IDENTITY CARD

In Finland the official identity certificates are a passport and an identity card. A driver’s licence is no longer an acceptable proof of identity because it is only a proof of a right to drive!

Did you know:

• Even a baby and a child needs their own passport.
• The information on the passport needs to be up to date. If you change your name, you can’t travel with a passport with your old name on it. 
• If you no longer can be recognized from your passport photo, you have to renew your passport. This also applies to children. 

A passport and an identity card are both identity certificates and travel documents. A passport can always be used as a travel document, but with an identity card you can only travel to certain countries, for example EU countries. Check the countries from the police website!

An identity card can also be without travel rights. These type of identity cards can be issued to minors and foreigners. 

There is a chip on the identity card which has a citizenship certificate. With the citizenship certificate you can log in to public sector online services.  Henkilökortissa on siru, jossa on kansalaisvarmenne. Kansalaisvarmenteen avulla voit kirjautua julkisen sektorin verkkopalveluihin. A card reader and chip reading software are required for identification (see DVV’s website for more information).

An identity card is slightly more expensive than a passport, but the card is more versatile and easier to carry with you because of its small size. Both are valid for five years. 

An identity card is a document you can prove your identity with in many different situations. An identity card is also an acceptable travel document instead of a passport to certain countries! 

Check out the exact list of countries where you can travel to with an identity card instead of a passport! 

Why is an identity card only valid for 5 years? 

A longer validity period than the current one would weaken the identification of the ID card owner from the passport photo and would jeopardize the chip’s data security and the up-to-dateness of its security features.

The older the photo, the more unreliable both visual and machine facial recognition is.

The biometric identifiers and other personal information of the identity card chip must be secured against misuse. The information security of chip remains at a high level because it is being updated every few years. If the validity period of the card would be longer, like seven or ten years, the information security of the chip could be jeopardized before the identity card would expire. The longer the validity period, the slower the new, more secure models will replace the older models in use. The same goes for physical security factors which prevent forgery itself. 

It is important to be sure that the document presented for identification is legit. Official documents for identification are a passport and an identity card. There are several different but valid versions from both of these documents. The appearance and security factors of passports and identity cards are being updated regularly. The publication of a new passport model does not affect the validity of old passport models. 

You can search Finnish and European travel and identity document models comprehensively from the European Council’s directory of authentic identity and travel documents.

Minor’s identity card without travel rights

A minor can have a normal identity card which can be used as a travel document and for identification in online services. This requires both of the minor’s guardians’ approval.

The other option is a speacial minor’s identity card which can not be used as a travel document and it does not have citizenship certificate for online identification. This will also require both of the guardians’ approval. Both of the cards can be applied online the same way as an adult’s application. The minor’s identity card without travel rights can only be applied from the police, not from the Embassy of Finland abroad.

Temporary identity card

An identity card may also be issued temporarily for a special reason. The conditions for issuing a temporary identity card will be considered carefully and on a case-by-case basis.

A temporary identity card can be issued for example when your identity document has been stolen or lost. In that case, a temporary identity card will generally be issued until you receive a new identity document.

You will get a temporary identity card straight with you from the police and it is valid for max four months. A temporary identity card can not be used as a travel document and it does not have the chip used for online services. It can only be applied from the police, not from the Embassy of Finland abroad.

Foreigner’s identity card

The foreigner’s identity card can be issued to you if you are a foreigner permanently residing in Finland, your permanent home municipality in Finland is marked to the population information system and you have a valid residence permit or a residence card/your right of residence has been registered.

The foreigner’s identity card can be issued for max five years. The card’s validity period can not cross the validity period of the residence permit or the residence card. The identity card issued to a foreigner can not be used as a travel document and it can only be applied from the police, not from the Embassy of Finland abroad.

When applying for a foreigner’s identity card, one must present a valid passport or an identity card. If you don’t have one, you must present a valid residence permit or a residence card. The authority receiving the application will take your fingerprints and compare them with the fingerprints stored on the chip of your residence permit card or residence card to verify your identity.

Identity card without travel rights

The identity card issued to citizen of Finland can in certain conditions be issued also without travel rights. The situations this can happen are due to committing a crime, imprisonment, military service or if you have been banned from travelling or leaving the country.

If the identity card is being issued without travel rights, the applicant’s fingerprints or headshot won’t be saved on card’s chip. The fingerprints taken during the application filling will be deleted from the police register max 30 days after the identity card without travel rights has been issued. 

When applying for an ID card, you do not need a paper passport photo. For example, some photo studios send the passport photo electronically directly to the police. You will receive a photo code immediately via text message, after which you can submit your application either online or in person at a service point. Remember to keep your photo code safe, as your photo can be accessed from the police system using it.

NOTE! If you are applying for a temporary ID card, you will need paper photos. The electronic photo code cannot be used for temporary ID cards.

You can also use a paper photo for your ID card, but in that case, you cannot submit your application online. The police do not recommend using a paper photo, as it must be scanned into a digital format, which takes time and may reduce the photo quality.

However, a temporary ID card requires paper photos.

You also need a paper photo for a driver’s license, moped license, or motorcycle license. An electronic passport photo can be used for these cards only if you have already submitted a passport or ID card application with the same photo and it has been approved. The photo will then automatically be transferred to Traficom. The photo must still be no older than six months. Electronic photo codes or photos sent by email are not accepted.

Most visa applications also require a paper photo.

A photo retrieval code is a seven-character code made up of numbers and letters for an electronic passport photo. You will need the photo retrieval code when submitting your application, both online and at a service point! It ensures that the correct photo is used for your ID card. You will receive the photo retrieval code via text message when the photo is taken.

You can use the photo retrieval code for up to six months for other applications under the police, such as a passport.

You need two paper photos for a driver’s license, moped license, or motorcycle license.

The police electronic photo retrieval code cannot be used for driver’s license applications!

An electronic passport photo can only be used for these licenses if you have already submitted a passport or ID card application with the same photo and it has been approved. The photo will then automatically be transferred to Traficom. The photo must still be no older than six months.

Most visa applications also require a paper photo.

• The face must be fully visible; accessories or hair must not cover the face.

• Eyes must be clearly visible, and the expression should be neutral.

• The mouth must be closed, except for very young babies, where some flexibility is allowed.

• Glasses must not cover the eyes or facial features. It is recommended to remove glasses to avoid shadows, reflections, or distortions.

• Dark glasses or eye patches are allowed only for medical reasons.

• Headwear is allowed only for religious or medical reasons.

• Wigs are permitted only if worn regularly for medical reasons. Wigs must follow the same rules as natural hair and must not cover the face.

• Jewelry and makeup are allowed as long as they do not affect identification. Using powder to reduce facial shine is recommended.

• For the photo, choose a top without a hood, as hoods can appear distracting in the background.