National Identity Card Palava

What Happens When Your National ID Card Expires? (And Why the Process is So Annoying)

So, my National ID card expired a few months ago, and I finally got around to renewing it. Here’s how that went down—spoiler: it wasn’t smooth.  First, I went online to check the renewal process. The site said:  

• Enroll and pay 10,000frs at https://www.portal.idcam.cm
• Pick a police station and schedule an appointment for pics/fingerprints.  

Easy, right? Well…  

The Online Booking Mess  

The website only showed one option—Public Security in Old Town, Bamenda. No other choices. So, I booked my appointment for August 6th at 10am.  

While waiting, I traveled a bit and used my expired ID at checkpoints. No issues—I just showed the printed receipt from my online payment, explained I was waiting for my appointment, and they let me through. Cool.  

The Big Letdown: "We’re Done for the Day"  

On the day of my appointment, I showed up two hours early (8am instead of 10am) just to be safe. Guess what? They weren’t taking any more people  

Me: "But my appointment is at 10am?"

Them: "Sorry, we’re done. Try Mile 7 Mankon, Mile 4 Nkwen, or Upstation." 

Wait—why weren’t these options online?! Why make me book at one place just to send me somewhere else?  

Finally Getting It Done  

I ended up going to Upstation, and after some back-and-forth, they processed my renewal. Here’s what they asked for:  

• Original + photocopy of expired ID  
• Certified birth certificate  
• Certificate of Nationality

Hold up—why do I need to prove my nationality if I’m RENEWING an existing ID?Shouldn’t the old one already confirm that?  

The Real Question: Why Is This So Complicated?  

•  Why hide other enrollment centers online?  
•  Why cut off appointments hours before the scheduled time?  
• And why ask for extra documents when renewing?  

If the goal is to make things easier, this ain’t it.