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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Getting frustrated to be needing photo ID.

213 replies

Soubriquet · 17/04/2023 09:24

I don’t have a drivers license as I don’t drive. I don’t have a passport as I can’t afford to travel. I also never bothered with photo ID because I don’t drink or smoke.

This seems to be changing lately. Birth certificate and marriage certificates aren’t enough. More places require a photo ID which is a pita for me as it’s an expense I shouldn’t have to fork out for.

Yes, I know it’s better for security and stuff but it’s annoying.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
ComtesseDeSpair · 18/04/2023 16:35

MillicentTrilbyHiggins · 18/04/2023 16:27

So things are more complicated/expensive without photo ID.
Not impossible though like people claim.

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If somebody’s argument against not having ID is the expensive and difficulty of obtaining any, as seems to be the predominant theme of this thread, you certainly aren’t going to see the KYC processes which are required if you don’t have any as preferable in terms of cost and eligibility. And indeed, some of these processes are so complex and expensive to carry out that you’d have to be positively bone-headed to see them as a viable alternative if you could get photo ID: I’ve just completed an intra-entity KYC with a named beneficial owner who didn’t have a form of ID our cedant considered acceptable. It’s taken the better part of six months and two trips to Lambeth Police Station to get them fingerprinted and certified. That’s an extreme example, but one you really wouldn’t think worth doing just so you didn’t have to hold photo ID.

RuthW · 18/04/2023 16:35

To the rude person who says I lead a limited life, I lead a very full one thank you.

I have lived in the same house for 32 years - mortgage now paid off.

I have worked for the same company for 32 years (numerous promotions).

I don't like travel and last left the Uk in 1989. (My choice)

I have a valid paper driving licence.

All bank accounts were opened pre photo id (I'm 55 now)

I have never felt the need to pay for photo id.

RampantIvy · 18/04/2023 16:42

Thelnebriati · 18/04/2023 15:16

So many of you are able bodied with able bodied friends, and it shows.

And too young to have had a bank account/mortgage/worked for the same company for long enough that they pre-dated requiring photo ID for everything.

MillicentTrilbyHiggins · 18/04/2023 16:45

ComtesseDeSpair · 18/04/2023 16:35

If somebody’s argument against not having ID is the expensive and difficulty of obtaining any, as seems to be the predominant theme of this thread, you certainly aren’t going to see the KYC processes which are required if you don’t have any as preferable in terms of cost and eligibility. And indeed, some of these processes are so complex and expensive to carry out that you’d have to be positively bone-headed to see them as a viable alternative if you could get photo ID: I’ve just completed an intra-entity KYC with a named beneficial owner who didn’t have a form of ID our cedant considered acceptable. It’s taken the better part of six months and two trips to Lambeth Police Station to get them fingerprinted and certified. That’s an extreme example, but one you really wouldn’t think worth doing just so you didn’t have to hold photo ID.

Show quote history

I don't know what KYC processes are, sorry.
And yes, of course for some things actual photo ID is easier. I'm Not arguing that it's not, merely refuting PPs claims that you haveto have photo ID for things that you absolutely don't.

But so far I've never not been able to do something I've wanted/needed because of lack of photo ID. Companies will tell me I have to provide it. When I tell them I can't they then have a list of other forms of ID I can show them. Other than the local shop refusing to accept my energy voucher until the manager came over that is.

I don't actually have an issue with it being made compulsory by law. Provided physical/financial assistance is provided to those who need it.

It's the seemingly introduction by stealth that's happening that I object to.

Emigratingimmigrant · 18/04/2023 17:03

Divorcedalongtime · 18/04/2023 15:27

If you were foreign you wouldn’t as you can’t get a job or any other benefits without a valid passport. It’s annoying AF as it costs £400 from the embassy every 5 years…. So I think you are unreasonable

Are yours just giving 5 years😱 that sucks!

KnittingNeedles · 18/04/2023 17:10

KYC = Know Your Customer. Identity verification by banks and other financial institutions to try to stop money laundering.

Highworth · 18/04/2023 17:11

Thinkingpod · 18/04/2023 13:45

How have you got a job without ID? it's a basic requirement

It hasn’t always been.

RampantIvy · 18/04/2023 17:17

Highworth · 18/04/2023 17:11

It hasn’t always been.

