China ID Card

China Resident Identity Card (中华人民共和国居民身份证) – 2025 Guide

The China Resident Identity Card (Chinese: 居民身份证) is the official national ID issued by the People’s Republic of China to its citizens. It serves as the primary domestic identification document used in daily life, government services, and increasingly in online identity verification (KYC) for financial services, digital platforms, and travel.

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What Is the China ID Card?

Issued by the Ministry of Public Security (公安部), the ID card is mandatory for all Chinese citizens over the age of 16. It is a smart ID card containing biometric and personal data embedded in a chip.

There are two versions:

• Second-generation card (still widely used)
• Third-generation card (2023–present): enhanced with facial biometrics, anti-counterfeit features, and chip upgrades

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Key Features of the Chinese Resident ID Card

• Card format: Credit-card-sized plastic smartcard
• Front side (in Chinese):
  • Full name (姓名)
  • Gender (性别)
  • Ethnicity (民族)
  • Date of birth (出生)
  • Residential address (住址)
  • ID number (公民身份证号码 – 18 digits)
  • Issuing authority (签发机关)
  • Validity period (有效期限)
  • Color photo of the holder
• Back side:
  • National emblem of China
  • “中华人民共和国居民身份证” text
  • Embedded contactless chip (not visible)
  • Anti-counterfeit watermark and security printing

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Validity

• 16 years and older: Valid for 10 or 20 years, or lifetime (after age 46)
• Under 16: Valid for 5 years
• Card must be updated when address, name, or photo changes

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Uses of the China ID Card

The ID card is required for:

• Banking and financial services
• SIM card registration
• Train and domestic air travel
• Real estate and rental agreements
• Medical care and insurance
• Social services and education
• Online KYC for platforms such as:
  • AliPay, WeChat Pay, Binance, Tencent, JD.com, Baidu, Ant Group, etc.

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Using the China ID Card for Digital or KYC Verification

Most digital platforms and international fintech providers now accept China ID cards for user onboarding.

✅ How to verify:

• Upload a clear image of the front side
• Ensure the following fields are visible and legible:
  • Full name
  • ID number (18 digits)
  • Photo and address
  • Expiry date and issuing authority
• Avoid shadows, cropping, or reflective glare

🔒 Some platforms may also request:

• A selfie holding the ID
• A live facial recognition scan
• OCR-readable images for automated validation

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Lost, Expired, or Damaged Card

To replace a China ID card:

• Visit your local Public Security Bureau (公安局)
• Provide household registration book (户口簿) and recent photo
• Fees: ~20–40 RMB
• Processing: 1–3 weeks

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