Eligibility quiz
Were you born in Malaysia?
Benefits
Benefits for your childBenefits for your child
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Malaysian citizens can use a Malaysian International Passport to travel to permitted countries, although it can be withdrawn.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 your local office
Your parent or a guardian who is a relative can find a National Registration Department office near you, or use its citizenship office in Putrajaya.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where is the Malaysia National Registration Department office near your city for citizenship registration in special circumstances?”
Get the application form
Your parent or relative guardian should get an original Form B from the National Registration Department office. A printed copy of the online form cannot be used to apply.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I get the original Form B for Malaysia citizenship registration in special circumstances near your city?”
Fill in the form
Your parent or relative guardian should complete and sign Form B, explaining your special circumstances in section F and paragraph A. They can add a separate page if they need more room.
Find form guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in Form B for Malaysia citizenship registration in special circumstances?”
Gather your documents
Your parent or relative guardian should prepare the documents the National Registration Department asks for.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Your parent or relative guardian can book an appointment through the National Registration Department's appointment system.
Book an appointmentHand in your application
You and your parent or relative guardian must go together to the National Registration Department counter with the completed original Form B and your original documents and A4 copies. Your parent or guardian should pay the RM10 application fee there and ask the office how to pay.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I submit a Malaysia citizenship registration in special circumstances application near your city?”
Wait for the decision
Your parent or relative guardian should respond to any requests for more information or documents. They can check the application status online using the 24-digit application number.
Check application statusTake the oath
If your application is approved and you are 18 or older when your citizenship is registered, you must take an oath before registration.
Find oath guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I take the oath for Malaysia citizenship registration in special circumstances?”
Get your citizenship certificate
Once your application is approved, you or your parent or relative guardian should arrange to receive your citizenship certificate and pay the RM100 issue fee. You can then use the certificate as proof of your Malaysian citizenship.
Find certificate guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my certificate after Malaysia citizenship registration in special circumstances?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Bring your birth certificate or latest birth-certificate extract, and those of your parent or relative guardian and your siblings where available or requested. If you were adopted, bring your adoption certificate; if relevant, also bring a Malaysian court order about your legal parentage, or evidence of a search for your birth mother, such as an advertisement, embassy confirmation or police report. Bring originals and A4 copies.
Marriage certificates *
Bring your parent’s or relative guardian’s marriage document. Bring the original and an A4 copy.
* Only if your parent or guardian has a marriage document.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationCustody and care records *
Bring any court custody order concerning you, with the original and an A4 copy. For a foster or child-protection placement, bring the relevant records, such as a JKM foster-child offer letter or confirmation, a JPN declaration, Form 13, or a police report for a child who was found or received into care.
* Only if there is a custody order or you are in foster care or a child-protection placement.
Family citizenship records *
Bring your parent’s or relative guardian’s citizenship certificate and any relevant sibling’s citizenship certificate, with originals and A4 copies. If you could not obtain citizenship through your mother, bring confirmation from an embassy or her country of origin.
* Only if your parent, guardian or sibling has a citizenship certificate or you need to show you could not obtain citizenship through your mother.
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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