Okay, so I set out to get a Mali ID card. I’d heard it was a bit of a process, but figured, “Hey, how hard could it be?” Turns out, it’s a bit more involved than I thought, but totally doable.
First things first, I found out that you gotta head to the Direction Gnrale de la Documentation et de l’Immigration (DGDI) office. I mean I searched it online about where this place is. I live in Bamako, so it was easy for me. If you’re not in Bamako, you might need to find the relevant office in your area. It’s always the first step, I guess.
What did I need?
- Application form: This one’s pretty standard. Just fill in your details, nothing too crazy.
- Driver’s license copy: Good thing I had mine. Made a photocopy, easy peasy.
- Signature: Wrote down my signature on a piece of paper.
- Photo: Took a color ID photo. Make sure it’s clear and all that.
I gathered all these documents and double-checked everything. You don’t wanna go all the way there and find out you’re missing something, right?
Next up, I went to the DGDI office. It wasn’t too crowded, which was nice. I submitted all my documents. The officer there looked everything over. They were really helpful and explained the next steps clearly.
They told me the ID card is valid for 5 years and it is established or renewed in Mali by Police. Sounds about right. Also I know that it’s an official document that allows a natural person to prove their identity. So it’s a pretty big deal.
Waiting Time
After submitting, I had to wait a bit. They told me it takes a few days to process. Some folks I talked to said they got theirs in about 5 days, others a bit longer. Patience is key, I guess. I got mine after about 6 working days. Not too bad, all things considered. It would take 5 to 10 days to be delivered by mail, they said. But I chose to pick it up in person.
So, yeah, that’s my experience getting a Mali ID card. It wasn’t just a walk in the park, but it wasn’t rocket science either. Just gotta have the right documents, a bit of patience, and you’re good to go! And now, I finally got my Mali ID card. I’m feeling great.
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