This is a list of identity card policies by country.
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According to a 1996 document by Privacy International, around 100 countries had compulsory identity cards[1]. The card must be shown on demand by authorised personnel under specified circumstances. Often alternative proof of identity, such as a driver's licence, is acceptable. Privacy International said that "virtually no common law country has a card"[1].
The term "compulsory" may have different meanings and implications in different countries. Possession of a card may only become compulsory at a certain age. There may be a penalty for not carrying a card or other legally valid identification (a passport, for foreigners); in some cases a person may be detained until identity is proved. Random checks are rare, except in police states.
In countries of the European Union, a national identity card complying to certain standards can in most cases be used by European citizens as a travel document in place of a passport[2]. An exception is that a Swedish national identity card is not usable when travelling from Sweden to a non-Schengen country.
| Country | English name | Local name | short description | more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | Identity Card | Letërnjoftimi | Albanian Identity Card Letërnjoftimi, is a electronic biometric ID card, compulsory upon 16 years old and costs 1200 lek (€10). | more |
| Argentina | National Identity Card | Documento Nacional de Identidad | It is issued at a person's birth, and updated at 8 and 16 years of age simultaneously in two formats: a small booklet (DNI libreta) with light blue cardboard cover, and a card (DNI tarjeta); both are valid if identification is required, but the booklet is required for voting. | more |
| Belarus | none | Passport (Belarusian: Пашпарт). Compulsory at 16. Reissued at 25, 45 and 100. Can be used to travel to other countries. Could be issued before 16 for travelling purposes. | ||
| Belgium | ID Card | State Registry (in Dutch, French and German). The card is first issued at age 12, compulsory by 15. Since the beginning of 2005 the eID (electronic IDentity-card) has been issued to Belgian citizens who apply for a new identity card. Apart from being a form of identification, the card also is used for authentication purposes. Future usages include using the eID as a library card, keycard for restricted areas or chatrooms and the digital signing of documents. It is expected that in 2009 all Belgians will have an eID card.[3]. The identity cards for Belgians living abroad are not electronic cards like those issued in Belgium. They are, however, equally valid and are accepted and used in the same way as the electronic identity card.[4]. | more | |
| Bolivia | Cédula de identidad | is compulsory at 18. Rarely required by police. | ||
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | "Lična karta / Osobna iskaznica / Лична Карта", compulsory at 16. | more | ||
| Brazil | Carteira de identidade | Compulsory to be issued and carried since the age of 18 (though it can be substituted by a series of equivalent documents, see below). It is usually issued, for civilians, by each state's Public Safety Secretary, but other state departments — including the Armed Forces, the Police and some professional councils — can issue alternate identity cards too. There is a national standard, but each state can include minor differences (usually numbering scheme, font, printed seal and background pattern. The front has a picture (with an electronic stamp on it), right thumb print and signature (for illiterate people the phrase "não assina" — cannot sign — is printed in its place). The verse has the unique number (RG, registro geral), expedition date, full name of the person, name of the parents, place (town, state) and date of birth, CPF number and other optional information. It is green and plastified, officially 102 × 68 mm[5], but lamination tends to make it slightly larger than the ISO/IEC 7810 ID-2 standard of 105 × 74 mm, resulting in a tight fit in most wallets. Only recently the driver's licence received the same legal status of an identity card in Brazil. There are also a few other documents, such as cards issued by the national councils of some professions (doctors, accountants, dentists, engineers, lawyers etc.), which are considered equivalent to the national identity card for most purposes. | more | |
