Verifying a person’s identity is necessary in a multitude of sectors to avoid fraud and impersonation.
The European CNI / CNI biométrique / CNI électronique came into being in 2021 and is gradually replacing the 1995 version of the French identity card. So how do you check a European biometric identity card and make sure that the document presented is genuine?
Find out in this article!
We also have an article on the 1995 version of the identity card, which you can find at this address.
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Check 1: general appearance of the European biometric identity card
Pay attention to the level and around the photo in particular.
The new European biometric identity card is in ID-1 format, the size of a bank card, like a driving licence, for example.
Control 2: read, cross-reference and verify the numbers and information on the European biometric identity card
Document number
Both must be identical:
Date of birth
Last name and first name(s)
Type of owner
This information can be found on the front and in the second line of the MRZ strip:
Card expiry date
Control 3: MRZ (Machine Readable Zone) or ZLA (Zone de Lecture Automatique) tape
The lower part of the new CNI is made up of three lines which repeat the information on the card, with validation keys to prevent misreading or falsification.
You can find a comprehensive article detailing the information present, and how the security keys used to verify a European biometric ID card are calculated, in our article available at this address.
Control 4: safety features
An identity document has a number of features that validate its authenticity.
This is the last and longest step in verifying a European biometric identity card online.
In the case of the 2021 version of the ID card, there are 6 in all, 4 of which can be checked with the naked eye.
Secure bottom
The first security feature that can be checked quickly and visually: the security background is extended into the transparent edge of the card, making the whole coherent:
Holographic device
A new-generation holographic device is used to protect the cardholder’s photograph.
It changes color according to orientation:
Visible electronic stamp / 2D-Doc barcode
A new security feature that is used on other official documents (such as income tax returns), a visible electronic stamp (CEV) or 2D-Doc code is used to encode the information on the card, making it possible to verify a European biometric identity card online by cross-referencing the information with that on the card.
It appears on the back, top right:
Electronic chip
An electronic chip is implanted in the card, enabling contactless reading of the information on the document.
A Marianne and three “RF” are engraved on it.
Once again, it is possible to check a European biometric identity card online, by cross-referencing the information on the card or the CEV / 2D-Doc barcode.
It can be found just below the CEV / 2D-Doc code:
Multiple Laser Image
The photo and expiry date of the document are shown on a map of mainland France.
The image changes according to the orientation of the map.
The device is shown on the reverse side, top right of the card:
Ultraviolet control
Some elements are only visible under ultraviolet light, but this requires specialized equipment (so not suitable for checking a European biometric ID card online).
Front of card under ultraviolet light :
Back of card under ultraviolet light :
Conclusion
You now have all the information you need to check a European biometric identity card online and make sure it’s genuine!
There’s no need for specialized equipment: just a little vigilance and time, and you’ll be able to avoid most of the frauds you encounter on a daily basis!
