The information that follows was provided by a consular officer at the Embassy of Hungary in Ottawa during a 19 September 2002 telephone interview, and adds to information provided in HUN37915.E of 19 October 2001, HUN33302.E of 22 December 1999 and earlier Responses related to identification and travel documents.

Hungary issues a passport-like identity document to all its citizens residing in Hungary. Before 1989, this document contained a wide range of information on the bearer; after 1989, the booklet-like format was kept, but information contained in the document was reduced drastically, to little more than the name, vital statistics and place of residence.

Later, around 2001, two types of identification forms were implemented, which replaced the booklet-form document: one being a plastic national identity card that indicates the person is a Hungarian citizen, with the name and vital statistics of the person; another, separate card, indicates where the person resides. Hungary still has a central registry for residence information, so a person must register their place of residence, whether temporary or permanent ; however, a person can have both at the same time, a permanent and a temporary address (for example, university students whose permanent residence is at their parents' home, but their student residence is in another city). Some persons still have old booklet-type identification documents which have not yet expired, and which may be valid for several more years.

Citizens are required to obtain a national identity card at 18 years of age.

Hungarians residing abroad or persons who have reclaimed Hungarian citizenship, need only a passport as proof of citizenship. However, the national identity card gives access to social security and other services; a passport alone does not entitle the person to those services, because it is not proof of residence and, implicitly, of paying taxes in Hungary.

A new law passed in 1998 governing passports and travel of Hungarians abroad, requires persons to hold an individual passport from birth. As soon as a birth is registered, the parents can apply for passport on behalf of the child. A person under 18 years of age who obtains a passport, must have it signed by both parents. For adults, passports are usually valid for 10 years; for children under six years, passports are valid for two years; for those between the ages of six and 18, the passport is valid for five years.

Prior to the law in 1998, it was the norm to include children in passports, usually in the mother's passport, and this could be done until they reached 18 years of age. However, after children reached 14 years of age, and with their parents' consent, minors could obtain a separate, individual passport. After 18 years of age, persons were routinely issued individual passports.

Before 1989, Hungarians had a number of different passports, although passport policies and practice began to change in 1987: a red passport was issued for travel to countries of the Warsaw Pact; a blue one was issued for travel to the rest of the world, and this passport had to be returned after a trip was concluded (these passports would be issued only once every three years); consular passports were issued for those emigrating, and were valid only for travel to a specific country of destination and passing through countries along the way.

In addition to the military service card (see HUN37915.E), Hungarians used to have a "job booklet", which served to track the jobs one had held, and also served for social security purposes. It was phased out around 1990. Other documents which can serve as an identity document nationally include birth certificates, driving licenses and marriage certificates, although the latter two are not issued to all Hungarians.

In addition to the above, the United States Committee for Refugees (USCR) reports:

Recognized refugees receive permanent identity cards and the same social benefits as Hungarian nationals, and are also eligible for additional integration assistance. In coordination with UNHCR, non-governmental organizations provide job counseling, language training, and other assistance to ease the integration process.

The Hungarian authorities issue identity cards and work permits to persons authorized to stay, who are housed in reception centers and receive renewable travel documents." (15 July 2002).

Please find attached a report on the issuing of "special identification cards" issued by Hungary to ethnic Hungarians of neighbouring countries, to facilitate their access to "educational, medical and employment benefits while visiting Hungary-including three-month work permits once a year-and subsidies for Hungarian-language education at home" (Los Angeles Times 10 May 2002). However, no reference to this special identification card being issued in Hungary and/or to Hungarian citizens could be found among the sources consulted.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Embassy of Hungary, Ottawa. 19 September 2002. Telephone interview with consular staff.

Los Angeles Times. 10 May 2002. David Holley. "The World: Hungary Unnerves Its Neighbour-But Legally; Europe: Countries See a Threat in Budapest's Offer of Social Services to Ethnic Brethren." (NEXIS)

United States Committee for Refugees (USCR), Washington, DC. 15 July 2002. Country Reports: Hungary 2002. http://www.refugees.org/world/countryrpt/europe/hungary.htm [Accessed 17 Sept. 2002]

Attachment

Los Angeles Times. 10 May 2002. David Holley. "The World: Hungary Unnerves Its Neighbour-But Legally; Europe: Countries See a Threat in Budapest's Offer of Social Services to Ethnic Brethren." (NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted

Country Reports 1998-2001. 1999-2002.

IRB Databases.

NEXIS.

Internet sites and search engines, including:

Human Rights Watch

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

UNHCR
Note:

This list is not exhaustive. Country and subject-specific publications available at the Resource Centre are not included.