Do we need IDs?

[Mihai]

In Romania and Hungary (I am sure about that) and perhaps in the rest of ex-communist states, every person who is at least 14 years old must have an ID card. In Romania the ID contains : name, date of birth, foto, adress, CNP (Numerical Personal Code - an 12 digits number unic for every romanian).

I know that was a similar thread a time ago, but I have a problem to understand how in same country people manage without an ID. In Romania you need your ID in a lot of situation : when you register in a school/university, when you make a bussines, when you pick up a package from mail, when you sign for a petition.
The part that seems to dislike to those to oppose the IDs - been ckeck by police - isn't happen too often. You have to present your ID together with your drive license on road check or if you wander on the street at night (not that common in Romania). The road police have the right to make random check. I hapend once to me - I presented my ID, drive license, and car talon. The policeman check the papers (actually the plastics ), took a short look at the car and all took only 2 minutes. The policeman was polite and he didn't even carried a gun.

I know that some people say that this is a atentat at liberties, but for me is a (very) small price to pay for security.

[Asher]

We get by with Drivers Licenses. You didn't really need ID for anything under 14 years old (Learners) or 16 (real), and a Birth Certificate and/or Passport usually sufficed.

I'm not opposed to a national ID card system though, as long as it doesn't cost too much.

[Dr. Nick]

In Argentina we have like 4/5 different IDs... bloody government makes you pay hand over fist for them too.

[cia]

In the USA it seems driver's license is needed most of the time, with birth certificate and/or social security (9 digit number) for everything else.

[KrazyHorse]

or if you wander on the street at night

I really don't feel like giving the cops the right to stop me and check my ID because I want to go for a midnight walk.

Right now we have plenty of pieces of ID; it's just that you're not required to show them to the guvmint except in very specific circumstances. For the cops to stop you and compel you to show them some ID requires that you either be driving a car, or that they have probable cause of some kind.

[Bereta_Eder]

we have ID. The police theoretically can ask you for it if they have propable cause. It never happens. (unless you give them the middle finger or something).

[Mihai]

Originally posted by El Awrence
In Argentina we have like 4/5 different IDs... bloody government makes you pay hand over fist for them too.

4-5? Can you exemplify?

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
For the cops to stop you and compel you to show them some ID requires that you either be driving a car, or that they have probable cause of some kind

When you wander on an empty street at 2 AM you are at least suspect - this is the probable cause.

Originally posted by paiktis22
The police theoretically can ask you for it if they have propable cause. It never happens. (unless you give them the middle finger or something).

In this case in Romania they will ask your ID after they arrest you (if there are other people around) or don't ask at all (but you'll get a few stick in the head )

[Asher]

Originally posted by Mihai
When you wander on an empty street at 2 AM you are at least suspect - this is the probable cause.

Hmm.
I sometimes go out at 1, 2, or 3AM for some fresh air. And sometimes to smoke some stuff too. Maybe you're right about the probable cause.

[cia]

Mihai,
Do people steal either your identity card or the number to use for crimes?

[Bereta_Eder]

Originally posted by Mihai
In this case in Romania they will ask your ID after they arrest you (if there are other people around) or don't ask at all (but you'll get a few stick in the head )

Yeah I exagerate. It is generally unadvisable to give the middle finger to the cops.

Unless you are on a march, protest whatever. There it seems to be obligatory to do so (for some people at least - not me )

[The Mad Monk]

There's a couple funny things about Social Security numbers (United States). It's 'officially' only meant for dealing with the government, and only for Social Securtiy and other taxes at that; you are not supposed to be handing it out to anyone. In spite of that, everyone uses the SSN as a sort of universal identification--for everything from credit cards and bank loans to the local video rental place.

The card itself has to be the most easily forged, being only a piece of white unlaminated cardstock with the monochromatic blue SS symbol on it, and your name and SSN printed over that in what appears to be the courier font. In spite of this, its a difficult card to replace if you lose it--you are required to present either your birth certificate, or passport and drivers license; copies won't do, it must be the originals, even if done by mail.

[Mihai]

Originally posted by cia
Mihai,
Do people steal either your identity card or the number to use for crimes?

There is your foto on the ID and usually you have to show it, not just tell the CNP. It isn't like the credit cards in USA, where you can tell the number at the phone.

Unless you are on a march, protest whatever

Yeap. Anyway, for some reason, the romanians protestors don't have that habit.

[Bereta_Eder]

There is a clear issue with ID counterfeiting etc.

In the EU you can travel anywahere you want just with your ID, you don't need a passport. (except for Britain I think because it has not signed the Shengen Treaty).

But since there are so many different ID forms all over Europe it is better to have your passport with you in order not to wait long.

In the near future there will be a unified EU ID. That way there will be no mix up. And they will be very difficult to counterfeit. (because they can be used for traveling all around Europe too)

[cia]

Here in Arizona, USA they either just steal you ID and cut in their own picture, or they can get an ID made at a swap market for $20 dollars.

[Mihai]

Originally posted by cia
Here in Arizona, USA they either just steal you ID and cut in their own picture, or they can get an ID made at a swap market for $20 dollars.

The romanian ID is made completly from plastic - your foto imprimated. I don't know how hard are to conterfit them, but I don't heard of too many cases.