Haitian immigrants still need a national ID to access key services. Here’s how to get it.

Haitian immigrants in the United States must obtain a national ID, the Carte d’Identification Nationale Unique (CINU), to access passports and other legal services. Here’s what to know about the application process and timeline.

By Obed Lamy

An executive order from the Haitian government on Dec. 9, 2025, established that all Haitian citizens must have a ten-digit Unique National Identification Number, similar to a Social Security number. That number is issued, among other documents, as part of the Carte d’Identification Nationale Unique (CINU).

This national identity document is especially important for Haitian nationals living abroad, as it is required to access many government services through embassies and consulates, from obtaining or renewing a passport to processing legal documents such as powers of attorney.

The Haitian Consulate in Chicago, which serves 27 states including California, Michigan, Illinois and Indiana, is authorized to process applications for the ID.

The process to get a Haitian ID

To qualify for the CINU, the applicant must present a Haitian birth certificate or an “extrait des archives”. The application is free of charge. 

Unlike documents, such as passports, that can be requested online, obtaining a CINU requires applicants to appear in person at the consulate, said Frantz Jacques, an administrative assistant at the consulate. The consulate uses specialized software to collect applicants’ photos and fingerprints, which are automatically transmitted to a system managed in Haiti by the Office National d’Identification (ONI), where the information is processed.

There is no clear timeline for how long it takes to receive the CINU after completing the process. The production of the CINU is handled in Haiti by the Office National d’Identification (ONI), which also processes submissions both from within Haiti and abroad. 

“It takes three to four months for us to receive it,” Jacques said, citing previous applications he has handled.

Once produced, the card is sent to the Haitian consulate. Recipients must pick it up in person at the consulate as their biometrics are verified again.

Previously, applicants had to wait that long for the physical card before they could use it. But Jacques said the consulate has recently begun issuing a temporary certificate within 24 hours. The document includes the individual’s Unique National Identification Number and can be used for certain official transactions.

The CINU is also the official identification Haitian citizens must use to vote in elections. It is valid for 10 years. 

Other Services offered at the Haitian Consulate 

In addition to the CINU, the consulate provides other services, including passports, civil registration, document authentication and powers of attorney. Many of these applications can be started online, with the required materials mailed to the consulate.

Jacques said that amid ongoing uncertainty in the U.S. immigration system, many Haitian nationals are also reaching out to the consulate for assistance.

“Sometimes we refer them to pro bono lawyers who can help with asylum or status adjustments,” Jacques said. “Sometimes when they are going to court, they call us because they don’t have a lawyer. We help them.”

Jacques added that the consulate may also help connect some Haitians with attorneys who offer reduced fees, depending on the case.