Passports & immigration
How the data will be used
Your identity information will be stored in a database called the National Identity Register. Information held in this database will be strictly limited, and only Parliament will be able to change the type of data that’s stored there. The data will only be used to accurately determine your identity.
Public and private sector organisations will be able to check the information held on the National Identity Register to help them establish the identity of their customers and staff. For example, you may be asked to prove your identity when opening a bank account or registering with a doctor.
The National Identity Register will contain personal information such as:
- name
- address
- gender
- date and place of birth
- immigration status
- fingerprints
- iris patterns
- facial image
It will not include sensitive personal information such as:
- ethnic origin
- medical records
- tax records
- religious beliefs
Are ID cards a threat to our privacy?
No. The National Identity Register will only hold details of basic personal information already held by many government departments along with your biometric information. This information is strictly limited by the Identity Cards Act 2006.
Information will only be held for the purposes of proving identity. Sensitive information like medical records will not be held.
You will have the right to see what information is held about you.
More detailed information about ID cards
For more detailed information on the plans to introduce identity cards, visit the Identity and Passport Service website (new window).
