As part of its attempt to modernise documents to meet European standards, the Albanian government has adopted a plan to supply citizens with ID numbers. The measure is among other efforts aimed at improving the service and function of civil offices in Albania.

The draft document includes details on codification and structuring. According to official sources, it lays out the technical steps needed for issuing ID numbers to all citizens. The government approved the document in December.

The ID introduction is a tall order for civil offices. Since these offices have not yet been computerised, only babies born starting in January of this year will be supplied with IDs. The civil offices will issue identification for other citizens during a later phase, following computerisation and creation of the National Civil Register.

Officials say the ID plan will ease the work of many state and private institutions, including the Central Election Commission, the Social Insurance and Health Insurance institutes, the Civil Status Service and the Tax Department, as well as institutions concerned with justice, public order, prosecution, defense, education, and registration of properties.