The minimalist theory is in the works at the Ministry of the Interior which is planning to integrate the regular national ID, the family registry, the passport, the driver's license, and health record in only one central electronic national ID, informed sources at the ministry said. The sources said that this step has emerged as a security requirement to have all national data in one card. The Civil Status Department in Riyadh started Saturday to accept applications for a new central national ID that also allows holders to execute government online transactions through different ministries' websites, including the Ministry of the Interior. This step will cut down on long waiting lines inside government offices. Holders of the new central electronic national ID will be able to update their national ID SIM card through self-service machines or online. The SIM card will show all the holder's information once it is read through smart card reading machines which will be available where the holder's information is needed as in court, police patrols, airports and entry and exit points, schools hotels, car rental offices, and insurance companies. Only health care centers will be able to view health records of the card's holder. Once the application is submitted to the local civil status department, it will be sent to the National Information Center to issue the new central electronic national ID within only 14 days. Once the card has been issued, the holder will be notified by an SMS to pick it up. “Home delivery of the card is considered in the future,” the sources said. With laser engraved printing of information, the card will show the holder's photo in black and white for better clarity, the sources said. __