Show quote history

Exactly. I have never needed photo ID for work. Obviously I have my pass, but I didn't need a photo to start work there nearly 20 years ago. I was an ex employee and they asked me to go back, so they knew me anyway.

Thinkingpod · 18/04/2023 17:22

Highworth · 18/04/2023 17:11

It hasn’t always been.

Show quote history

I got a job in asda in 2003 and needed it. Every other job has needed it. All be it now my job requires clearance so that makes sense

luckylavender · 18/04/2023 17:22

Albiboba · 17/04/2023 09:27

I can’t see how any adult really gets by in life without photo ID if I’m honest.

Really?

Beneficialchampion2 · 18/04/2023 17:28

Soubriquet · 17/04/2023 09:27

Well…I’m 35 this year and managed to get this far in life without it.

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It's pretty much a requirement for employment now, unless you'd rather go through the exhaustive list of birth certificate, utility bills etc.

taxguru · 18/04/2023 18:50

@MillicentTrilbyHiggins

I'm Not arguing that it's not, merely refuting PPs claims that you haveto have photo ID for things that you absolutely don't.

But the organisation is perfectly within their rights NOT to employ you, NOT to open a bank account for you, NOT to give you credit, NOT to act for your house sale, etc., if they don't want the hassle of dealing with someone without photo id, because of the extra time, faff and hassle. For some organisations you DO need photo ID or they will simply not deal with you. It's their prerogative.

taxguru · 18/04/2023 18:52

RampantIvy · 18/04/2023 17:17

Exactly. I have never needed photo ID for work. Obviously I have my pass, but I didn't need a photo to start work there nearly 20 years ago. I was an ex employee and they asked me to go back, so they knew me anyway.

Show quote history

As mentioned above, the money laundering and proceeds of crime legislation was introduced in 2002 which is when the more rigourous ID checking came into force. Your employer was probably negligent in never checking your right to work in the UK if they've never seen your passport or birth certificate - as the years have passed since 2002, the rules have been tightened and extended to require proof of ID for current workers/current clients even if proof of ID wasn't required when they first signed on.

RampantIvy · 18/04/2023 19:28

taxguru · 18/04/2023 18:52

As mentioned above, the money laundering and proceeds of crime legislation was introduced in 2002 which is when the more rigourous ID checking came into force. Your employer was probably negligent in never checking your right to work in the UK if they've never seen your passport or birth certificate - as the years have passed since 2002, the rules have been tightened and extended to require proof of ID for current workers/current clients even if proof of ID wasn't required when they first signed on.

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They will have seen my driving licence because I used to have a company car. does that count?
I have never been asked for official photo ID where I work since I started back there in 2004. I have a photo on my ID badge though.

MillicentTrilbyHiggins · 18/04/2023 20:11

taxguru · 18/04/2023 18:50

@MillicentTrilbyHiggins

I'm Not arguing that it's not, merely refuting PPs claims that you haveto have photo ID for things that you absolutely don't.

But the organisation is perfectly within their rights NOT to employ you, NOT to open a bank account for you, NOT to give you credit, NOT to act for your house sale, etc., if they don't want the hassle of dealing with someone without photo id, because of the extra time, faff and hassle. For some organisations you DO need photo ID or they will simply not deal with you. It's their prerogative.

Yes, all true. But not a problem I've personally had. Maybe I'm too poor to be likely to be money laundering Grin

My BC/NI number have always been enough proof that I'm allowed to work in the UK.

Emigratingimmigrant · 18/04/2023 20:14

I think in past it was lots of "You look british so does your name, you ok"...
Frankly, it's still sometimes a case. I think some people (eg hr, landlords) think they just need to check "obviously" foreign

L1ttledrummergirl · 19/04/2023 00:08

ComtesseDeSpair · 18/04/2023 16:04

If a man comes to your door and says he’s Detective Constable Steve Smith and he needs you to get into his car and come down to the police station as you’ve been implicated in a fraud, what do you do? Do you ask him for ID? Or do you follow and get into his car, reasoning to yourself that if he’s not the real deal then that can be dealt with appropriately after he’s smothered you with your own jacket and buried you?

If you’re hiring for a babysitter and a woman applies, telling you that she’s Louise Jones, born and bred in the UK, totally entitled to work here, no criminal record whatsoever, no siree. Do you shake her hand and tell her that she starts looking after your toddler tomorrow, because we shouldn’t be suspicious of 99% of people on the basis that 1% might be lying? Or do you ask her for ID and references?

