Are Physical ID Documents Going Away?
With the rise of digital identity systems, mobile driver’s licenses, and biometric identity authentication, it’s tempting to think physical IDs are becoming obsolete. But despite progress being made in the digital world, physical documents remain deeply embedded in global infrastructure, and their role is far from over.
What People Think
During the 2025 Identity Week Europe conference in Amsterdam, our booth featured an interactive backdrop that invited attendees to reflect on the future of identity. One of the key questions posed was: “Can you imagine that physical IDs are disappearing completely in the near future?”
Visitors were encouraged to respond by placing a sticker under one of three options:
- Yes – digital ID is going to replace physical ones.
- No – physical ID is going to stay.
- Somewhere in the middle.
Interestingly, 68% of participants expressed their belief that physical IDs are here to stay, while 29% believe digital IDs will take over. Just 3% found themselves somewhere in the middle, suggesting a nuanced perspective. These results inspired us to write this article.
Digital Identity and Its Role
Governments and industries are rapidly exploring digital identity solutions. Digital IDs stored on smartphones offer portability, convenience, and the potential to streamline everything from airport security to online banking. Several countries are already rolling out digital driver’s licenses and passports. Some examples are Estonia Mobile-ID, Indian Aadhar, and Nigeria National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). In the European Union, a large-scale initiative is underway to test interoperable digital identity wallets.
In the private sector, digital ID has been used for services such as banking, insurance, and property rentals. This should not be confused with digital onboarding, which involves capturing images of physical ID documents using a mobile phone for verification. While less accurate than traditional in-person checks or dedicated document scanners, mobile onboarding remains one of the most popular verification methods today, but its heavy reliance on the physical document reinforces the fact that, even with modern identity verification (IDV), the document itself is here to stay.
In the United States, several jurisdictions (states and territories) now offer mobile driver’s licenses. State-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards are the de facto form of ID used within the country since there is no national ID card, and not all Americans have passports. However, these digital IDs are not universally accepted across U.S. jurisdictions, nor are they accepted by all in-jurisdiction law enforcement agencies, retail establishments, or even at TSA checkpoints in all U.S. airports.
It’s important to note that, even when digital ID documents are presented, holders must often carry the corresponding physical document as backup proof of identity.
What’s Holding a Full Replacement of Digital ID Back?
Despite momentum, fully replacing physical ID documents with digital versions presents challenges:
1. Infrastructure Gaps
Reliable internet, secure servers, and modern devices are prerequisites for digital identity systems. Many countries, especially in rural or developing areas, lack the infrastructure to support them, making physical documents the default method for identification.
2. Lack of Global Standards
Cross-border acceptance of digital identity remains limited. While efforts like the ICAO’s digital travel credential and ISO standards for digital driving licenses are underway, true global interoperability is years away.
As Tony Poole, President of Document Security Alliance, explains, “Looking forward, the development of global standards that encompass both physical and digital identity security will be crucial. Such standards must address the need for highly secure technologies in physical documents, while also ensuring that digital identities are not only interoperable with their physical counterparts, but also resilient against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.”
3. Privacy and Security Risks
Digital systems can be vulnerable to data breaches, identity theft, and unauthorized access. Establishing robust cybersecurity and privacy protections is essential, as “the rapid adoption of digital-only solutions without comprehensive security measures presents significant risks”, Mr. Poole also added.
4. Legal and Regulatory Lag
Most countries still don’t have comprehensive legislation governing the use of digital IDs. Without clear legal frameworks, digital identities can’t function as universally accepted credentials.
5. Accessibility Challenges
Requiring a smartphone for identification excludes segments of the population, including the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and those without access to modern technology. Thus, physical ID documents remain useful for inclusion.
6. Geopolitical Division and Barriers
“Geopolitical tension and differing national priorities slow the adoption of universal digital IDs,” says Phil Hodge, Senior Document Expert at Keesing Technologies. “Some countries,” he explains, “may resist interoperable systems due to sovereignty concerns, data localisation laws, or distrust in cross-border data sharing. For example, the EU’s digital identity wallet may not be recognised by nations with strained diplomatic relations. Without international cooperation, a fully digital, globally accepted identity system remains unlikely.”
Travel, Borders, and Domestic Services
Even as digital passports are piloted and tested, physical passports remain mandatory for most international travel. In most cases, border control still relies on physical documents, often supplemented, but not replaced, by digital technology like facial recognition.
In contrast, domestic use of digital ID is expanding. Services like driver’s license renewals, visa applications, and some online banking now use digital verification, reducing the need for physical documents in everyday life.
Conclusion: A Hybrid Future
While digital identity systems are evolving rapidly, complete reliance is unlikely in the foreseeable future. Challenges in infrastructure, regulation, interoperability, and equity mean physical documents still play a critical role, especially in travel, border security, and in regions with limited digital access.
For the foreseeable future, we’re looking at a hybrid model: physical IDs remain foundational, while digital verification expands where it’s practical, secure, and inclusive. Keesing’s solutions are built for this reality: AuthentiScan automatically verifies scanned or photographed identity documents, while DocumentChecker provides a global reference database for validating ID documents from over 200 issuing countries and authorities. Contact us to learn how we can support your identity verification needs with trusted, secure solutions.
