Although no dedicated national identity card exists in the United States, several other documents play that role. Citizens use multiple federal, state, and local government documents for identification. But what are the identity documents in the United States?
Typically, the identity documents in the U.S. are the state-issued identity card or driver’s license. Social Security and U.S. passport cards also fall within this category. So, if you’re curious about the accepted forms of identification, the article is for you.
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The List of Acceptable Documents for Identification in the U.S.
Multiple proposals to create dedicated national identity cards have been made over time.
However, arguments for this introduction have not stood the test of time due to reservations from both sides of the political divide. Still, multiple documents come in handy when there is a need for identification.
So, here is the list of acceptable documents you can use for that purpose.
1. The Birth Certificate
Birth certificates are the first identification documents for individuals. Parents receive them shortly after giving birth to their children. They receive them from the cities, counties, or local governments where their children are born.
Birth certificates are one of the most crucial identification documents because they establish citizenship by birth. People also refer to them as Feeder documents since they set the ground for all other forms of identification.
In other cases, people consider birth certificates as proof of citizenship rather than identity. It does not carry a photograph and cannot prove the carrier’s ID. For this reason, you must carry one with an accompanying document that proves your identity.
Your driver’s license or a parent’s testimony further validates your birth certificate as an ID document. Fortunately, people born abroad can also obtain U.S. birth certificates with the appropriate process.
2. Social Security Card
The Social Security Administration issues Social Security Numbers (SSNs) and cards. Usually, most parents apply for this identification card shortly after a child is born. Since there is no National ID card, this document comes in handy.
Social security cards function as nationally accepted identifiers for different purposes. As a result, you can use them when working with a government agency or non-government-affiliated organization.
Originally, the Social Security Administration used social security numbers to accurately track workers’ wages. In fact, most people only applied for the document when needed. Subsequent changes required parents to submit these details for income tax deductions.
Since its original use wasn’t for identification, Social Security cards do not carry the bearer’s photograph. For this reason, you must also use them with additional documents like photo IDs. Still, they are helpful in different organizations like schools and financial institutions.
3. State-issued ID Card and Driver’s License
Each state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues driver’s licenses and identification cards. These documents verify driving privileges and are also helpful as official identification documents.
Besides being handy when buying auto insurance, government, and private entities require this license to verify age and identity. You’ll need it when boarding flights, accessing secure government facilities, or completing business transactions.
You may also need them when buying age-restricted items like cigarettes or alcohol. A license you obtain from any state is valid in all the others. However, you’ll need a new one if you permanently move to another state.
If you’re visiting the U.S., you’ll need a temporary driver’s license. Only people with the necessary permission to visit the country receive this document. In the same way, this document is valid for driving and as an identification document.
4. Passport and Passport Card
You can apply for a passport at the U.S. postal services, local county, or municipal authority. However, the U.S. Department of State issues passports to citizens. Remember that people did not need this document if they were re-entering the country from nearby countries.
Because of this, only a tiny fraction of U.S. citizens had passports. However, some later reforms warranted passports for people entering the country from nearby countries.
So, an unexpired passport card proves your nationality by law. This document equates to certificates of naturalization or citizenship as long as it has not expired. On the other hand, you can opt for wallet-sized passport cards for increased convenience.
These are also travel documents for citizens who frequently need a federal identification method. This document is helpful for citizens who frequently travel between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
The passport card holds the same rights as the passport books, except for travel limitations. It is also valid as an identification document for domestic travel and useful as an ID in several application processes.
5. DOD Identification Card
People in the military and the Department of Defense (DOD) receive identity documents based on their status. Another document, the Geneva Identification Card or the Common Access Card (CAC), is also available to select service members.
For instance, the CAC is available to selected reserve and active duty members, contractors, and DOD employees. Adult military-dependent people, members of the inactive reserves, and retired service members get a different military ID.
Usually, DOD identification cards carry the official seal and peculiar numbers that match the holder’s SSN. However, the department has phased out this practice to protect service members’ identities. Instead, they now get DOD ID numbers and benefits ID numbers.
6. Travel and Immigration Documents
Travel and immigration documents like visas or green cards can also serve as identification documents. They can prove your identity and right to work in the U.S. in some cases. The Immigration Act clearly stipulates that every immigrant must carry a valid document.
For instance, you must have your permanent resident card as an immigrant. These cards contain your first and last names, photo, date of birth, and expiration.
In fact, the act requires that each immigrant who fails to comply with the direct pay a fine of $100. So, each immigrant must produce these documents when there’s a need for them.
7. The U.S. Health Insurance Card
Your health insurance card or health plan ID proves you have health insurance and is also useful as an identification document. Since it contains valuable personal information, it suffices in multiple situations.
It carries your first and last name, the insurance company’s name, and your identification. The card also has your specific policy and your card control number.
Besides the health insurance card, some health information documents also function as identity documents. For example, dental, medical, vision, Medicaid, Medicare, prescription, temporary, and state cards also work.
8. Other Identification Requirements
Since there is no national identity card in the U.S., citizens have multiple options regarding identification. In addition to the above options, you can use multiple documents from both government and private organizations.
For instance, you can use your hospital record, hunting license, nursery school record, marriage certificate, and utility bill. Your school report card, divorce decree, tribal document, and library card also come in handy.
However, these are only secondary identification documents, so people do not always accept them alone. There are also different identification requirements for different purposes.
Why Proof of Identification Documents Are Important
Proof of identification documents are essential for a good number of reasons. Besides people with a foreign passport, it is sometimes necessary for citizens to hold some form of identification. Overall, this depends on where you’re going and what activities you will perform.
For instance, you’ll need identification when watering federal facilities or nuclear power plants. You’ll also need to carry an ID when boarding commercial flights. Besides that, you may need an ID when buying regulated items.
Certain stores require IDs when buying items like guns, tobacco, alcohol, and cold medicine. In some states, it is illegal for pharmacists to sell over-the-counter cough or cold medicines without ID checks.
In addition to that, driving without a license is a crime in every state in the country. For this reason, you must keep this document at hand in case a need for it arises. Then, some states require identification for people who intend to vote.
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