Laos is phasing out traditional Family Books as the government accelerates its shift to digital governance.
Under the new policy, authorities will stop issuing hard-copy household registration books. Instead, citizens will use a Certificate of Household Information, generated through a digital system, as the primary document for administrative procedures.
The change is to make it easier to store, access, and manage population data while reducing paperwork and delays in public services, according to a government notice.
Transition Period
Family Books issued in the past remain valid until their expiration date. But people whose household information has already been entered into the digital system must use the new certificate instead when completing official procedures.
Citizens with Digital ID Cards can now use them as official proof of identity for legal transactions and government services, reducing the need for multiple documents.
Only authorised offices can issue the new certificates, including public security departments at central, provincial, and district levels. Authorities are calling on all sectors to recognise the new system and help make the transition smooth.
Building on Digital ID Rollout
The reform builds on Laos’s rollout of digital national ID cards, which expanded nationwide on 17 December 2025 after an initial pilot in Vientiane Capital.
The cards include biometric data and security features such as chips and QR codes, designed to make identity verification faster and more reliable. Officials say the system will support easier access to public services and help connect different government databases.
Together, the changes represent a broader push to move Laos toward fully digital administration, where personal data can be managed more efficiently nationwide.
