GERMAN ID CARD
Description
Security features for German ID cards
1+14. Multicoloured guilloches.
Guilloches are security patterns that are made up of fine, interlaced lines. In reproductions, the line structures of the original are resolved into dotted screen structures. The central motif of the guilloche lines depicts the German eagle on the front and the Brandenburg Gate on the back of the card.
2+15. Microlettering.
The positive and negative microtext “BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND“ is integrated into the security background printing.
3+16. UV overprint. The guilloche design luminesces in various colours under UV light. A UV overprint is additionally included on the front depicting the German eagle and endless text “BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND“.
4 Optically variable inks. When the card is tilted, the headline “BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND“ changes from green to blue depending on the viewing angle.
5. Holographic portrait. The portrait becomes visible as a holographic image on the right side of the conventional photograph when viewed at a flat angle. Four eagle designs are incorporated into the secondary portrait. 6. 3D eagle. Depending on the angle at which the card is viewed, a 3D image of the German eagle appears in red on top of the six-digit card access number.
7. Kinematic structures. Kinematic structures are arranged above the conventional photograph and show a German eagle surrounded by twelve stars. When the card is tilted, the motif changes from the eagle to a hexagonal structure and then to the letter “D“. In addition, the hexagons move up and down while the stars change in size.
8 Macrolettering. On the left edge of the conventional photograph a curved band of macrolettering “BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND“ appears in the hologram. Several parallel lines of microlettering with the same text connect with the macrolettering.
9 Contrast reversal. When the card is tilted, the contrast of the kinematic eagle motif is reversed. The bright eagle then appears dark on a bright hexagon.
10 Machine-verifiable structure. The Identigram® features a structure that enables in addition to a visual inspection an automated authenticity check of the ID card. This structure does not contain any personal or document-related data.
11 Colour integration technology (InnoSec®FUSION). The colour photograph is securely integrated into the card material via the InnoSec®FUSION personalisation system. The same technology is also used for the alpha-numeric serial number (OCR-B font).
12+20 Laser engraving. All the personalisation data (except for the photograph and the serial number) is laser-engraved in high contrast into the inner card layers.
13 Tactile features. The expiry date and the six-digit card access number on the front of the ID card are laser-engraved and tactile.
14. see 1
15. see 2
16. see 3
17 Logo of the ID card. The logo is depicted on the back of the card. Beginning November 2010, this logo also identifies applications and reader devices which support the new ID card.
18 Fluorescent fibres. Transparent fluorescent fibres are integrated into the layers on the back of the card. They are randomly distributed and luminescent under UV light.
19 Surface embossing. Security-embossed microlettering and a map of Germany on the back of the card provide the document with a relieftype, tactile surface in the upper left-hand part of the card.
21 Changeable Laser Image. Depending on the viewing angle, the date of expiry or the portrait of the holder becomes visible in the Changeable Laser Image (CLI).
22 Machine-readable zone. The machine-readable zone on the back of the card includes the document type, issuing country, serial number, date of birth, expiry date, nationality along with the name and check digits in machine-readable format (OCR-B).
23 Personalised security thread. A horizontal, machine-verifiable security thread is embedded into the back of the card. This thread is personalised with the document number and the name of the ID card holder. Later changes in address will be indicated on a label that can be protected by a transparent foil. The security paper used for the label is printed with a guilloche design in two colours and includes special fibres that are luminescent in various colours under UV light. In addition to the new address, the label will also contain the serial number of the ID card and the seal of the respective authority.
Just like German passports, German identity cards are valid for ten years (six years if the holder is under 24 on the date of issue)