UK identity cards

Get your business ready for the new identity cards

In November 2009 the Identity and Passport Service began the public launch of two new identity cards and it is important that you make sure your business is ready.

A free business pack has been created to prepare your business for identity cards. It contains leaflets showing cards' security features, as well as staff and customer 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.

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The National Identity Card (for British citizens) and the Identification Card (for European Economic Area and Swiss nationals) are part of the rollout of the National Identity Service. Those living or working in North West England and 16-24 year olds living in London are eligible for a card, however these identity cards could be presented anywhere in the country.

You or your staff may be shown one of the cards as a visual proof of identity. For example, 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 (for those outside of the European Economic Area and Switzerland) that was launched in November 2008 by the UK Border Agency - Opens in a new window. Identity cards offer you a more secure form of protection when carrying out your legal checks. No special equipment is needed.