U.S. Legal Credentials Part I
Passports
A United States passport is a document issued by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to individuals who have been granted citizenship by birth, derivation, or naturalization. The primary purpose of a passport is to allow travel to and from foreign countries by establishing citizenship and acting as a vehicle, to display any visas and/or entry/exit stamps that may be necessary.
Passports may also be used within the U.S. to establish citizenship, identity and employment eligibility.
Several different versions of the passport are currently valid and in circulation. Older versions remain valid until their expiration dates.
The previous generation of passport was the electronic passport, E-PASSPORT, first issued in 2006, it has as a novelty an electronic chip inside the cover. This version can be identified by the chip symbol on the cover. E-PASSPORT was issued until October 2021.
New Generation Passport
The new passport is a modernized document that began to be issued on October 1, 2021. Although previous passports are still secure, the Next Generation passport uses new technologies that result in a more robust document with more advanced security features, such as a polycarbonate data page, laser-engraved personalization, and new images. These security features help to protect your identity, make it difficult to falsify or alter, and expedite the entry and exit process.
These passports are more secure than previous passports and have a number of new features, including:
- A polycarbonate data page, which is more difficult to falsify than the paper data page of previous passports.
- A hologram that shows the image of a bald eagle.
- A latent image that shows the image of a bald eagle and the country’s name.
- Fluorescent ink that shows the country’s name and passport number under ultraviolet light.
- A security thread that shows the country’s name and passport number.
- New generation passports are valid for 10 years, the same as previous passports.
Note: All current passports remain valid until their expiration date.
The Next Generation passport has a Quick Response (QR) code on the back of the passport books to provide access to important passport and travel information. The sticker can be removed. The QR code is identical on all passport books, does not contain any personal identifying information, nor does it change the way border officials, airlines, and others review your document.
Differences between the Next Generation passport and the e-passport
The most visible changes to the new passport book are:
- The polycarbonate data page
- The location of the annotation page (now on page 3)
- The visa pages have also been updated with line art and color inks featuring images of American architecture, history, culture, landscapes, and traditions.
The regular size of the Next Generation passport is 26 pages. If you frequently travel internationally and need more visa pages, you can choose the larger 50-page passport book when you apply. The e-passport (previous) has 28 pages in the regular-size book and 52 pages in the larger book.
Emergency Passport
The emergency passport booklet looks similar to the E-Passport, but it does not contain a chip and is only issued for a limited time, which is no longer than one year.
United States emergency passports have several security features that make them more difficult to forge, including:
- A latent image of the Statue of Liberty is visible when the passport is held up to the light.
- A hologram of the Statue of Liberty is visible when the passport is moved.
- Microprinting that is visible only under a magnifying glass.
- A security thread that is visible when the passport is moved.
- Fluorescent ink that is visible under ultraviolet light.
- If you are not sure if an emergency passport is valid, you can contact the United States Department of State for more information.
Service Passport
Since October 2016, gray Service Passports are issued on a limited basis to non-personnel services (3rd party) contractors to support the US government, then a regular passport cannot be used.
The program is currently on hold until the summer of 2023. This means that no new applications for Service Passport status will be accepted during this time.
Travel Document
- New Re-entry permit:
- Old Re-entry permit:
Unlike a Reentry Permit, an Advance Parole Document is printed on a standard, letter-size piece of paper. Immigration officials may refer to it as Form I-512L, Authorization for Parole of an Alien into the United States.
Passport Card
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) began issuing a new passport card in 2008 to facilitate travel to the U.S. territory by land and sea from Canada, Mexico and much of the Caribbean. The card provides proof of identity and citizenship.
A modified version of the card was released in 2010. The most notable difference is the addition of a secondary image of the card holder on the front of the card.
Both versions of the card contain laser-engraved biographic data, some of which is discernible by touch. Other features include a tactile eagle design, an optically variable device near the bearer’s primary image, and color changing ink on the reverse side of the card.
Permanent Resident Card
Is an immigration document that was first introduced in 1946. It is issued to aliens granted permanent resident status. The term «green card» came to be used because the original Resident Alien card was green in color.
NOTE: The 1946 (green card) and 1989 Resident Alien card versions of the I-551 are no longer valid as a form of identification nor acceptable as evidence of permanent residence.
Resident Alien and Permanent Resident Cards Features
1977: Security features: Laminate, Overlapping feature-salmon colored wavy lines on the full face of the card except the blue header, DOJ seal and fingerprint box.
1997: Security and encoding features: MRZ, OVF on front, Optical memory strip.
2004: Security and encoding features: MRZ, OVF on front, Optical memory strip.