| Bulgaria | Bulgarian identity card | лична карта / "lichna karta" | first issued and is compulsory after turning the age of 14. The new Bulgarian ID cards were introduced in 1999. They follow the general pattern in the EU and replaced the old, Soviet-style "internal passports", also known as "green passports". During the socialism period (1945–1989), to receive an "international passport", especially one allowing to travel to a Western country, was considered an achievement. Not all Bulgarian citizens had the right to travel abroad, and those who travelled outside the Soviet bloc underwent strict investigation for possible links with political enemies of the regime. Since January 1, 2007, the Bulgarian identity card can be used to travel within the European Union. Since 29 March 2010[6] new Bulgarian identity cards were introduced with embedded chip with personal data. | more |
| Chile | Cédula de identidad | First issued at age 2 or 3, it is compulsory at 18. | ||
| Colombia | Tarjeta de identidad / Cédula de Ciudadanía | Tarjeta - First issued at age 2 or 3, then it's changed at 18 for another identity card called Cédula de Ciudadanía. It is only renewed afterwards if stolen or lost. | ||
| Cuba | Carné de identidad | |||
| Czech Republic | Občanský průkaz | compulsory at 15. | ||
| Egypt | Personality Verification Card | (بطاقة تحقيق الشخصية) | is compulsory to issue at the age of 16. Issued by the Civil Registry Office which is subordinate to the Ministry of Interior. Not carrying the ID card is only penalised by fine not exceeding 200 EGP. | |
| Germany | Identity Card | Personalausweis | compulsory for all German citizens age 16 or older to possess either a "Personalausweis" (identity card) or a passport, but not to carry it. While police officers and some other officials have a right to demand to see one of those documents, the law does not state that one is obliged to submit the document at that very moment. Fines may only be applied if an identity card or passport is not possessed at all, if the document is expired or if one explicitly refuses to show ID to the police. If one is unable to produce an ID card or passport (or any other form of credible identification) during a police control, one can (in theory) be brought to the next police post and detained for max. 12 hours, or until positive identification is possible. However, this measure is only applied if the police have reasonable grounds to believe the person detained has committed an offense. As driver's licences are not legally accepted forms of identification in Germany, most persons actually carry their "Personalausweis" with them.[7]. |
more |
| Sri Lanka | National Identity Card (NIC) | ජාතික හැඳුනුම්පත / தேசிய அடையாள அட்டை | All citizens over the age of 16 need to apply for a National Identity Card (NIC). Each NIC has a unique 10 digit number, in the format 000000000A (where 0 is a digit and A is a letter). The first two digits of the number are your year of birth (e.g.: 88xxxxxxxx for someone born in 1988). The final letter is generally a 'V' or 'X'. An NIC number is required to apply for a passport (over 16), driving license (over 18) and to vote (over 18). In addition, all citizens are required to carry their NIC on them at all times as proof of identity, given the security situation in the country. NICs are not issued to non-citizens, but they too are required to carry some form of photo identification (such as a photocopy of their passport or foreign driving license) at all times[8]. In addition the Department of Post may issue identity a card with a validity of five years, this may be gained in lure of an NIC if the later is unable to be issued. | more |
| China | First issued at school age, the Resident Identity Card (PRC) (Chinese: 居民身份证 Pinyin: Jūmín Shēnfènzhèng) becomes compulsory at 16. | |||
| Croatia | The Croatian identity card is compulsory at 16. | |||
| Cyprus | All Residents aged 12 and up are required to carry an official ID card (http://moi.gov.cy/content.php?subid=180) | |||
| Estonia | See id.ee (in Estonian), id.ee (in English) | |||
| Greece | ΑΣΤΥΝΟΜΙΚΗ ΤΑΥΤΟΤΗΤΑ (astinomiki taftotita) | In Greece, the biggest change in Identity Documents Law happened in 2000, when some fields of the Police Identity Card (as Greeks call it) were rejected. These fields included religion, addresses, biometric characteristics and fingerprint. Oppositely, some fields were added. These are Latin transliterations of name and surname, blood type and Rhesus of the owner. Under this law, all Greeks over 12 years old must go to a police office to ask for an Identity Card. In Greece, there are many everyday things you cannot do without an ID. In fact, according to an older law, the Police ID is the only legal identity document and no one has a right to ask for more identity documents. Since the 1980s all legal services in Greece must be done with this ID. Also, you can travel within the EU with a Greek National ID card. Carrying the ID is not compulsory, however during routine police checks, if you are found without an ID, the police officer may take you to the nearest police station for further investigation. | ||
