User:Alejitao123/sandbox/ID/National identity cards in the Organization of American States

National identity cards are issued to their citizens by the governments of most Organization of American States (OAS) member states, the exceptions are Canada and United States. United Sates however issues a Passport card which is a valid document in some countries.

Travel document
As an alternative to presenting a Passport, in some countries, due to bilateral agreements, citizens are entitled to use a valid national identity card as a stand-alone travel document to exercise their freedom of movements, such as Mercosur, CA-4 agreement, or CARICOM passport.

Identification document
There are varying rules on domestic usage of identity documents. Some countries demand the usage of the national identity card or a passport. Other countries allow usage of other documents like Driver's licences.
 * Usage in own country

In some countries, e.g. Canada, United States, Mexico and Dominica national identity cards are fully voluntary and not needed by everyone, as identity documents like driving licences are accepted domestically. In these countries only a minority have a national identity card, since a majority have a passport and a driving licence and don't need more identity documents. This is also true for United States where those who have a passport and a driving licence have less need for the passport card.

However, even in those OAS countries that impose a national identity card requirement on their citizens (above certain age), it is generally not required to carry the identity cards at all times.

Some countries allows freedom of movement of its citizens in other countries. As that, with certain condition, they can use it to travel around them. Mercosur and Associated can use them to travel instead of a passport, for example. , as well CARICOM countries, and central American.
 * Usage outside own country

Design and features
The design of the identity cards of the OAS has been changed along time. For example, Colombia, on its Cédula de Ciudadanía has been changing the colors, as well the security measures against counterfeiting. Since May 2015 has added a biometric chip to its Documento de identidad (Previusly Cédula de identidad), except for minors. . Argentina in 2023 has started to issue a new Documento Nacional de Identidad (DNI) with a new biometric chip for everyone.

Overview of national identity cards
Member states issue a variety of national identity cards with differing technical specifications and according to differing issuing procedures. In most member states, cards can be issued abroad through the country's respective consulates.