Asking for Identification (ID) and Information

* May I see some photo ID?
* Can I see your passport?
* Driver's license, please.
* Do you have your birth certificate?
* How long have you been in the country?
* Are you here for a holiday?
* Do you have another piece of ID?

ID is different in every country

It is important to keep in mind that every country requires different documentation that proves someone's identification (ID). In many countries such as Greece and Spain a national ID card is compulsory. Citizens are expected to have these cards on them at all times. However, in other countries ID cards are not required. Police and officials in these countries often use another system to identify people, such as asking for two pieces of ID.

Types of ID

* Passport
* Government-issued Photo ID card
* Driving licence/Driver's license
* Birth certificate
* Permanent residence card
* Social security card
* Medical/Health card
* Voter registration card

Information/security items that may appear on documentation

bar codea series of thick and thin black lines that holds computerized information
Date of birth (DOB)date when the ID holder was born:
day/month/year: 23/05/1970 (23rd May 1970)
month/day/year: 05/23/1970 (23rd May 1970)
year/month/day: 1970/05/23 (23rd May 1970)
Date of Issuedate when documentation was created
Eye colorblue, brown, green, black, gray
Fingerprint
markings of a person's thumb or finger tip
Heighthow tall a person is in centimeters or feet and inches
Holograma laser photograph which makes a picture or image look life-like
Magnetic stripea long black stripe found on the back of a card that can be swiped into a computer for information
Maiden namea woman's surname before marriage
Marital statussingle, married, divorced (no longer married), separated, common law wife, common law husband
National status
citizenship (native citizen, immigrant, landed immigrant, permanent resident, refugee)
Photograph
recent picture of ID holder
Place of birthcity, country where ID holder was born
Profession
current job (doctor, teacher, retired)
Serial number or PIN (Personal Identification Number)number that can be entered into government systems to find information about a person
SexM (male), F (female)
Signaturehand-written name of ID holder
Valid until/expiry datethe last date when an ID document can be used