| Hong Kong | See main article Hong Kong Identity Card. Identity cards have been used since 1949, and been compulsory since 1980. Children are required to obtain their first identity card at age 11, and must change to an adult identity card at age 18. | |||
| Hungary | See [6] (in Hungarian) It is compulsory to possess an ID or passport from the age of 14. A driving license can be also used for identification from the age of 17. Private entities however, are legally required to accept passport or driver's licence for proof, but often do not accept them, only the ID card, thus in effect almost all citizens have the ID card. Police has the legal power to stop people on streets at random and ask for ID paper only if they have any proof that the person was involved in a crime, or is a witness. If the person has no proof for identification he/she can be detained for maximum 24 hours. It is a common misconception in Hungary that the Police can ask for your ID at any time, but since 1990 this is not the case. | |||
| Indonesia | Kartu Tanda Penduduk for Indonesian citizens and the KITAP's or permanent residents card holder. This card is compulsory for people at age 17 or have been married or married. | |||
| Iran | The Iranian national identity card is compuslory for permanent residents, age 15 and over. | |||
| Israel | The Teudat Zehut is first issued at age 16 and is compulsory by 18. | |||
| Jordan | First issued at age 16 and is compulsory by 18. | |||
| Kenya | Issued at age 18 and is compulsory. Carrying the ID is not compulsory, however it's easier to get through police checks if you have one. | |||
| Lithuania | Personal identity card | Asmens tapatybės kortelė | Asmens tapatybės kortelė, compulsory at 16. | |
| Luxembourg | First issued at age 15 and only issued to Luxembourg citizens, who are required by law to carry it at all times. | |||
| Latvia | See [7] (In English) An identity card or passport is the mandatory personal identification document for a citizen of Latvia or a non-citizen who lives in Latvia and has reached 15 years of age. However, ID cards are still not being issued, the ID card project is a concept, even though the legislative base is present. | |||
| Madagascar | Kara-panondrom-pirenen'ny teratany malagasy (Carte nationale d'identité de citoyen malagasy). Possession is compulsory for Malagasy citizens from age 18 (by decree 78-277, 1978-10-03). | |||
| Malaysia | MyKad. Issued at age 12, it is updated at 18. MyKid before age of 12. MyPR for Permanent Resident. | |||
| Malta | Karta ta' l-Identità Issued at 14, updated at 16, compulsory at 18. | |||
| Moldova | The Buletin de identitate is compulsory at 16. | |||
| Morocco | The national identity card is the ID of the citizens of Morocco (in Arabic : بطاقة التعريف الوطنية). This is an official document which allows any citizen to prove his identity and therefore it is valid, his Moroccan nationality. It is compulsory for all citizens aged over 18 years, but it can be obtained from the age of 16. A new version of the card is out, it has the form of a credit card. The Directorate General of National Security (DSMS) of Morocco announced Sunday, March 30, 2008 it will proceed on 1 April 2008 to issue new national identity card Electronic (NIEC). The current national maps will be gradually replaced in four years. The NIEC is biometric and provides citizens of the presentation of life certificate, residence certificate, extract of birth and citizenship certificates. | |||
| Montenegro | The Montenegrin identity card (Lična karta/Лична карта) is compulsory at the age of 16. It is issued only to Montenegrin citizens with permanent residence in Montenegro. While it is the most often used official identification document, three other hold the same status — Passport, Driver's licence and Refugee ID card. Old style IDs, that refer to a the no longer existing states of SFRY or FRY, will expire in 2011. | |||
| Mozambique | Bilhete de identidade | |||
| Netherlands | Identiteitsbewijs (Dutch Wikipedia): Since 1 January 2005 identification is compulsory at 14. Legal proof of identity are a Dutch or other European identity card or a passport. A Dutch driving license is valid while other driving licenses are not valid for identification. It is not compulsory to carry a proof of identity, but it is compulsory to show it to the authorities when they ask such under certain circumstances. Such circumstances include suspicious behaviour, committing any offense, or if a person is interviewed as a witness of a crime. Identity checks at events where the public order may be in danger are also allowed. Otherwise random identity checks by the police are not allowed in principle but can happen in certain areas such as a train station or doubtful areas i.e. redlight district, and a fine for not showing proof of identity may be successfully challenged in such cases. The fine for not being able to show proof of identity when legally required is € 50.-. Proof of identity is also required when opening a bank account and when entering an employment contract. | |||
