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 code	a 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 Issue	date when documentation was created
Eye colour	blue, brown, green, black, grey
Fingerprint	markings of a person's thumb or finger tip
Height	how tall a person is in centimetres or feet and inches
Hologram	a laser photograph which makes a picture or image look life-like
Magnetic stripe	a long black stripe found on the back of a card that can be swiped into a computer for information
Maiden name	a woman's surname before marriage
Marital status	single, 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 birth	city, 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
Sex	M (male), F (female)
Signature	hand-written name of ID holder
Valid until/expiry date	the last date when an ID document can be used

Reading Exercise: Identity Fraud

Read the vocabulary and then try to fill in the blanks.

Today, __________ is a major concern for police around the world. Many young people use __________ ID to access adult venues, such as concerts and nightclubs. As police find new ways to __________ fake ID (e.g. searching the Internet for __________ companies), new technology is created to help make fraudulent ID look __________. ID cards with security measures, such as magnetic stripes and barcodes help to prevent people from __________ fake ID. However, an even greater problem for police is the concern of __________. Some thieves make a profession out of stealing wallets, purses, or personal mail in order to sell new identities to criminals or __________. There is great __________ over whether or not all countries should opt for national ID cards. Some people do not think that the police should have access to such personal information, while others think it would help to prevent crime and illegal immigration.

Answer

Today, ID fraud is a major concern for police around the world. Many young people use counterfeit ID to access adult venues, such as concerts and nightclubs. As police find new ways to crack down on fake ID (i.e. searching the Internet for underground companies), new technology is created to help make fraudulent ID look authentic. ID cards with security measures, such as magnetic stripes and barcodes help to prevent people from getting away with fake ID. However, an even greater problem for police is the concern of identity theft. Some thieves make a profession out of stealing wallets, purses, or personal mail in order to sell new identities to criminals or illegal immigrants. There is great controversy over whether or not all countries should opt for national ID cards. Some people do not think that the police should have access to such personal information, while others think it would help to prevent crime and illegal immigration.