I am always having to deal with a lot of NRIC numbers in the course of my volunteer work with SINDA as a Centre Administrator at Pioneer STEP Centre. On one occasion recently, I was faced with one applicant who had entered his NRIC suffix incorrectly and I couldn't get through to the parent to verify.
Naturally, I turned to the internet for help and came across a few reverse-engineering findings of the algorithm used to calculate the suffix of our NRIC numbers. Whilst there is an 'exe' file for checking NRICs, I felt something non-intrusive such as an Excel document would be better. So, I have created one which can do the job and thrown in the checks for FIN numbers as well.
So here we go, the NRIC/FIN number checker
Licence is free to use (of course) but do credit the source of this particular creation (me) and I would appreciate if the contents were left unchanged, thanks.
For those interested, all the identification numbers use the Modulo 11 Checksum algorithm with the NRIC S-series corresponding to the FIN F-series (each uses a different set of suffix letters). The NRIC T-series just shifts the letters by four spaces from the S-series as does the FIN G-series from the F-series.
Finally, a word of caution. NRIC and FIN numbers are sensitive information and I do not endorse the use of this document for criminal, illegal or any non-genuine purpose.
Update:
After a call I received from one 'less than satisfied customer' who used the NRIC Checker, I realised that the following information is necessary. Please do not save the file at any point. There are formulas within the Excel document to calculate the values and display the appropriate suffix. However, if the cells with the formulas are altered, then obviously the checker will not function as it should.
If you find that the suffix is no longer being displayed whilst in use, simply close the file - click 'No' when asked to save the file - and then reopen it to try again. If at all the Checker does not seem to function at all, then delete the file completely and download a fresh copy to try again.
I have verified the file integrity and am certain that it works accurately.
Update ++:
As the comments section show, I was advised to protect the document in order to avoid problems for users - which I have duly done. So for those with the Midas Touch with regard to messes, well this should solve the problem. The only cells that can now be accessed in the protected state are the cells where you would need to enter the digits of the NRIC/FIN number, enjoy (hopefully).Update +++:
From the kind contribution (see comments) of a reader, Nighthound, the 'checker' now includes vehicle registration numbers as well!
This entry has also been featured on the highly-popular tomorrow.sg so I guess I'm a little (in)famous now, hahaha. Thanks to the moderators jseng and Agagooga for approving this post as worthy.
Update (Bug Fix):
Take note that there was a bug in the original checker such that the suffix 'I' and 'J' (S-series) would not appear, with the corresponding suffix letters for the other series affected as well. Due to an alert from Nighthound, I was able to correct the errors and the latest file appears on this blog. I truly apologise for the oversight and humbly ask anyone who finds any further bugs to either email me or leave a comment here, thank you.
Update (Bug Fix 2):
Not really a bug fix but more of an upgrade. From Kervin's advice (see comments below), I have incorporated an error check such that when more than one digit is input into one box, there is a message asking to check.