| Panama | Cedula de Identidad. Required at 18. Panamaninan citizens must carry their Cedula at all times.[9] | |||
| Pakistan | Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC). First made at the age of 18, not compulsory to carry all the time. The card is mandatory for opening bank accounts, for passport and almost all substantial monetary transactions from car, land to high value assets. | |||
| Peru | Documento Nacional de Identidad. | |||
| Poland | Polish National Identity Card The card is compulsory at 18. Those who do not comply with the relevant law are subject to restriction of freedom for up to 1 month or fine penalty.[10] | |||
| Portugal | as of 2006 the government has issued the Cartão de Cidadão (Citizen Card). The older Bilhete de identidade which has been compulsory at 10, is still in limited use. | |||
| Romania | The Carte de identitate is compulsory at 14. | |||
| Russia | Internal passport is compulsory at 14 (but there is no penalty for not having one until the age of 16) and reissued with a new photograph at 20, 45. Although there are no laws in Russia requiring to carry a proof of identity, in certain places, such as Moscow, it is sensible to carry a passport at all times as lack of an ID during ad-hoc police checks is sufficient grounds for detention. A passport is also required for travel by long-range trains and airlines. There are a couple of operations that require an internal passport, (e.g. all notarial operations, land to high value assets). | |||
| Saudi Arabia | The National ID Card "Bitaqat Al-Ahwal Al-Madaniya" (Arabic: بطاقة الأحوال المدنية) Issued at 15 for males, compulsory at 17. Non-compulsory for females but issued at 21. | |||
| Serbia | The Lična karta (Лична карта) is compulsory at the age of 16, but it can be obtained when a person turns 10. It is issued only to Serbian citizens with permanent residence in Serbia. While it is the most often used official identification document, three other hold the same status — Passport, Driver's licence and Refugee ID card. Old style IDs, that refer to a the no longer existing states of SFRY or FRY, will expire in 2011. | |||
| Singapore | It is compulsory for all citizens and permanent residents to apply for the National Registration Identity Card from age 15 onwards, and to re-register their cards for a replacement at age 30. It is not compulsory for bearers to hold the card at all times, nor are they compelled by law to show their cards to police officers conducting regular screening while on patrol, for instance. Failure to show any form of identification, however, may allow the police to detain suspicious individuals until relevant identification may be produced subsequently either in person or by proxy. The NRIC is also a required document for some government procedures, commercial transactions such as the opening of a bank account, or to gain entry to premises by surrendering or exchanging for an entry pass. Failure to produce the card may result in denied access to these premises or attainment of goods and services. In contrast to other countries, the NRIC also states the bearers' race. Immigration & Checkpoints Authority | |||
| Slovakia | Občiansky preukaz (Citizens card) is compulsory at the age of 15. It serves the purpose of general identification towards the authorities. It features a photograph, date of birth and the address. Every card has a unique number. | |||
| Slovenia | The Osebna izkaznica is compulsory for citizens of Slovenia who have a permanent residence in Slovenia, are at least 18 years old, and do not have a passport. It can be issued to citizens under 18 on request by their parent or legal guardian. | |||
| South Africa | An Identity Document (ID) is issued at age 16 to all citizens; and permanent residents. Although passports and driver's licences are also acceptable forms of identification, banks only accept IDs. Your ID has a barcode, a photo, and your unique ID number. Information (including age and gender but excluding race) is referenced under your ID number: accounts, criminal record, voting history, driver's licence etc. You need an ID in order to apply for a passport, bank account, driver's licence or tertiary studies, as well as to register to vote. In most cases employers will also request a photocopy of your ID in order to process your appointment. Your voting history as well as any firearm licences are documented in your ID booklet. As one's ID may be required for some of the functions listed above, some SA permanent residents, may elect to keep their ID document on their person. | |||