2010: Included new features: Gold to green color shifting ink, RFID, tactile laser personalization, infogram – holographic OVD, laser engraved fingerprint, unique and complex background, micro-images of state flags, laser engraved personalization, optical memory strip, micro-images of U.S. presidents.
2017: A redesigned Permanent Resident Card was released on May 1, 2017. It will be issued concurrently with the most recent prior version until stock is depleted. All previous versions of the I-551 remain valid until their expiration dates.
2023: A redesigned Permanent Resident Cards On Jan. 30, new designs for tamper-resistant Form I-551, Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards), and Form I-766.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began issuing redesigned cards on January 30, 2023. To reduce the risk of fraud and counterfeiting, USCIS redesigns tamper-resistant Form I-551, Permanent Resident Cards (PRC) (also known as Green Cards) every three to five years.
In addition, some older Permanent Resident Cards do not have an expiration date. These older Permanent Resident Cards without an expiration date remain valid. The introduction of new card designs does not mean that previously issued cards are invalid.
The new Permanent Resident Cards Card designs include:
- Cutting-edge technology that continues to safeguard national security and improve service to our customers.
- Updated illustrations of the Statue of Liberty on Green Cards and the eagle on EADs.
- New tactile printing that better integrates with the artwork.
- Enhanced optically variable ink and new highly secure holographic images on the front and back of the cards.
- A new layer-reveal feature with a partial window in the rear photo box; and
- Data fields are displayed in different locations than in previous versions.
Differences with previous cards:
- Updated illustration of the Statue of Liberty.
- Data fields are displayed in different locations.
- The cardholder’s fingerprint is no longer displayed on the front.
- It has a new tactile print.
- New high-security holographic images on the front and back.
- New layer-reveal feature with a partial window in the rear photo box.
- Enhanced optically variable ink.
I-551 ADIT Stamp
The ADIT Stamp was introduced in August 2005. Is usually placed in the foreign passport of a legal permanent resident to prove legal presence until his/her Permanent Resident Card is received.
2014 ADIT stamp version:
On July 1, 2014, USCIS retired the red ink used with ADIT stamps and began using a new blue security ink. The ink fluoresces lime green when viewed under UV light. The blue security ink is also used on these stamps:
1. Initial/Replacement I-94
2. DHS Parole
3. Section 207 (Refugee)
4. Section 208 (Asylum).
Employment Authorization Card
The employment authorization card (Form I-766) is issued to foreign nationals who have been granted permission to work in the U.S. for a specified period of time.
USCIS has made several changes to the original card issued in 1989. In the current card, the reverse side features three lines of machine-readable encoding instead of a two-dimensional bar code. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced new designs for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).
USCIS began issuing the redesigned cards on January 30, 2023.
The introduction of new card designs does not mean that previously issued cards are invalid. The cards remain valid until their expiration date. The new Green Card and EAD designs include:
- State-of-the-art technology that continues to safeguard national security and improve service for our customers.
- Updated illustrations of the Statue of Liberty on Green Cards and the eagle on EADs.
- New tactile printing that integrates better with the artwork.
- Enhanced optically variable ink and new highly secure holographic images on the front and back of the cards.
- A new layered reveal feature with a partial window in the back photo box; and
- Data fields are displayed in different locations than in previous versions.
- We hope these new designs are more secure and easier to use for our customers.
Birth Certificates
A Birth Certificate is a vital document issued to U.S. citizens that allows them to apply for various benefits and ID documents. If your certificate is lost, misplaced, damaged, or destroyed, you must apply for a birth certificate replacement.
This type of fraud is one of the most prevalent in the United States, as thousands of foreign nationals seeking to stay in the country, they opt to use the identity of American citizens through deceptively acquiring US birth certificates.
In order to ensure greater access to birth certificates, the following recommendations were also made:
- Limit the deployment of important state records online;
- Adopt federal legislation that increases punishment for the fraudulent use of state registration documents;
- Ensure that only the legitimate holder of the record can obtain a valid duplicate form for identification purposes only.
Birth certificates in the United States have several security features that help protect them from counterfeiting. These features include:
- A series of unique identification numbers, such as the birth certificate number and the birth certificate state code.
- A series of unique identifying numbers, such as a birth certificate number and a birth certificate state code.
- An image of the birth registrar’s signature.
- A state watermark.
- A holographic strip.
- A security thread.
- A raised impression.
- Color-shifting ink.
- Special paper that is difficult to counterfeit.
When examining a birth certificate, you should:
- Feel the paper.
- Look for security features INSIDE and ON the paper.
- A birth certificate should include the official seal of the issuing agency.
- Look for the birth number, which is typically located in the upper right-hand corner of the birth certificate. Please note that NOT ALL birth certificates have birth numbers.
