WINDOW ROCK – The Office of the President and Vice President (OPVP) is working closely with the Division of Human Resources (DHR) to ensure the Navajo Office of Vital Records and Identification (NOVRI) is fully operational and able to meet the urgent identification needs of the Navajo people.
On Thursday, January 15, 2026, DHR officials and delegated NOVRI staff attended a meeting prompted by increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Phoenix and other urban areas. During that meeting, it was discovered that NOVRI lacked adequate supplies to continue printing Navajo Nation tribal ID cards.
DHR Director Reycita Toddy immediately contacted NOVRI staff to compile a list of the necessary supplies and prepare all required procurement documentation. After working through procurement issues with the Office of the Controller, the supplies were successfully ordered to restore ID card production.
The Navajo Office of Vital Records and Identification (NOVRI) is currently funded through Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Self-Determination contract funds under a three-year federal contract that was recently renewed between the BIA and the Navajo Nation.
“Although federal funding is available, I don’t believe it is sufficient to meet the needs of nearly half a million Navajo people—especially those living in urban areas,” said President Buu Nygren. “If we are serious about improving access and reducing wait times, we need additional resources to do more and serve more of our people.”
To support the expansion and strengthening of NOVRI services, President Nygren previously directed the Division of Human Resources to prepare a request for additional and supplemental funding. This funding would allow NOVRI to increase capacity, improve service delivery, and better meet the growing demand for vital records and identification services across the Navajo Nation.
“I understand that Speaker Curley has met with NOVRI to discuss expanding the office’s budget, and I call on the Navajo Nation Council to pass legislation that expands funding for NOVRI and enables the office to respond to the current political landscape and meet the needs of our urban relatives,” President Nygren said.
DHR and OPVP emphasized the urgency of restoring and strengthening NOVRI services, noting the serious risks Navajo people face—including wrongful detention and other grave consequences—when they are unable to obtain valid photo identification. Both offices are working diligently to ensure NOVRI can continue operations and issue Navajo Nation ID cards without further disruption.
NOVRI staff expect to resume issuing IDs within one week. Updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.
In addition to restoring ID services, President Nygren announced that effective January 26, NOVRI will implement mandatory window service hours to ensure reliable public access and stronger coordination across departments. All employees will be on-site with service windows open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. At least one staff member will remain present between 12 and 1 p.m. during rotating lunch breaks, and phone coverage will continue in offices housed in BIA buildings.
“These measures are necessary to improve efficiency, consistency, and the quality of service provided to the Navajo people,” President Nygren said. “Access to identification and vital records is not a luxury—it is a basic necessity for protecting our citizens’ rights, safety, and dignity.”