| South Korea | Korean citizens are issued a national ID card when reaching adulthood (typically when he/she reaches the age of 19 under East Asian age reckoning). This card will have a unique "Citizen's Registration Number" (jumin deungnok beonho; Korean: 주민등록번호 - see main article Resident registration number (South Korea)). The first six numbers indicate the citizen's date of birth, while the last seven numbers includes information such as where the birth was registered. This number is used by Korean citizens for all forms of record-keeping, including online. | |||
| Spain | The Documento Nacional de Identidad (DNI) (Spanish Wikipedia) is compulsory at 14, can be issued before if necessary (to travel to other European countries, for example). By law, it has to be carried at all times, and it is routinely used for identification, and it is often photocopied by private and public bureaus. Credit-card purchases cannot be made without showing this ID. Since 2006, it is being replaced by the Electronic DNI. | |||
| Taiwan | Republic of China National Identification Card | Guomin Shenfenzheng/國民身份證. | more | |
| Thailand | National ID card is compulsory for all citizens at the age of 7. | |||
| Turkey | The Nüfus Cüzdanı is compulsory right after birth without photograph, at the age of 15 a photograph must be sticked on. It has to be carried at all times and it is often photocopied by bureaus, banks, etc. | |||
| Ukraine | Internal Ukrainian passport is compulsory (to possess but not to carry) at age of 16. | |||
| Venezuela | In Venezuela it is called Cédula de Identidad, it is mandatory at the age of 10 and is renewed every 10 years | |||
| Vietnam | Known as giấy chứng minh nhân dân ("people's proof document"), it is compulsory for all Vietnamese citizens over 14. |
These are countries where official authorities issue identity cards to those who request them, but where it is not illegal to be without an official identity document. For certain services, identification is needed, then e.g. passports or identity cards issued by bank etc. can be used.
The country has had a national ID card since 1940, when it helped the Vichy authorities identify 76,000 for deportation as part of the Holocaust.
In the past, identity cards were compulsory, had to be updated each year in case of change of residence and were valid for 10 years, and their renewal required paying a fee. In addition to the face photograph, the card included the family name, first names, date and place of birth, and a unique national identity number relating to the national INSEE registry, which is also used as the national service registration number, and as the Social Security account number for health and retirement benefits.
Later, the laws were changed so that any official and certified document (even if expired and possibly unusable abroad) with a photograph and a name on it, issued by a public administration or enterprise (such as a rail transport card, student card, driving licence or passport) could be used as proof of identity. Also, law enforcement (police, gendarmerie) can now accept photocopies of these documents when performing identity checks, provided that the original document is presented within two weeks. For financial transactions, any of these documents must be equally accepted as proof of identity.
Identity cards are still issued, but are free of charge, and not compulsory. Legislation has been published for a proposed compulsory biometric card system, which has been widely criticised, among others by the "National commission for computing and liberties" (Commission nationale de l’informatique et des libertés, CNIL), the national authority and regulator on computing systems and databases. Identity cards issued since 2004 include basic biometric information (a digitized fingerprint record, a printed digital photograph and a scanned signature) and various anti-fraud systems embedded within the laminated card.
The French health insurance card, a smart card named "Carte Vitale 2", includes a digital photograph and other personal medical information in addition to identity elements. The previous version included a chip and a magnetic stripe, but contained very little information.
These are countries where official authorities do not issue any identity cards. When identification is needed, e.g. passports, identity cards issued by banks etc., or cards that are not mainly identity cards like drivers licenses can be used.
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