CitizenCard verifies the identity of every applicant. All first time applications go through a stringent verification process to ensure the applicant's name, date of birth and appearance are checked before a CitizenCard proof of age and ID is issued.

Brief overview of the online verification process with a valid photo identification (such as a passport):

• applicant takes a photo of their valid photo ID (such as a passport) and uploads it
• document data is extracted and checked to match the ID document details by the Electronic ID Validation system
• applicant takes a photo of themselves to prove they're a real person using a liveness detection technology
• we verify the applicant's identity by matching their photo ID with the image captured and checking Electronic ID Validation report which tells us whether the uploaded document is genuine or not

Brief overview of the verification process with a referee:

• applicant shows an original document (such as a birth certificate) or any other acceptable evidence supporting their identity to a professional who vouches that the details within the CitizenCard application (such as the date of birth and name) match the details listed on the supporting evidence
• the referee vouches that the photos supplied are a true likeness
• CitizenCard validates the referee's credentials by checking professional databases and then contacts the referee at their workplace to confirm they really did support the application

If the applicant doesn't have any documents confirming their identity, certain professions such as nurse, solicitor or social worker, can be asked to declare that the details in the application match their official workplace records.

We also have access to information such as electoral registers, address files and credit reference agency files. The precise detail of CitizenCard's verification process is confidential. Our process is audited by members of the Age Check Certification Scheme on behalf of PASS to ensure that the vigorous verification protocol is followed.

CitizenCard will prosecute any applicant who applies for a card fraudulently. If the police are satisfied that an offence has been committed under the terms of the UK Fraud Act 2006 then an Official Caution is issued (unless the police wish to bring a prosecution).

Read more about the CitizenCard verification process.