The Cedula Pessoal and whether it was being issued in Luanda in 1992 [AGO30175.E]

In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, officials of the Embassy and the Consulate General of the Republic of Angola in Ottawa, and New York, explained that Cedula Pessoal is the equivalent of a birth certificate (5 & 6 Oct. 1998). It is mandatory for every Angolan to have a Cedula Pessoal and this system has been in force for a very long time. Without it, he stated, a child may not be admitted into a school or university, and an adult cannot obtain an identity card or passport. Cedula Pessoal is issued by the Ministry of Justice or the Central Registry in the city of Luanda.

It is generally white in colour but sometimes it is blue. On the front cover is the logo of the Republic of Angola and on the inside is inscribed the name of the bearer, names of the mother and father of the bearer, date and place of birth of the holder, date of issuance, and the signature of the registry manager.

If an individual loses it, the Cedula Pessoal can be re-issued by the Ministry of Justice. He explained that because of the war, many adults have lost their Cedula Pessoal. For those Angolans born outside of Angola, a Cedula Pessoal can be obtained from the Embassy within seven to 15 days.

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.

References


Consulate-General of the Republic of Angola, New York. 5 October 1998. Telephone interview with the Research Directorate.

Embassy of the Republic of Angola, Ottawa. 6 October 1998. Telephone interview.