kart Melli is sent back to the Interests Section and then mailed to you.
Processing Time for Kart Melli from Abroad
Processing time for Kart Melli applications from the United States is comparable to passport processing — typically several weeks to a few months. The exact timeline depends on current application volume at the Interests Section and the Ministry of Interior's processing queue. There is no expedited option. Plan for a minimum of 2–3 months from submission to receipt.
What Your Code Melli Looks Like and How to Find It
Your Code Melli is a unique 10-digit national ID number assigned to every Iranian citizen at birth (or at first registration). It appears on your Kart Melli and also on your Shenasnameh. If you have lost your Kart Melli and are unsure of your Code Melli, check your Shenasnameh, which also lists the Code Melli. The Code Melli never changes — it is yours for life, regardless of name changes or other civil status changes.
How Iranian Citizen Services Can Help
Iranian Citizen Services (ICS), based in Irvine, CA, assists Iranian nationals with Kart Melli applications from the United States and Canada. ICS helps with Mikhak registration, document compilation, application form completion, and package review before submission. For first-time Kart Melli applicants or those with complex situations (no existing Code Melli, name discrepancies), ICS can help identify the correct procedural path. ICS charges a consulting fee; consular fees are paid directly to the Interests Section. ICS is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Shenasnameh instead of a Kart Melli for Iranian government transactions?
The Shenasnameh and Kart Melli serve different purposes. Many Iranian government systems require your Code Melli, which is on both documents. However, for authentication purposes — such as signing legal documents or appearing before Iranian authorities — the Kart Melli is often specifically required. A Shenasnameh alone is generally not a substitute for a valid Kart Melli in most modern Iranian administrative processes.
My Kart Melli expired 10 years ago. Do I need to do anything special to renew it?
A long-expired Kart Melli can still be submitted as your existing ID document for the renewal application. You do not need to do anything special beyond the standard renewal process. Include your expired card and its photocopy in your application package along with your current Shenasnameh and passport.
I was born in the United States and have never been to Iran. Do I need a Kart Melli?
If you are an Iranian national by birth (through one or both Iranian parents) and your birth was registered with Iranian authorities, you are considered an Iranian citizen and are entitled to a Kart Melli. Whether you need one depends on whether you plan to interact with Iranian government systems — for property inheritance, managing a bank account in Iran, or traveling to Iran. If you have no such plans, its immediate necessity may be low, but it remains your document as an Iranian citizen.
Can someone else pick up my Kart Melli from the Interests Section on my behalf?
The Interests Section typically mails completed documents back to the applicant at the address on file. In-person pickup by a third party would require a formal power of attorney arrangement and is not a standard process. Confirm current document return procedures with the Interests Section at (202) 965-4990.