Proof of ID.

[auzzie]

My son recently went for a job where security was paramount. The only proof of ID they were interested in were Passport or driving licence. He does not have either of these. They suggested a birth certificate and utility bill. He lives at home so does not have any utility bills and only has a savings account. (with no money in it!!) His birth certificate was the long type which shows that he was adopted. I am his biological mother and both my husband and i had to adopt him in order for my husband to be his "dad". They would not accept this without the birth certificate he was given when i registered his birth. This was given up on adoption. Why isn't his birth certificate accepted as a legal document? By the way he has now applied for a passport even though he has no intention of going abroad for a good many years!

[Ethel]

A birth certificate is not acceptable because literally anybody can obtain another person's birth certificate.

You can even buy it online - you will be asked the reason, but you can put anything.

A passport is acceptable because it at least has a photo on it.

[MrBen5]

Hmmm, even though he has no intention at the moment of going away, a passport is a very handy thing to have for ID in all other circumstances too...

[scoobydooby]

Mmmm - I was going to ask something similar on here. A member of my family works for a fairly large company and does the hiring for that part of the country. For security reasons, as above, Passports or FULL Birth Certificates are requested. On one occasion, as the potential employee had no passport, he had to apply for a copy of a full Birth Certificate. Anyway, to cut a long story short, it turns out this guy found out something that he'd never previously known which could have ruined his life! My family member was devastated that they'd put this person in such a position and wants to know 'surely, there must be something else the government can come up with to ensure people are working legally?' Incidentally, this guy only had a week in which to accept the job!

[MrBen5]

I understand peoples frustrations, but everyone should know that they need some form of recognised ID. I know that you shouldnt need it for your own country's citizens, but Its also a lot of company's policies now. There is an ID card system which the government is doing, but this wont be for many years yet.

[beejaybee]

I`m in eaxctly the same position. All utility bills are in my husbands name. I don`t drive nor do I have a passport. I`m middleaged & have no desire to go abroad. What can I do to have proof of ID ????

[ummmm]

Get a passport....doesn't mean you have to go abroad but it's id

[auzzie]

Thanks everybody. Every document can be forged anyway. Do people or potential employers check them out? Would they know if they were legal documents? I worked for a company that employed Kosovan's, i followed the guideline from the government on photocopying all documents that were required. They employed one for 6 months before he did a runner as he was due to be deported. How do you ever know? The system obviously does not work. Stroll on ID cards, i have no problem with that. Although, how easy would it be to forge one of those? Iris recognition or finger prints seem pretty reliable i hear!