The Interior Ministry is preparing to restore the previous format of Cypriot identity cards, with the names of both parents once again appearing in the designated fields.
A ministry source told Politis that the current direction under consideration is a return to the former system used for issuing ID cards. At the same time, officials are seeking a solution that would protect children and other citizens who do not wish their parents' names to be displayed, while avoiding any potential stigma.
According to the source, the option to omit parental names was originally introduced with cases such as children who have lost one or both parents, as well as individuals facing particular family circumstances, in mind.
"We will examine how the new arrangement can be implemented so that the rights of these children are respected and they are not stigmatised," the source said.
Technical solution under review
The ministry is assessing whether it is technically possible, in cases where individuals request it, for the fields relating to the mother's and father's names to be omitted entirely from the physical identity card.
The issue is also being examined in light of the European Commission's position, which, according to officials, does not favour the issuance of two different types of identity cards.
Consideration is also being given to single-parent families. In such cases, the field relating to either the mother or father could remain blank, depending on the circumstances.
According to information obtained by Politis, the Interior Ministry is expected to issue an announcement later today outlining its final decisions and how they will be implemented.
Background to the controversy
The move follows criticism over the ministry's decision to remove the fields containing parents' names from the new biometric identity cards.
The change was introduced in July 2026 without prior public consultation, following a recommendation by the Civil Registry and Migration Department and an amendment to the contract with the company responsible for issuing the cards.
At the time, the ministry said the decision was intended to protect privacy and personal data, particularly in cases involving children with unknown parentage or complex family situations.
Officials also clarified that the removal of parents' names was not required under European regulations but was a policy choice made by the Cypriot authorities, since parental information is not mandatory under EU identity card specifications.
A ministry source had acknowledged that the public could have been informed in advance of the change.
