A national identity document is an identity card with a photo, usable as an identity card at least inside the country, and which is issued by an official national authority. Identity cards can be issued voluntarily or may be compulsory to possess as a resident or citizen.
Driving licences and other cards issued by state or regional governments indicating certain permissions are not counted here as national identity cards. So for example, by this criterion, the United States driver's license is excluded, as these are issued by local (state) governments.
Generally, most countries in the world issue identity cards, with fewer than 10 countries worldwide not issuing them, mostly confined to the anglosphere, microstates and unrecognised states. Many states issue voluntary identity cards to citizens as a convenience. As of 1996, identity cards were compulsory in over 100 countries. In these countries, the meaning of compulsory varies.
In the European Union, an EU/EEA national identity card can be used to travel freely within the EU/EEA in lieu of a passport. Similarly, in South America, citizens may use an identity card to travel between MERCOSUR states. In many other areas of the world, simplified travel arrangements are in place for neighbouring countries, allowing the use of identity cards for travel.
The term "compulsory" may have different meanings and implications in different countries. of a card may only become compulsory at a certain age. There may be a penalty for not a card or identification such as a driving licence. In some cases a person may be detained until identity is proven. This facilitates police identification of fugitives. In some countries, police need a reason to ask for identification, such as suspicion of a crime or security risk, while in others, they can do so without stating a reason. Random checks are rare, except in police states. Normally there is an age limit, such as 18, after which possession is mandatory, even if minors aged 15âÂÂ17 may need a card in order to prove that they are under 18.
These are countries where official authorities issue identity cards to those who request them, it is not illegal to be without an official identity document, but practically many essential administrative operations are impossible or extremely difficult without an identity card. In these countries, basically all people request the identity card.
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 some services, identification is needed, but documents such as passports or identity cards issued by banks or driving licences can be used. In countries where national identity cards are fully voluntary, they are often not so commonly used, because many already have a passport and a driving licence, so a third identity document is often considered superfluous.
These are countries where official authorities do not issue any identity cards. When identification is needed, e.g. passports, driving licences, bank cards etc. can be used, along with manual verification such as utility bills and bank statements. Most countries that are not listed at all in this page have no national ID card.