The Documents Authentication and Registration Service (DARS) generated Birr 1.8 billion in revenue during the past nine months while serving 1,237,329 customers.

The revenue comes from stamp duties and service charges levied on a vast clientele base. The service examined over 715,500 contracts with an average daily client count of 6,400. The authority also confiscated 1,200 counterfeit documents, including IDs, marriage certificates, and various contracts. Legal action was initiated against 28 individuals involved. Most confiscated fake documents in Addis Ababa were related to identity and marital status. Thankfully, technological advancements have improved detection methods to address this issue.

DARS plays a vital role in preventing fraud by verifying over 6,000 documents daily. Collaboration with financial institutions and other stakeholders is ongoing to combat document-based fraud further. Essential documents issued by the authority now have barcodes to deter duplication and ensure authenticity. These documents are crucial for banking, land management, legal proceedings, and other official purposes.

During the 2022/23 fiscal year, the authority rendered services for 1.5 million customers and intercepted 1,723 fake documents.

Source: Addis Zemen