Asking for Identification (ID) and Information - English for Police
Example Sentences
- May I see some photo ID?
- Can I see your passport?
- Driver's license, please.
- Do you have your birth certificate?
- How long have you been in the country?
- Are you here for a holiday?
- Do you have another piece of ID?
ID is different in every country
It is important to keep in mind that every country requires different documentation that proves someone's identification (ID). In many countries such as Greece and Spain a national ID card is compulsory. Citizens are expected to have these cards on them at all times. However, in other countries ID cards are not required. Police and officials in these countries often use another system to identify people, such as asking for two pieces of ID.
Types of ID
- Passport
- Government-issued Photo ID card
- Driving licence/Driver's license
- Birth certificate
- Permanent residence card
- Social security card
- Medical/Health card
- Voter registration card
Information/security items that may appear on documentation
| word | meaning |
|---|---|
| bar code | a series of thick and thin black lines that holds computerized information |
| date of birth (DOB) | date when the ID holder was born: day/month/year: 23/05/1970 (23rd May 1970) month/day/year: 05/23/1970 (23rd May 1970) year/month/day: 1970/05/23 (23rd May 1970) |
| date of issue | date when documentation was created |
| eye colour | blue, brown, green, black, grey |
| fingerprint |
markings of a person's thumb or finger tip 
|
| height | how tall a person is in centimetres or feet and inches |
| hologram | a laser photograph which makes a picture or image look lifelike |
| magnetic stripe | a long black stripe found on the back of a card that can be swiped into a computer for information |
| maiden name | a woman's surname before marriage |
| marital status | single, married, divorced (no longer married), separated, common law wife, common law husband |
| national status | citizenship (native citizen, immigrant, landed immigrant, permanent resident, refugee) |
| photograph | recent picture of ID holder |
| place of birth | city, country where ID holder was born |
| profession | current job (doctor, teacher, retired) |
| serial number or PIN (Personal Identification Number) | number that can be entered into government systems to find information about a person |
| sex | M (male), F (female) |
| signature | hand-written name of ID holder |
| valid until, expiry date | the last date when an ID document can be used |
Reading Exercise: Identity Fraud
Try this reading exercise about identity fraud:
- read the vocabulary
- try to fill in the blanks
- check your answer
| word | meaning |
|---|---|
| ID fraud | lying about one's identity |
| counterfeit | fake, not real |
| illegal immigrants | people who do not have government permission to live or work in a country |
| crack down on | to put a real stop to |
| authentic | real, true |
| identity theft | stealing someone else's identity for personal use (or sale) |
| underground | not publicly known, usually illegal |
| getting away with | not getting caught by police or the authorities |
| controversy | disagreement surrounding an issue |
Today, is a major concern for police around the world. Many young people use ID to access adult venues, such as concerts and nightclubs. As police find new ways to fake ID (e.g. searching the Internet for companies), new technology is created to help make fraudulent ID look . ID cards with security measures, such as magnetic strips and barcodes, help to prevent people from fake ID. However, an even greater problem for police is the concern of . Some thieves make a profession out of stealing wallets, purses, or personal mail in order to sell new identities to criminals or . There is great over whether or not all countries should opt for national ID cards. Some people do not think that the police should have access to such personal information, while others think it would help to prevent crime and illegal immigration.