List of National Identity Card Policies By Country - Identity Card Policies By Country - Countries With No Identity Cards

Countries With No Identity Cards

These are countries where official authorities do not issue any identity cards. When identification is needed, e.g. passports, identity cards issued by banks etc., or cards that are not mainly identity cards like drivers licenses can be used.

• Australia: In 1985, there was a failed proposal to create an Australia Card. In 2006 the Australian Government announced the introduction a non-compulsory Access Card that would act as a gateway to services administered by The Department of Human Services. This project, however, was terminated in November 2007. Class A identification documents in most Australian states include Driver's License (issued by the state government), Shooter's License (issued by the state government), 18+ Card (issued by the state government), Australian Passport (issued by the Federal government), foreign passport, or Residency/Citizenship documents (issued by the Federal government).
• Denmark: No national identity card. When needed, e.g. in the bank, a passport, driver's license or a municipal identity card is used. Against authorities a health insurance card (without photo) can be used.
• India is currently piloting an ID card system, see Multipurpose National Identity Card (India). Proof of identity such as passport, ration card, PAN card, or driving license is mandatory for issuing essentials such as electricity, water, cell-phone SIM cards, etc. Those without proof of identity can often not obtain such basics.
• Ireland: There is no requirement for Irish or UK citizens to identify themselves in Ireland. Citizens who were born in Ireland or the UK are allowed to travel within the Common Travel Area without producing a passport, but should be able to provide photographic identification on demand. All others are required to show a passport, or National Identity card in the case of EEA nationals. There is a voluntary Aoischárta Náisiúnta / National Age Card available to residents over 18, showing name, date of birth, sex, photograph, and unique card number, intended to allow young people to prove they are legally allowed to buy alcohol; it is a "proof of age" card, and has no legal value as an identity card
• New Zealand: There are no national identity cards, however the New Zealand driver license is the de facto national identity card to certify a person's identity or age. A passport, or birth certificate in conjunction with a driver license, is needed as proof of citizenship.
• Norway: No national identity card, but other identity cards exist which are needed e.g. in the bank if not using a passport. Norway will in 2011 or 2012 introduce a voluntary national identity card, to be usable for travel to EU countries.
• Philippines: In an effort to hasten application for government services, the government is now issuing the Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) as the single identity card for the four main government agencies namely, the Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Pag-IBIG Fund (Home Development Mutual Fund).
• United Kingdom: Compulsory identity cards were to be introduced under the Identity Cards Act 2006. Initial cards, not yet compulsory, were introduced for those who wanted them in 2009, but the requirement and the cards were abolished by the Identity Documents Act 2010 after a change of government. When a formal identity document is needed, a passport or a driver's license is needed. For simpler cases like age verification, if having no driver's license, there are simpler age proof cards, certified under the "Proof of Age Standards Scheme".