National identity card (Heigard)

The national identity card of Heigard (Carté Nationale d'identité d'Héigarde or CNIH; Tarjeta Nacional de Identidad de Héigard or TNIH) is an official and compulsory identity document, consisting of a laminated plastic card bearing a photograph, name and address.

The identity cards, valid for 15 years, are issued by the local préfecture or town hall and have a fee cost of €1. The card contains a chip which holds the data printed on it. The National Register duplicates the information of the card, which is available only to judges in closely defined circumstances.

The card are used to verify identity and nationality and may be used to travel within the European Union, Switzerland and many other countries instead of using a passport. The cards are widely used for other purposes like when opening a bank account, or when making a payment by cheque.