We live in an era where the disclosure of our personal data has become a major source of vulnerability. An act as simple as sending a photocopy of one’s identity card significantly increases the risk of identity theft. This type of data leak is the breeding ground for numerous frauds.
A malicious individual can easily retrieve and alter a photocopy of a document to carry out procedures in place of the legitimate holder. Fraudsters exploit this stolen data to take action, often in the banking sector, such as taking out consumer credit using the victim’s identity. The objective is clear: the impersonator acts in the victim’s name, leaving the victim liable for the financial commitments fraudulently taken out.
Identity fraud is now undergoing a radical transformation, driven by generative Artificial Intelligence and the growing industrialisation of criminal networks. Faced with this shift, the time has come to move beyond simple perimeter defence and implement continuous identity governance.
Identity fraud, once confined to the falsification of physical documents, has largely gone digital. New methods, leveraging generative artificial intelligence, now produce hyper-realistic forged documents capable of evading initial human scrutiny. In 2025, national identity cards account for nearly half of all fraudulent documents detected worldwide. This proportion is largely explained by the persistence of less secure paper versions and the ease of reproduction using digital tools.
A Secure Alternative to Sending Identity Documents: France Identite
A Digital Proof of Identity Designed to Strengthen Data Security
It is in this context that France Identite developed the single-use identity certificate, a secure and tamper-proof alternative designed to replace the circulation of identity document photocopies. The France Identite solution aims to give users back control over their personal data and its distribution. This new document replaces identity document photocopies with a secure alternative.
The identity certificate is a PDF-format document, rendered tamper-proof through the use of PAdES technology. It allows users to prove their identity without having to share the full visual of their identity document, while guaranteeing the validity of both the identity and the document. This document is highly secure and is systematically electronically signed by the Ministry of the Interior.
The major innovation lies in the strict limitation of the document’s use. Users disclose only the essential elements of their identity data and must precisely define the scope of the certificate’s use. In practice, the document can only be used within the specific context for which it was generated, as the user is required to specify the recipient, the validity period and, optionally, the purpose of use.
How Is the Identity Certificate Generated?
The certificate is divided into several clearly defined information blocks.
- The first block, known as the Usage block, contains contextual information: the recipient’s name, the document generation date, its expiry date, and, if provided, the purpose of use.
- The second block is the Identity block, which gathers the issuer’s personal data: surname, first name(s), date and place of birth, nationality, and gender. This block is vital, as it incorporates a secure QR Code that allows verification of the certificate’s authenticity directly from the France Identite application.
- Finally, the last block ensures the document’s integrity by displaying the electronic signature of the Ministry of the Interior along with the legal notices.
The generation of this certificate is carried out directly via the France Identite application in several steps that place the user at the centre of the process. After entering the name of the recipient entity and selecting a validity period and optionally a purpose, the user must enter their personal code. This personal code entry is the step that formalises and guarantees the user’s explicit consent to sharing their data. The final step involves performing a contactless reading of their identity card, after which the secure document is ready to be shared or saved.
This solution offers dual benefits: on the one hand, it minimises the identity data transmitted and protects the user against identity theft; on the other hand, it provides recipient services (public authorities or businesses) with a tamper-proof guarantee of the authenticity of the transmitted data, while facilitating data archiving. Furthermore, the authenticity of each single-use identity certificate can be verified through an online verification service.
| Step | Description | Objective |
| START: Initiating the Process | From the France Identite application, click on “Create an identity certificate”. | |
| STEP 1: Recipient | Enter the name of the recipient person or entity (e.g. ABC Estate Agency). | Specify a recipient to limit the use of the document. |
| STEP 2: Duration | Select a validity period for the certificate. | Control the period of use. |
| STEP 3: Purpose (Optional) | Indicate a purpose of use (e.g. Flat rental). | The purpose will appear in the first block of the document. |
| STEP 4: Data Validation | Click “Continue”, then review the data that will appear on the certificate. | Ensure that the user is aware they are disclosing only the essentials. |
| STEP 5: Explicit Consent | Enter your personal code. | Provides the recipient with assurance of the user’s explicit consent. |
| STEP 6: Document Verification | Perform the contactless reading of your identity card. | Guarantee the validity of the identity and the document. |
| STEP 7: The document is generated and ready to be shared or saved. | It is divided into several blocks, including the issuer’s identity data and usage details. It contains an electronic signature from the Ministry of the Interior and a secure QR Code. | The document is tamper-proof and highly secure (PAdES technology). |
An Alternative Solution for All Other Sensitive Documents: Filigrane.beta.gouv.fr
https://filigrane.beta.gouv.fr
Fraudsters do not limit themselves to the fraudulent exploitation of identity cards. Other sensitive documents, such as payslips, proof of address, or insurance certificates, can also be misused to commit various types of fraud.
