Eligibility quiz
Were you a citizen of any country when you were born?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Malaysian passport and ID
Malaysian citizens can use a Malaysian International Passport to travel to permitted countries, although it can be withdrawn.
Citizens aged 12 and over must have a MyKad identity card, which is used for government procedures.
Live in Malaysia for life
Malaysian citizens can live in Malaysia without an immigration pass.
Attend primary school
Malaysian-citizen children can attend government and government-aided primary schools.
Work in Malaysia
Malaysian citizens can work or start a business in Malaysia without an immigration pass.
Get help abroad
Malaysian missions can help if you are arrested or detained, contact your next of kin and provide emergency travel documents.
They can also help during disasters or civil unrest, but generally do not pay your bills.
Vote in elections
Malaysian citizens can vote from age 18 if they are eligible.
Eligible citizens are registered automatically using their identity records, including their registered home address.
Get healthcare support
PeKa B40 offers specified screening, equipment and treatment-related benefits.
It is for Malaysian citizens aged 40 and over who receive STR or are spouses of recipients.
Get financial support
Malaysian citizens can use assistance programmes if they meet their conditions, which can include income, age and household requirements.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find an office
Choose a National Registration Department office to visit. You can apply at its headquarters, a state headquarters or a branch.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where is a Malaysia National Registration Department office near your city for an application for citizenship status birth in Malaysia?”
Pick up the form
Get the original Form E from a National Registration Department office. The forms on the department’s website are for guidance and cannot be used for the application.
Find the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I get the original Form E for a Malaysia application for citizenship status birth in Malaysia?”
Fill in the form
Complete Form E. The applicant can be the person whose citizenship is being confirmed, or their parent, guardian or nearest relative.
Get form guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in Form E for a Malaysia application for citizenship status birth in Malaysia?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the National Registration Department.
See required documentsHand in your application
Bring the completed form and the required original documents and A4 copies to a National Registration Department office; the applicant and the person whose citizenship is being confirmed must attend together if they are different people. Pay the RM2 application registration fee and ask the office how to pay it.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where is a Malaysia National Registration Department office near your city for an application for citizenship status birth in Malaysia?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the department’s decision and answer any questions or requests for more documents.
See what happens nextSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Malaysia application for citizenship status birth in Malaysia take?”
Get your certificate
If the application is approved, arrange with the department to receive the Status Confirmation Certificate and pay the RM10 certificate fee; ask how to pay it. You can then use the confirmation to apply for a Malaysian passport.
Find certificate guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get my certificate after a Malaysia application for citizenship status birth in Malaysia is approved?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Bring your birth certificate or a recent extract, and the birth certificates or latest extracts for both your parents, where available. If your siblings’ records are relevant to your application, bring their latest birth certificates or extracts too. Bring the originals and A4 copies.
Parents' marriage records
Bring your parents’ marriage documents, or a declaration that they were not married, as applicable, with an A4 copy. If their Muslim marriage took place abroad, have the marriage documents verified by the Islamic Religious Department.
Parents' citizenship certificates *
Bring the citizenship certificates for both your parents, where available. Bring the originals and A4 copies.
* Only if your parents' citizenship certificates are available.
Parents' travel documents *
Bring your parents’ passports or other travel documents, where available. Bring the originals and A4 copies.
* Only if your parents' passports or travel documents are available.
Family identity cards *
Bring both your parents’ identity cards, where available. If your siblings’ records are relevant to your application, bring their identity cards too, if they have them. Bring the originals and A4 copies.
* Only if your parents' identity cards are available or your siblings' identity cards are relevant.
Parents' entry permits *
Bring your parents’ entry permits, where available. Bring the originals and A4 copies.
* Only if your parents' entry permits are available.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Registration when living abroad
If you live abroad, failing to meet required registration rules can put your citizenship at risk.
Malaysian missions encourage citizens abroad to register and update their details every year.
National service if selected
Malaysian citizens selected for PLKN 3.0 must attend basic training.
Selection is limited and depends on the programme’s age bands and call-up; it can include men and women.
Citizenship can be lost
You can give up citizenship permanently, or lose it for voluntarily taking another citizenship, except through marriage, or failing to meet registration rules abroad.
Citizenship gained by registration or naturalisation can also be taken away for disloyalty, helping an enemy in war, certain convictions within a set period, or unapproved foreign government work under oath.
Loss is not automatic; safeguards apply.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Mykas/ic hijau/stateless MALAYSIA
Facebook group for people interested in Malaysian citizenship and visas (Malay & English)
Join on FacebookKL EXPATS (Kuala Lumpur/Malaysia)
English Facebook group for people living in Malaysia interested in Malaysian local life
Join on Facebookr/ExpatInMalaysia
English Reddit group for people living in Malaysia interested in Malaysian local life
Join on RedditConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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