What Is a Shenasnameh and How to Renew It from the United States

What Information a Shenasnameh Contains

The Shenasnameh is a booklet format document that contains the following information:

• Full name in Persian (first name and father's name, family name)
• Date and place of birth (according to the Iranian solar calendar)
• Father's name and Code Melli
• Mother's name and Code Melli
• Registry number and the civil registry office where the birth was recorded
• Marriage record (including spouse's name, date of marriage, and registry information) — added when you marry
• Divorce record if applicable
• Names and birth records of children — added when each child's birth is registered
• Any amendments to the above information (name corrections, date corrections)
• Photograph of the holder (on the personal data page)

The Difference Between a Shenasnameh and a Kart Melli

The Shenasnameh and Kart Melli both serve as identity documents but work differently. The Shenasnameh is a comprehensive civil registry record in booklet form — it shows your full family history and civil status. The Kart Melli is a compact plastic ID card that shows your photo, Code Melli, name, and date of birth. The Shenasnameh cannot fit in a wallet and is not used as a day-to-day ID card. The Kart Melli is used for daily identity verification. Both documents share the same Code Melli number, which is unique to each Iranian citizen.

When You Need to Renew or Update Your Shenasnameh

The Shenasnameh itself does not expire — it remains valid indefinitely as a civil registry document. However, you may need to obtain a new or updated Shenasnameh in the following circumstances:

• Your Shenasnameh has been lost or destroyed
• It is damaged and pages are illegible
• You married and the marriage has not been recorded in your Shenasnameh
• You divorced and the divorce has not been recorded
• You had children whose births need to be added to your Shenasnameh
• A name or date correction needs to be made to the registry
• Your existing Shenasnameh is the older format and you need a current version for use
• Your photograph is outdated (though this is rarely a reason for renewal on its own)

Required Documents for Shenasnameh Renewal from the United States

• Current Iranian passport — original and photocopy of biographical page
• Existing Shenasnameh — original and photocopies of all pages containing information
• Kart Melli — original and photocopy of both sides
• Two passport-size photos meeting Iranian consular specifications (3.5 cm × 4.5 cm or 2×2 inches, white/off-white background, women wear Islamic hijab, no glasses, neutral expression, printed on photo paper)
• Completed Shenasnameh renewal application form with Mikhak reference number from mikhak.msrt.ir
• Supporting documents for any amendments (e.g., marriage certificate if adding marriage record, Iranian birth registration confirmation if adding a child)
• Money order for consular fee payable to the Iranian Interests Section — no cash or personal checks

How to Submit Your Shenasnameh Renewal Application

1. Ensure your Mikhak registration is active at mikhak.msrt.ir.
2. Obtain your Mikhak reference number for inclusion on the application form.
3. Compile all required documents and make clear, legible photocopies.
4. Prepare your passport-size photos to Iranian consular specifications.
5. Complete the application form in full.
6. Purchase a money order in the correct amount for the applicable consular fee.
7. Assemble your package and mail it via trackable courier (USPS Priority, FedEx, or UPS) to: Iranian Interests Section, 2209 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007.
8. Keep copies of all documents and your tracking number.
9. The Interests Section forwards your application to Iran's Civil Registry Organization for processing.
10. Your new or updated Shenasnameh is returned to you by mail through the Interests Section.

Adding a Marriage to Your Shenasnameh from the United States

If you married in the United States and the marriage has not been recorded in your Iranian Shenasnameh, you need to register the marriage with Iranian authorities. For a U.S.-performed civil or religious marriage, you will need:

• U.S. marriage certificate, apostilled by the Secretary of State of the issuing state
• Certified Persian translation of the marriage certificate
• Both spouses' Iranian passports, Kart Melli, and Shenasnameh (if both are Iranian nationals)
• If only one spouse is Iranian: the non-Iranian spouse's birth certificate and passport

Shenasnameh for Iranians Who Have Never Had One

In rare cases, an Iranian national who was born outside Iran and whose birth was never registered with Iranian authorities may not have a Shenasnameh. In this situation, birth registration must be completed first (see the separate guide on Iranian birth registration for children born outside Iran). Once birth registration is complete and a Code Melli is assigned, a Shenasnameh is issued as part of that process.

How Iranian Citizen Services Can Help

Iranian Citizen Services (ICS), based in Irvine, CA, helps clients navigate Shenasnameh renewal and amendment from the United States and Canada. ICS can assist with identifying which pages to copy, preparing the correct application package, Mikhak registration, coordinating apostille and translation steps for marriage or birth additions, and reviewing submissions before mailing. ICS charges a consulting fee; consular fees are paid separately. ICS is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.