Washington

What is e-residency?

The Republic of Estonia is the first country in the world to offer e-residency. Everyone has the opportunity to apply for the secure digital identity provided by the Estonian government – to gain secure access to digital services, to get anything and everything done digitally (sign all documents, launch and manage companies, do banking, encrypt files, etc.).

An Estonian e-resident is foreigner for whom Estonia has created a digital identity and issued a digital identity card. The e-resident’s card is a state-issued digital document that can only be used in the electronic environment in order to identify the person and to give digital signatures.

You can find more information on e-residency on the homepage.

How to apply for an e-resident’s digital ID card?

The easiest way is to apply online.

Issue of an e-resident’s digital ID card

The application is processed by the Police and Border Guard Board, who will perform a background check and make a decision regarding the granting (or refusal) of the e-resident’s digital ID.

The applicant will be notified by e-mail when the e-residency card arrives to the Estonian Embassy in Washington. The card must be picked up in person and the applicant must bring his or her passport—please make an appointment first. We are not able to service walk-ins.

• Can I change the pickup location later on?
  Yes, you can.

In order to change the pickup location from the Estonian Embassy in Washington to another Estonian embassy, send an e-mail containing your application details (your full name and date of birth):

• Estonian Embassy in Washington (e-mail: [email protected])
• Estonian embassy you chose as your pick-up location
• Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (e-mail [email protected]) with your details and with the request to change the pickup location.

Please note that in this case the state fee of 50 euros needs to be paid using the following banking details:

Receiver: Ministry of Finances
Bank account:

• SEB Pank  EE891010220034796011
  SWIFT: EEUHEE2X
• Swedbank EE932200221023778606
  SWIFT: HABAEE2X
• Danske Bank EE403300333416110002
  SWIFT: FOREEE2X
• Nordea Pank  EE701700017001577198
  SWIFT: NDEAEE2X

Reference number: 2900073643
Clarification of the payment: digi-ID change the location of the issuance; name, surname.

In order to change the pickup location from the Estonian Embassy in Washington to another location in the US (New York or San Francisco), send an e-mail containing your application details (your full name and date of birth):

• Estonian Embassy in Washington (e-mail: [email protected])
• Estonian Consulate General in New York (e-mail [email protected])– they are also responsible for issuing documents in San Fanciso
• Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (e-mail [email protected]) with your details and with the request to change the pickup location.

No state fee applies in this case.

How long does it take to send my card from one location to another?
Please allow at least 2-3 weeks for the process.

How long do you hold my card?
We keep your card for six months. If you do not pick it during that period we’ll return it to the issuing authority. If you still need Estonian e-residency card, but didn’t pick it up during 6 months and it was returned, you need to start the procedure again and reapply.