To prevent these documents from being reused for malicious purposes, a secure solution exists. The online service filigrane.beta.gouv.fr, provided by the French State, offers the ability to easily add a personalised watermark to any document before sending it. This visible marking clearly indicates the intended recipient or purpose, rendering the document unusable in any other context and preventing any attempt at misappropriation or alteration. The tool works directly in the browser, without storing any files, which guarantees data confidentiality and a level of protection far superior to simply sending a raw document.
FAQ: Document Security and Identity Theft Prevention
The Threat of Identity Theft
What is the major risk of sending photocopies of identity documents?
An act as simple as sending a photocopy of one’s identity card significantly increases the risk of identity theft. This type of data leak is the breeding ground for numerous frauds.
How do fraudsters exploit stolen documents?
A malicious individual can easily retrieve and alter a photocopy of a document to carry out procedures in place of the legitimate holder. Fraudsters exploit this stolen data to take action, often in the banking sector, such as taking out consumer credit using the victim’s identity. The impersonator acts in the victim’s name, leaving the victim liable for the financial commitments fraudulently taken out.
How has identity fraud evolved recently?
Identity fraud is undergoing a radical transformation, largely digitised, driven by generative Artificial Intelligence and the growing industrialisation of criminal networks. These new methods enable the production of hyper-realistic forged documents capable of evading initial human scrutiny.
What type of document is most frequently targeted by fraud?
In 2025, national identity cards account for nearly half of all fraudulent documents detected worldwide. This proportion is largely explained by the persistence of less secure paper versions and the ease of reproduction using digital tools.
The France Identite Solution for Identity Documents
What is the Single-Use Identity Certificate from France Identite?
It is a secure and tamper-proof alternative designed to replace the circulation of identity document photocopies. The France Identite solution aims to give users back control over their personal data and its distribution.
What are the security features of this certificate?
The certificate is a PDF-format document, rendered tamper-proof through the use of PAdES technology. It is highly secure and is systematically electronically signed by the Ministry of the Interior. It contains a secure QR Code that allows verification of its authenticity directly from the France Identite application.
How is the use of the certificate controlled to prevent fraudulent reuse?
The major innovation lies in the strict limitation of the document’s use. Users disclose only the essential elements of their identity data and must precisely define the scope of the certificate’s use. The document can only be used within the specific context for which it was generated, as the user is required to specify:
- The recipient.
- The validity period.
- The purpose of use (optional).
What information is displayed on the Identity Certificate?
The certificate is divided into several information blocks:
- The Usage block: It contains contextual information (recipient’s name, generation date, expiry date, and purpose of use).
- The Identity block: It gathers the issuer’s personal data (surname, first name(s), date and place of birth, nationality, and gender).
- The last block: It displays the electronic signature of the Ministry of the Interior along with the legal notices.
What are the steps to generate an Identity Certificate via the France Identite application?
The process is carried out in several steps that place the user at the centre:
- Recipient: Enter the name of the recipient entity.
- Duration: Select a validity period.
- Purpose (Optional): Indicate a purpose of use (if desired).
- Explicit Consent: Enter your personal code, which formalises and guarantees the user’s explicit consent to sharing their data.
- Document Verification: Perform the contactless reading of your identity card to guarantee the validity of the identity and the document. The document is then generated, ready to be shared or saved.
What are the benefits of this solution for users and recipients?
This solution offers dual benefits:
- For users: It minimises the identity data transmitted and protects them against identity theft.
- For recipients (public authorities or businesses): It provides a tamper-proof guarantee of the authenticity of the transmitted data and facilitates archiving. Furthermore, the authenticity of each certificate can be verified through an online verification service.
Filigrane.beta.gouv.fr for Other Sensitive Documents
Does identity fraud only concern identity cards?
No. Fraudsters do not limit themselves to the fraudulent exploitation of identity cards. Other sensitive documents, such as payslips, proof of address, or insurance certificates, can also be misused to commit various types of fraud.
How does Filigrane.beta.gouv.fr help secure these other sensitive documents?
Filigrane.beta.gouv.fr, an online service provided by the French State, offers the ability to easily add a personalised watermark to any document before sending it. This visible marking clearly indicates the intended recipient or purpose, rendering the document unusable in any other context and preventing any attempt at misappropriation or alteration.
Are my files stored when I use Filigrane.beta.gouv.fr?
No. The tool works directly in the browser, without storing any files, which guarantees data confidentiality.