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These are poor examples.
If a man comes to my door claiming to be the police, I would ask for his warrant card. He is in a position of authority and needs to prove that he has the right to insist I go with him. The purpose of his I'd is not to prove he is who he says he is, but that he has authority over me.
Without this I would tell him to fuck off.

If I was employing a babysitter for my dc, it would be someone who I'd met, been happy and comfortable with, who had met my dc with me and was someone they were comfortable with. Probably someone who I either knew or who had been recommended by someone I know. There would be no need to check their ID for this.

Potaytocrisps · 19/04/2023 00:17

KnittingNeedles · 17/04/2023 09:40

Just apply for a provisional driving licence.

Government issued photo ID is required because it makes it harder to commit fraud. Anyone could take your birth certificate and pretend to be you. Harder to do that when there's a photo. Don't waste your money on a Citizen Card or one of the other PASS cards or similar, those are not "trusted government documents" for the purposes of things like DBS checks.

In Northern Ireland a provisional licence is £62.50 (compared to £34 in the rest of the UK). It's not exactly cheap as a form of ID if a person isn't going to be using it.

It would be good if citizen cards were more widely accepted.

RampantIvy · 19/04/2023 06:25

It would be good if citizen cards were more widely accepted.

I agree. A lot of students get them, only to find that most bars and clubs won't accept them.

ThankmelaterOkay · 19/04/2023 06:39

Chowtime · 17/04/2023 09:33

Yes a lot of people just get a provisional driving licence I think.

It's logical that people want to see photo ID because ID with no photo could belong to anyone really if you think about it.

Give me the stats on voter fraud.

Wait, I’ll tell you, IT’S FUCK ALL.

This is purely a way of disenfranchising young people. If you can’t admit that you are very dim.

Comedycook · 19/04/2023 06:42

ThankmelaterOkay · 19/04/2023 06:39

Give me the stats on voter fraud.

Wait, I’ll tell you, IT’S FUCK ALL.

This is purely a way of disenfranchising young people. If you can’t admit that you are very dim.

Show quote history

I heard an expert on the radio a while ago who basically described how it's virtually impossible to commit voter fraud in any meaningful way as to fix the results. As in going into a polling booth and pretending to be someone else... bringing in photo id is fixing a problem which doesn't exist. It's absolutely outrageous and I'm surprised more people aren't up in arms about it.

Pottedpalm · 19/04/2023 06:47

Some time back I was unable to hire a carpet cleaner from B&Q as I could not show utility bills ( paper) in my name. DH had to do it.

taxguru · 19/04/2023 07:24

Pottedpalm · 19/04/2023 06:47

Some time back I was unable to hire a carpet cleaner from B&Q as I could not show utility bills ( paper) in my name. DH had to do it.

It would be good to get all utility bills in joint names for several reasons really, especially so you could deal with them if anything happens to your DH, likewise having a joint bank account even if you have your own separate accounts.

Laughingravy · 20/04/2023 13:25

I opposed the introduction of an official ID card because it wasn't to be like the Citizen Card is now. It was to have lots of much more personal info on it in a chip. It would have cost billions and each and everyone of us would have to have paid to get one.

It is about time we all had something like the citizen card but that ID card wasn't it. A few years ago I was unemployed and at the time didn't have a photo ID of any sort, so employers wouldn't touch me but the Job Centre didn't see that as an issue and wouldn't fund either a change of driving licence or getting a passport.

As for ID now most companies - employment and travel especially - will have a policy of only accepting photo ID even though last time I checked the Govt list doesn't insist on a photo. These companies are just covering their arses. I still have a paper driving licence, which can be funny when I'm asked for it and some twenty something looks at it like I got it in a Christmas cracker.

I did just have a look at getting a Citizens Card as it would be simpler than having to have my passport with me but you have to get the right sort of professions to countersign the application and though I know a few people who fit the criteria all of them have been advised by either their employer or federation not to sign them....

Emigratingimmigrant · 20/04/2023 13:39

The chip in ID wouldn't really have more info than modern passport... Afaik it's the same NFC chip with same or very similar info. The NFC chip just helps to transfer infor (which is printed on the card anyway) and check for duplicate cards (in case of fraud). It also works as verification into online gov accounts etc.

If someone is happy to have passport or DL I am not sure what the issue is with ID...