UK identity cards

Get your business ready for the new identity cards

The Identity and Passport Service will soon be launching two new identity cards, the National Identity Card (for British citizens) and the Identification Card (for European Economic Area and Swiss nationals). These are part of the rollout of the National Identity Service and it is important you make sure your business is ready.

Although the initial launch is to those living in Greater Manchester, these identity cards could be presented anywhere in the country and in future will be available to everyone in the UK. You or your staff may be shown one of the cards as a visual proof of identity. You may have a customer wanting to prove their age or a potential employee needing to prove their entitlement to work in the UK. It is therefore necessary to know how to recognise the cards.

These cards join the Identity Card for Foreign Nationals that was launched in November 2008 by the UK Border Agency. Identity cards offer you a more secure form of protection when carrying out your legal checks. No special equipment is needed.

Explore the features and benefits of the identity cards

Discover how the cards can be used and the benefits for your business.

Learn about the three different types of identity card that may be presented to you.

Check the security features of the identity cards.

Find out more information and answers to some of your questions in our FAQs.

Make sure you're ready with our free business pack

We have created a free business pack to help get your business ready for identity cards. It contains leaflets showing card security features, as well as posters and display stickers. These will help you to brief your staff and let your customers know that you are ready to accept identity cards.