How to Scan an ID Card with Your Phone — Step-by-Step Guide

To scan an ID card with your phone: place it on a plain, contrasting surface, use even lighting, capture the front and back, crop without cutting off the edges, and save in the format the recipient requests. Check the smallest text before sharing.

Scan both sides into one PDF

Capture the front as page one and the back as page two in a multi-page scan. If the recipient requires both sides on a single sheet, a two-page PDF will not meet that requirement: use their supplied template or layout instructions. Confirm whether they accept a PDF or require separate image files.

Scan an ID on iPhone using Notes

Create a note, tap the attachment control and choose Scan Documents. Capture the front, adjust the crop, then capture the reverse before finishing the scan. Check both pages. Apple also documents scanning directly in Files; see Apple's current scanning instructions.

Scan an ID on Android

Use a document-scanning app that supports multiple pages, such as the PrimeDocu document scanner. Capture each side separately and review the resulting pages before saving. The steps below explain lighting and framing; controls can vary by device.

Check the scan before you upload it

• All four corners are visible and the document is not cropped through text.
• The name, document number and dates are readable when you zoom in.
• Glare does not cover the photo, text or barcode. Retake under softer light rather than applying a filter that changes details.
• The file type, page layout and size match the recipient's instructions.

Why You Need Digital Copies of Your ID Cards

There are several practical reasons to have digital copies of your ID cards readily accessible:

• Online applications: Job applications, rental applications, and membership sign-ups increasingly ask for a copy of photo ID. Having a scan ready saves time.
• Lost wallet: If your wallet is stolen, you can show a digital copy of your driver's licence to confirm your identity while you arrange replacements — and you will know exactly which cards were in the wallet.
• Age verification: Some services accept a digital copy of your driver's licence for age verification.
• Gym and club check-ins: Many gyms accept a membership card barcode displayed on your phone.
• Employer onboarding: Many employers now accept digital copies of identity documents for right-to-work checks during remote onboarding.

What to Scan

These cards are worth having digital copies of:

• Driver's licence — scan both the front and back; the back contains the barcode and machine-readable information.
• Health insurance card — the card number and group number are needed when visiting a new doctor or pharmacy.
• Employee or student ID — useful for remote work and online student discounts.
• Gym or club membership card — if your gym uses a barcode system, a scan on your phone is as good as the physical card.
• Library card — many libraries accept the card number from a photo for online borrowing.
• Professional certification or accreditation cards — useful for proving credentials when applying for roles.
• Loyalty and rewards cards — the barcode number is all you need for most loyalty programmes.

Do not scan: payment cards (debit or credit cards). Never photograph your card number, CVV, or expiry date — this information should never be stored digitally in any form outside a dedicated password manager.

Step-by-Step: Scan an ID Card with PrimeDocu

1. Prepare the surface: Place the card on a flat surface with a contrasting background — a dark card on a white surface or a light card on a dark surface works best. Avoid placing it on a surface with busy patterns.
2. Lighting: Use natural daylight or a well-lit room. Avoid direct flash, which creates glare on laminated cards and makes text unreadable. If your card has a hologram, angle slightly to reduce reflection.
3. Open PrimeDocu and tap Scan: The camera view appears with automatic edge detection overlay.
4. Align and capture: Hold the camera directly above the card. PrimeDocu detects the card edges automatically — when the overlay locks onto the card, tap to capture. Perspective correction is applied automatically, so the result is a flat, square image regardless of angle.
5. Scan the reverse: Flip the card and scan the back side. You can combine both sides into a single two-page PDF — front as page one, back as page two.
6. Name and file: Name the file clearly — for example DriversLicence_JohnSmith_Front.pdf and DriversLicence_JohnSmith_Back.pdf, or a combined DriversLicence_JohnSmith_BothSides.pdf. Save to the Identity folder in your PrimeDocu vault.

Privacy Tips for Sharing ID Scans

Sharing an ID scan creates a copy outside your control. Follow these principles:

• Share only what is required: If an organisation needs only your name and date of birth, do not send your full driver's licence — a cropped or redacted version is better.
• Never share via WhatsApp or regular email for sensitive applications — use a secure sharing method or the specific portal the organisation provides.
• Ask why the ID is needed and confirm you are dealing with a legitimate organisation before sharing any identity document scan.
• Know what you shared and to whom — keep a note of every organisation you have provided an ID scan to, so you can take action quickly if that organisation suffers a breach.

Keep a copy you can find

Give the file a recognizable name and store it in a protected location. Check how to access it before travelling. A scan is a reference copy; confirm whether the recipient requires the original document or a specific digital-ID service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a photo of my driver's licence accepted as ID?

A scan is a reference copy, not a guarantee of accepted identification. Ask the organization requesting ID which originals, scans or approved digital-ID formats it accepts before relying on a phone copy.

Is it safe to store ID card scans on my phone?

Protect your phone with a strong lock, review photo-backup settings and restrict access to stored scans. Encryption can reduce exposure, but downloaded and shared copies need their own protection. Review the storage service's security documentation before uploading identity documents.

What cards should I keep digital copies of?

Good candidates include: driver's licence (both sides), health insurance card, employee or student ID, gym or club membership card, library card, and any professional certification cards. Do not scan payment cards — debit and credit card numbers, CVVs, and expiry dates should never be stored as document scans.