ID Tech

Mobile ID

Mobile ID uses smartphones and mobile wallets to store, present, and verify digital credentials such as mobile driver's licenses, national IDs, or reusable identity attributes.

Mobile ID solutions enable users to enroll, store, present, and authenticate identity credentials using mobile devices. Credentials may be provisioned to secure elements, hardware-backed keystores, SIM-based identity infrastructure, or wallet ecosystems. Device biometrics and PINs are commonly used to unlock the credential, while relying parties verify cryptographic signatures, issuer trust, and requested attributes.

Recent deployments show mobile ID moving beyond government apps into consumer and travel platforms. Wallet-based identity checks in Uber workflows and TSA PreCheck Touchless ID point to a market in which mobile IDs become a general-purpose verification rail for age, eligibility, account trust, access control, and travel.

References

Vendors using Mobile ID

Thales GroupSignicatHopaeWSO2

Latest Data Cards

  • Data Card

    Australia to let people switch off their own identity documents

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    Australia announced IDLock, a myGov feature letting citizens block and unblock their own passports and driver licences against verification requests.

    • Holders can block and unblock credentials through myGov.
    • The underlying Credential Protection Register has blocked more than 830,000 fraudulent verification attempts since 2022.
    • Testing begins later in 2026 with national deployment planned for 2027.
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  • Data Card

    Arizona launches first US digital birth credential with LexisNexis Risk Solutions

    2026-08-26CC-BY-4.0verifiable-credentialsmobile-id

    Arizona deployed what is described as the first US digital birth credential, delivered with LexisNexis Risk Solutions and usable in Motor Vehicle Division transactions.

    • The credential operates through the LexisNexis VitalChek vital records platform.
    • It was deployed with the Arizona Department of Health Services and Department of Transportation.
    • A pilot began at three Motor Vehicle Division locations in November 2025 and expanded statewide by June 2026.
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  • Data Card

    North Carolina sets December launch for NC Wallet mobile ID

    2026-08-19CC-BY-4.0mobile-idfacial-recognition

    The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles detailed a December 2026 launch for its NC Wallet mobile driver's licence, with third-party wallet support following in early 2027.

    • Enrollment requires scanning the physical credential and completing a selfie verification.
    • Holders approve each release of information, and can share limited attributes such as age rather than full details.
    • The credential will be accepted at more than 250 TSA checkpoints and at NCDMV offices.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mobile ID?
Mobile ID refers to digital identity credentials stored or presented through smartphones, enabling identity, age, eligibility, or account verification in online and in-person services.
How are Mobile IDs secured on the device?
Credentials are stored in secure elements like SIM cards or hardware-backed keystores, protected by device-level authentication such as PIN, fingerprint, or face unlock.
What are common applications for Mobile ID?
Mobile ID is used for e-government services, mobile banking, age-gated commerce, travel, gig-economy onboarding, benefits verification, and secure enterprise access.
How do mDLs relate to Mobile ID?
mDLs are a standardized form of Mobile ID for driver’s licenses (ISO/IEC 18013-5), enabling local verification and selective disclosure via mobile devices.