Cancellation of identity cards: FAQs

Are identity cards being cancelled?

Yes. The Government introduced the Identity Documents Bill to Parliament on 26 May 2010. The Bill makes provision for the cancellation of the UK National Identity Card, the Identification Card for EEA nationals and the destruction of the National Identity Register. The biometric residence permit (formerly known as the identity card for foreign nationals) is not being scrapped.

When will it happen?

The identity card legislation is currently being considered by Parliament. If passed by Parliament, this will cancel identity cards and the National Identity Register. This would mean that the card would no longer be valid for travel or identity verification purposes. In the meantime the Identity and Passport Service has suspended all identity card applications, until the outcome is known. Parliamentary consideration is currently scheduled to be completed later this year and we will be contacting existing cardholders when that happens.

What will happen to the cards already out there?

Cards remain valid until such time as the Identity Documents Bill is enacted. The Identity and Passport Service will be writing to existing cardholders at their registered address to inform them of the position.

Will you be offering refunds to those who bought cards?

Cardholders will not be offered refunds. The Government intends to scrap identity cards at the lowest possible cost to the taxpayer.

Are you going to recall the cards?

No. It would be an unnecessary and bureaucratic process to return cards which have no valid legal status.

What will happen to the National Identity Register?

Everyone issued with an identity card will have their identity details which were recorded on the National Identity Register securely destroyed. That includes photograph and fingerprint biometrics. This will happen within two months of the Identity Documents Bill receiving Royal Assent.

The National Identity Register will be decommissioned by IPS in conjunction with the relevant contractors. The completion of the decommissioning will be reported to Parliament by Ministers.

I bought an identity card and booked a holiday in Europe. Can I still travel?

All cards will be cancelled within one month of the Identity Documents Bill receiving Royal Assent. This is to allow the use of the identity card for those who are immediately about to travel or are currently travelling.

However, it is recommended that you travel with a passport in addition to your identity card. If you have made travel plans and don't currently have a passport we would advise you to apply for a passport now. For information on how to obtain a passport please visit www.direct.gov.uk/passports or phone the Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000. The line is open from 8.00am - 8.00pm Monday to Friday, and from 9.00am - 5.30pm weekends and public holidays.

Is the biometric residence permit also being scrapped?

No. The UK Border Agency (UKBA) will continue to issue biometric residence permits to non-EEA foreign nationals.

European law requires non-EEA foreign nationals to be provided with biometric residence permits.

They are separate from the programme to introduce the UK National Identity Card and the Identification Card for EEA nationals, and are issued under entirely different legislation.

The biometric data is not kept on the National Identity Register.