2.10 The Bureau is required by legislation to check the identity of applicants, process data fairly and to disclose it only to those entitled to see it. Identity checking has effectively been delegated to Registered Bodies, which have been provided with guidance on the forms of identity documentation required16, with few additional checks being done by the Bureau. Currently, the Bureau does not access other government databases (such as that held by the UK Passport Service or the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) except in specific cases of suspected fraud. It does not check that, for example, the name and passport or driving licence number supplied by the applicant match. Original plans for online identity authentication to take place using access to public and private sector databases have not been realised. The legislation under which the Bureau operates is being amended so as to recognise formally the role of Registered Bodies in identity checking, and it is establishing a team to enforce compliance with defined standards. This approach was advocated by the Independent Review Team. The Bureau has no evidence that any cases of false identity have passed through the Bureau's checking.
2.11 Identity checking remains difficult as, for example, not everyone has documents such as passports or driving licences. Databases often hold inaccurate information, for example, the names of deceased persons may not be removed promptly. Adopting the identity of dead children is a known form of identity fraud for example. The Citizen Information Project17 is examining the feasibility of developing a common population register which would hold core data such as name, date of birth, address history and a unique identifier. The Home Office is developing a possible Identity Card Scheme which would be based on a database of rigorously authenticated identities. Databases such as these could help the Bureau in the future as they would provide a means for checking both identities and address histories.
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16 Two categories of documents are used for identification, one of which includes passport, driving licence, and the other documents such as utility bills and credit card statements. All documents must be originals, in the applicant's name and at least one must shown the current address and the date of birth. Registered Bodies must match details on the documentation to the application form.
17 A joint project team led by the Office for National Statistics with the involvement of HM Treasury.