An identity document (also known as ID) is a piece of documentation designed to verify aspects of a person's identity such as address. If an identity document is in the form of a small standard-sized card, it is called an identity card.

ID cards have become a fairly commonplace item in many businesses today. They are used to easily identify employees, to control access for security reasons, and also to provide a way for customers to identify employees in a retail environment. ID cards and badges can also be used to control access to certain areas and provide tracking of employee's movements through restricted areas. This type of tracking allows companies to better protect the safety of its employees and property. In recent times there's been arising ID cards with a bar code, magnetic strip, or proximity chip. This type of ID card is used to automate access control and to provide employee tracking. Infoscouts

Id card

ID cards are normally issued by a state, it holds a unique single civil identity for a person, thus linking that person's identity in relation to the state. New technologies could allow identity cards to contain biometric information, such as photographs, face, hand or iris measurements, or fingerprints. ID cards are a source of continued debate. Their use is backed by law enforcement officials who claim that it can make surveillance and identification of criminals much easier. However, concern is also expressed about the extensive cost and potential abuse of hi-tech smartcards. Wikipedia

ID cards are in use, in one form or another in numerous countries around the world. The type of card, its function, and its integrity vary enormously. Around a hundred countries have official, compulsory, national IDs that are used for a variety of purposes. Many developed countries, however, do not have such a card. The use of sectorial (specific purpose) ID cards for health or social security is widespread, and most countries that do not have national universal ID cards, have a health or social security card (in Australia, the Medicare Card, in the United States, the Social Security number), or traditional paper documents of identity.

The majority of ID cards in use in developed nations have the holders name, sex, date of birth, and issuing coordinates printed on the card itself. An expiry date, and number is also embossed, along with a space for a signature. A minority of sectoral ID cards include a photograph. Official cards issued by police or Interior Ministries generally do include a photograph, and in many cases, a fingerprint.