There will be four steps to getting an ID card:
The fifth section describes the ID card itself:
We expect most people to get their ID card when they apply for a new adult passport, either a first passport or a renewal. Your passport booklet and your new ID card will be issued together.
As the scheme progresses it will be possible to apply for an ID card separately (called a stand-alone ID card) if you do not have or need a passport.
Please note that you will not be able to apply for an ID card until 2009. Furthermore, until 1 January 2010, people will be given an option to choose not to be issued with an ID card when they receive their passport, although their details will be entered on the National Identity Register (NIR).
Your ‘biographical footprint’ is simply the basic facts of your life, for example: name, date of birth and address.
When you apply for an ID card, we will check your ‘biographical footprint’ against information held in other databases such as National Insurance or driving licence records. We will not rely entirely on written documents for this information (as they could be forged). You will be asked to visit one of our local or mobile centres in person wherever possible. This will make it harder for someone to pretend to be another person when applying for an ID card.
Biometrics are unique personal characteristics, such as your fingerprints
and irises.
Examples of biometric technology already being used include facial recognition,
which is used on the new biometric
passports.
Once we have checked your identity, we will record your biometric data. Recording facial and iris biometrics is just like having a high-quality digital photo taken. Recording fingerprints is very simple too and no ink is involved. You just press your fingers against a reader.
These biometrics will be ‘sealed to’ or permanently paired with your biographical information to create completely unique and secure identity data.
The final stage is to issue your ID card. All cards will be produced to a common standard and format but, because of the information it holds, your card will be unique to you. The card will be sent to you by secure delivery.
Your ID card will be the size of a credit card and will show your name and an image of your face for quick and easy recognition.
It will also contain a chip which will hold basic personal identity information along with your biometric data. This information will also be available on the NIR.
Each card will also have its own:
