HOW DID WE MAKE OUR NEW ID CARDS ONLINE, FROM HOME? ​

Let me explain in a simpler language what e-solutions mean in Estonia and how they help people, using one personal example.

A few days ago, Estonian Police informed us, online, through an automatically generated message that our residence permits and ID cards expire. The message was addressed through my mandatory e-mail address, issued by the authorities to each resident of Estonia, including my child.

From home we filled out an online form (about 7 minutes for all 3 members of my family), paid online the state fee for issuing the ID cards for all 3 in a single transfer (lower price if you complete an online ID than you would go to the police service center)- 1 minute, I took the photos for all 3 family members, including myself (this took a little longer because my son was too happy in the photos :)), we signed by hand on a piece of paper and photographed the signature with my phone (+1 minute ).

I inserted all these pieces in a digital container and digitally signed the container with the Mobile ID on my phone (+ 1 minute). I signed digitally for my son too and my wife signed for herself. The digital signature application has the direct option to send a message to anyone, containing digitally signed container as attachment too. I inserted there the police email address provided in the message from them and pressed send (+ 15 seconds). That’s it, nothing more, everything from home, for all 3.

Instantly, I received an email from the police informing us that in a maximum of 30 days we will receive an answer. Today I received a message on the same address that our documents are ready. It took 5 working days and we picked up all 3 new IDs from the closest Police Service Center (it was a question in the applications asking where we prefer to receive the IDs), in about 7 minutes (there were a few people in a row). I just noticed from the inscription on our new IDs that the decision was made 2 days after our online applications were submitted. That was a normal procedure, not an urgent one.

Message to all countries: Please digitize your countries, institutions, and societies, don’t torment people! Make their life easier, please! Follow e-Estonia!