- These security features make it very difficult to forge a birth certificate.
- These security features make it very difficult to counterfeit a birth certificate.
There are two versions of birth certificates, the long form version or the short form version. Depending on the reason for the birth certificate application, you will need to choose one or the other. Both versions can be used to establish identity and citizenship, and contain important information about birth, such as names, date, and place.
Also, each state offers a different version of these formats, which is why it is important to understand when presenting an out-of-state birth certificate, which is the required format.
Below are examples of two states that have different birth certificate formats:
2011 Consular Report of Birth Abroad: On January 3, 2011 the Department of State began issuing a redesigned Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA). Multiple copies of this document may be requested at any time. As of December 31, 2010, the Certificate of Report of Birth (CRB) is no longer issued. All previously-issued CRBA and CRB documents are still valid for proof of identity, citizenship and other legal purposes.
American Tribal Native Document
U.S. Citizen Identification Card (Form I-197):
Identification card for use as a Resident Citizen in the United States (Form I-179)
A Native American tribal document is an official tribal or community membership document issued by a Native American Indian tribe, or an Alaska Eskimo or Aleut community, that is recognized by the U.S. federal government. A tribal or community membership document that is issued by a tribe or community that is not recognized by the U.S. federal government is not an acceptable Native American tribal document for Form I-9 purposes. Because federal recognition of tribes and communities can change over time, you should check the Bureau of Indian Affairs website to determine if the tribe or community that issued the tribal or community membership document is federally recognized.
The following documents are not considered Native American tribal documents for Form I-9 purposes and are not acceptable as a List A, List B or List C document:
- A tribal membership document issued by a Canadian First Nation; and
- A Certificate of Indian Status (commonly referred to as an «INAC card») issued by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.
- While individuals who have these documents might qualify for employment authorization under INA section 289 (and, if applicable, 8 CFR 289.2), a tribal membership card issued by a Canadian First Nation, or INAC card issued by the Government of Canada cannot, by itself, establish work authorization.
Green Card for an American Indian Born in Canada I-872
American Indians born in Canada (with at least 50% American Indian blood) CANNOT be denied admission to the United States. However, a record of admission for permanent residence will be created if an American Indian born in Canada wishes to reside permanently in the United States.
If you live outside the United States and are seeking to enter U.S. territory, you must inform the Customs and Border Protection officer that you are an American Indian born in Canada AND provide documentation to support your claim. You must also state the fact that you are seeking to enter to permanently reside in the United States.
If you live in the United States and are an American Indian born in Canada who possesses at least 50% American Indian blood, you may obtain a Permanent Resident Card (green card) by requesting a creation of record.
Card of the Northern Mariana IslandsI-955
Application for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Long-Term Resident Status. The Form I-955 is no longer in effect. It was discontinued in October 2019 and replaced by Form I-797E.
The Northern Mariana Islands Card (NMIC) is no longer valid. It was replaced by the CNMI Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) in 2014. The EDL is a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license that can be used for identification and travel purposes.
Degree
Driver License
Driver license fraud includes the use of another person’s identity, the submission of counterfeit identity documents, and all other activities intended to obtain a driver license or identification card by a person or for a person who is not eligible for issuance of such a document.
What are the challenges in Authenticating DL/IDs?
Authenticating these documents can be challenging because:
- The materials and security features used differ by jurisdiction.
- There are many different versions for each jurisdiction in circulation.
- There is a criminal industry built upon supplying fraudulent DL/IDs.
International Driving Permit
Is a document that translates a country’s driver’s license into 10 languages. This assists officials in foreign countries by interpreting the permit holder’s native driver’s license.
Security Features, Styles and Key Elements
Can be found in and on the base materials of DL/IDs. Many DL/IDs incorporate laminates which may also contain security features. In Security Feature look for:
1. Microprinting
2. Magnetic stripes
3. Bar codes
4. Overlapping features
5. Optically variable features
6. Laser perforations – tiny holes made in specific patterns
7. Tactile features – can be felt
8. Holograms: Change color when viewed from different angles
9. Has a different serial number for each IDP.
These features will vary by jurisdiction and card version. In reference to Plastic & Polymer, carefully examine laminate coverings.
Some legitimate laminates may stop just short of the card’s edge.
Optically variable and overlapping features should be crisp and consistent.
Key Elements
Personal Information: Look for personal information with consistent fonts, styles and spacings.
1. Name and address
2. Date of birth
3. Height and weight
4. Hair and eye colors
5. Issue/expiration date
6. Class of vehicle authorized
7. Country of residence of the holder
8. Photo of the headline.
Number: All jurisdictions and provinces have a driver’s license, ID or client number on the card.
