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Government procedures in Mauritius, explained simply

Documents, fees, how long it takes and where to go, with the official sources.

Identity & civil status

Get a copy of a birth, marriage or death certificateAn official extract of a civil status record. Almost every other procedure, ID card, passport, Certificate of Character, pension, asks for a Get married civilly (fees and where)A civil marriage is the legal marriage in Mauritius. Religious ceremonies have legal effect only if celebrated by a registered officiant und Replace a lost or damaged National Identity CardThe NIC is the main ID for citizens aged 18 and over, and the user ID for most government e-services.

Passport, visa & immigration

Get or renew a Mauritian passportThe Mauritian passport lets citizens travel abroad and prove their citizenship.Lost or damaged passportReplace a Mauritian passport that is lost, stolen or damaged.

Driving & vehicles

Get a learner’s (provisional) licence and book the driving testYou need a provisional licence before learning to drive a car, motorcycle or autocycle; then you pass the driving test to get your full lice Pay road tax (renew your motor vehicle licence)Every vehicle on the road needs a valid motor vehicle licence: commonly called road tax.Get your vehicle’s fitness test (vehicle examination)A safety inspection that proves your vehicle is fit for the road.Transfer ownership of a vehicle (buying or selling a used car)Registers the new owner with the NLTA so that the buyer becomes legally responsible for the vehicle.Reserve a personalised number plate (registration mark)Choose your own registration number instead of the next one in line.

Property, land & construction

Get a building and land use permit (BLUP) to build or extend a houseYou need a BLUP from your local authority before building, extending or changing the use of a building.

Business

Register a company or businessGives your business a legal identity and a Business Registration Number (BRN) you need for tax, bank accounts and licences.

Tax

File your income tax returnDeclares your income for the year so the MRA can confirm the tax you owe or the refund you are due.

Employment

Check that your employer pays your social contributionsYour contributions build your future contributory pension and lump-sum refunds. If your employer does not pay them, you lose out.Claim industrial injury allowance after an accident at workReplaces your wages while you recover from an injury at work.

Family & social security

Apply to the Social Register of Mauritius (SRM)Monthly subsistence allowance and support for households living below a set income threshold.Apply for your state retirement pensionThe universal Basic Retirement Pension (BRP): becoming the State Age Pension (SAP) on 1 January 2027.

Travel & international

Apostille (legalise) a Mauritian document for use abroadAn apostille proves a Mauritian public document is genuine so that other Hague Convention countries accept it (studies, jobs, marriage, resi

Customs

Clear a parcel ordered from abroad (customs)Explains what you pay on online orders delivered by post or courier, and how to declare them.

Legal & justice

Get a Certificate of Character (police clearance)States whether you have a criminal record in Mauritius. Employers, universities, visa offices and licensing bodies ask for it.

Animals

Bring a dog or cat into MauritiusMauritius is rabies-free, so pets need an import permit, tests and quarantine.

Financial & consumer complaints

Complain about a government department (Ombudsman)The Ombudsman investigates maladministration, unfair, delayed or wrong decisions by public bodies, free of charge.Make a consumer complaintHelp when a shop or service sells faulty goods, overcharges, or breaks price controls.

Digital government (MauPass)

Create a MauPass account (government e-services login)MauPass is the single login for government e-services: Certificate of Character, learner’s licence, civil status, NLTA services and more.

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