Identity Cards Worldwide
Countries with compulsory identity cards
According to Privacy International, as of 1996, around 100 countries had compulsory identity cards. They also stated that "virtually no common law country has a card".The term "compulsory" may have different meanings and implications in different countries. The compulsory character may apply only after a certain age. Often, a ticket can be given for being found without one's identification document, or in some cases a person may even be detained until the identity is ascertained. In practice, random controls are rare, except in police states.
Argentina: Documento Nacional de Identidad. Issued at birth. Updated at 8 and 16 years old. Small booklet, dark green cardboard cover. The first page states the name, date and place of birth, along with a picture and right thumb print. It's a hand written form, and the newer models have an adhesive laminate for the first page. Next pages issue address changes, wish to donate organs, military service, and vote log. Half of the pages have the DNI (a unique number), perforated through the first half of the book. Prior to DNI was the Libreta Civica ("Civic booklet"), for women, and the Libreta de Enrolamiento ("Enrollment Booklet"), for men. A few years ago there was a big scandal with the electronic DNIs that were going to be manufactured by Siemens, and it was decided that no private corporation could control the issuing of national identity. The federal police also have an identity that is valid sometimes instead of the DNI, which many people prefer to carry because after the loss of DNI there is a long process (caused only by bureaucratic reasons) in which the person is limited in some situations which require the DNI. Random controls cannot be made without a judge's order, except in situations such as military border checkpoints.
Belgium: See State Registry (in Dutch, French and German) The card is first issued at age 12, compulsory by 15.
Brazil: Cédula de identidade. Compulsory to be issued and carried since the age of 18. It's usually issued by each state's Public Safety Secretary, or sometimes by the Armed Forces. There is a national standard, but each state can include minor differences. The front has a picture, right thumb print and signature. The verse has the unique number (RG, registro geral), expedition date, name of the person, name of the parents, place and date of birth, and other info. It is green and plastified, officially 102 × 68 mm[2], but the lamination tends to make it slightly larger than the ISO 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, which are considered equivalent to the national identity card for most purposes.
Chile: Carnet de identidad. First issued at age 2 or 3, it is compulsory at 18.
People's Republic of China: First issued at school age, the Jumin Shengfenzheng becomes compulsory at 16.
Croatia: The Osobna iskaznica is compulsory at 16.
Cuba: Carné de identidad
Czech Republic: Obcanský prukaz, compulsory at 15.
Egypt
Estonia: See id.ee (in Estonian), [3] (in English)
Original German "Personalausweis" (back)
Original German "Personalausweis" (front)Germany: Personalausweis (German Wikipedia): It is compulsory at age 16 to possess either a "Personalausweis" 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, but only that one must be able to submit it in the future (that is, bring it to the police station/municipal office the next day, or know where it is and show it to the police at your home, and so on.) Fines may only be applied if an identity card or passport is not possessed at all, if the document is expired or if one explicity refuses to show ID to the police.
Greece
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.
Indonesia: Kartu Tanda Penduduk (KTP; link goes to Indonesian Wikipedia)
Israel: The Teudat Zehut is first issued at age 16 and is compulsory by 18.
Italy: Carta d'Identità (Italian Wikipedia)
Hungary: See [4] (in Hungarian) It is compulsory to possess and carry either an ID card or a passport from the age of 14. A driving license can be also used for identification from the age of 17.
Luxembourg
Latvia: See [5] (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.
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.
Netherlands: Since 2005, every person over 14 years of age must always carry a passport, driving licence, Dutch/European identity card or (for foreigners) an identification document.[6]
Polish national ID card (front and back)Poland: Dowód osobisty (Polish Wikipedia): The card is compulsory at 18. The relative law is roughly similar to the German one.
Portugal: Bilhete de identidade (Portuguese Wikipedia): The card is compulsory at 10, but can be issued before if needed.
Romania: The Carte de identitate is compulsory at 14.
Russia: Internal passport
Serbia: The Licna Karta (????? ?????) is compulsory at 18.
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. Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
Slovakia: Obciansky preukaz (Citzens 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 at 18, but can be issued to citizens under 18 on request by their parent or legal guardian.
Spanish DNI specimen, front (top) back (bottom)
Spanish electronic DNISpain: 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). It is to be replaced by Electronic DNI.
Thailand
Turkey
Countries with non-compulsory identity cards
Australia: In 1985, there was a failed proposal to create an Australia Card. In 2006 the Australian Government reproposed the concept of a compulsory National Identity Card, which is still under investigation, and has subsequently announced the introduction a non-compulsory National Services Card that will act as a gateway to services administered by | The Department of Human Services.
Austria
Finland
France
Sweden has recently started issuing national identity cards, but they are by no means compulsory. Most Swedes have not even seen one. Commonly people use their driving licences as ID, or an ID issued by banks or the post. Some big companies and authorities also issue ID cards to their employees which are usually accepted in Sweden as identification.
Switzerland