Photo: Most DL/ID cards will include the holder’s image that is:
1. Digitized or laser etched
2. Color or black and white
3. An adhered (attached) photo on older, card-stock styles.
Also look for a lighter, second (ghosted) image and overlapping of other objects or information on the card.
Codes: Are usually printed in the same font as other variable text. These may be found on the front or back of the card.
Seals: Many jurisdictions feature a state seal or logo on their card. The seal may be:
1. An overlapping feature
2. An optically variable feature (OVF).
Data: These are letters or numbers that can identify:
1. The camera
2. Station number
3. Field office location
4. Technician number.
Back of Card
Examining the back of the card is essential. Most current cards feature one or more data encoding features on the reverse side. Look for 1D and 2D barcodes as well as magnetic stripes. These features should be crisp and appear integrated as part of the card’s manufacture.
Vertical Format
Many jurisdictions use a visually-distinct card to identify holders under the age of 21. These cards usually include a label such as «UNDER 21» or «MINOR UNTIL (date)». In a majority of jurisdictions, these DL/IDs are issued in a vertical format.
Enhanced Driver’s Licenses
Which are «dual-purpose» documents. They may be used to re-enter the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean by land or sea only. The EDL verifies both identity and citizenship and is a federally-approved border-crossing document under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
When examining EDL’s look for:
1. «Enhanced» designation
2. Image of U.S. or Canadian flag to denote citizenship
3. Bar codes
4. MRZ
5. Holographic image
6. Security strip that changes color
7. Unique serial number
8. A magnetic stripe that stores the license holder’s personal information.
The EDL also has a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip that stores additional information about the license holder. This chip can be read by special devices to verify the authenticity of the license and to obtain more information about the license holder.
Driver Privilege Cards
A number of jurisdictions have begun to offer a type of driver document to undocumented immigrants or temporary visitors.
The rules for issuance, the name of the document, and acceptable purposes vary by jurisdiction.
Although these documents often appear very similar to conventional driver licenses, they usually bear a distinguishing color, marking and/or text.
However, there are a very small number of jurisdictions that issue an Enhanced Driver License to eligible holders, but a plain license to all others.
Temporary Documents
A number of jurisdictions issue temporary documents, often in paper form, for a variety of reasons and purposes. In many cases, a paper document is issued to the bearer in order to carry out routine activities while he/she awaits manufacture and delivery of the permanent document.
Depending upon the jurisdiction, the driver:
1. May have been allowed to keep his/her «old» expired license
2. May have been allowed to keep his/her «old» license AFTER the DMV altered it (such as with a hole punch)
3. May have been required to surrender his/her old license
4. May be awaiting replacement of a lost original license.
Diplomatic Credentials
These cards are issued by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to diplomatic and consular officers and other foreign government personnel stationed in the U.S., and who are entitled to some degree of diplomatic or consular immunity.
- Card with BLUE border are issued to diplomatic officials and their families. Holders are entitled to full immunity from prosecution and cannot be arrested or detained.
- Cards with GREEN border are issued to embassy administrative and technical staff employees and their families. This card means that the bearer is entitled to full immunity from criminal prosecution and cannot be arrested or detained.
- Cards with RED border are issued to career consular officers. This card means that the bearer is entitled to immunity only for official acts.
Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO)
The MCO is printed on secure paper and issued by the manufacturer at the vehicle’s «birth» and begins its documentation lifecycle. Most jurisdictions require surrender of the MCO upon application for original title.
Vehicle Titles
Tribal Nations Titles
Tribal Nations may also issue original vehicle titles. Like those from jurisdictions, these titles vary among issuers.
A typical example of a Tribal Nation Title is shown here for reference. Look for appropriate information, signatures, secure paper and security features.
Types of Vehicle Documentation fraud:
- Title Washing: Occurs when a new identity for the vehicle is obtained through the removal of branding (such as salvage, rebuilt or junk).
- VIN Cloning or Switching: Is the primary identifying mark for a vehicle and is used in vehicle ownership documentation.
- Odometer Fraud: Is the illegal practice of rolling back odometers to make it appear as if vehicles have lower mileage than they actually do. Odometer fraud occurs when the seller of a vehicle falsely represents the actual mileage of a vehicle to the buyer.
How are VIN numbers used in fraudulent activities?
- The VIN from one vehicle can be replaced with the VIN from an identical vehicle. This allows a vehicle that has a branding history to be passed off as undamaged.
- VINs can be used to fraudulently obtain a new set of keys for a vehicle, thus helping motor vehicle thieves.
- Stolen vehicles can have their VINs altered, making them much harder to trace and identify.
Social Security Card and Number
