Is it required by law to carry some identification on you at all times? Can you be ticketed otherwise?

Question

I am wondering if it is required by law to carry some sort of identification on you at all times. Even when you're not driving. Can you for example be ticketed for not carrying identification in case you were ever questioned by a police officer for any reason?

I am personally from Ontario, Canada so would love to know the rule in my own province. But post answers describing your own state (US) / province (Canada). I would like to know.

I am wondering if it is required by law to carry some sort of identification on you at all times. Even when you're not driving. Can you for example be ticketed for not carrying identification in case you were ever questioned by a police officer for any reason?
My main point is if you can be fined/ticketed for just not being able to prove your identity at that point of time when you are being questioned. I mean, I can always go get my ID from home or prove it at a later point of time in case something serious were to happen. But does that still earn me a ticket? (I ask cos a lot of times I go out without carrying anything on me, just some cash)

I am personally from Ontario, Canada so would love to know the rule in my own province. But post answers describing your own state (US) / province (Canada). I would like to know.

I'm sorry while adding the second set of details, I thought the first one would be deleted. I'm new here! But great answers so far. I didn't expect to get so many answers in under 5 minutes of posting the question. Thanks team. Ane keep pouring in any new answers.

Answer 1

In the United States, you do not have to have any I.D. on you
by default, although as you point out there are certain things that
do require you to have I.D. such as driving, entering a military
base, entering a court of law, pretty much any secure area, etc.

It will probably be awhile before US Citizens are required to carry
I.D., even with the current groundswell against illegal immigrants.
There are too many references to "big brother" in our literature
and the ACLU is pretty dead set against it.

Moreover, would that mean you have to carry ID when you
are swimming? How about in your own home?

We're not there yet. When we do get there, it will probably be
in the form of something like an RFID, perhaps an embedded
chip.

By the way, this includes Pennsylvania and California.

Yes, given probable cause, a law officer can stop you and
ask for proof of your identify, but you have committed no
crime by not having any ... unless you are driving, or are in
a secured area, etc.

That is ... he can ask - but, like refusing a breathylizer test,
you aren't violating the law, per se. You may, however, be
adding to the venom against you if you appear to have ID and
refuse to produce it.

Moreover, if an officer believes that he has probable cause
for requiring your identity (e.g. he thinks you look like someone
he saw on a wanted poster), he may detain you until you can
get some sort of positive identification. That does not mean,
however, that you must have ID on you at all times.

If you look like Osama Bin Laden, however, I recommend that
you carry around a ton of identity with you, or you're going
to spend a lot of time hanging out in the back of cruisers ...

I am not saying that people shouldn't carry ID. There are
too many circumstances where it is a good idea and very
very few where it is a bad idea. Never-the-less, unless you're
talking about the aforementioned exceptions, it is not required
in the United States.

Answer 2

By law, in the U.S., you cannot be cited or arrested for not being in possesion of identification, but we (I reference the law enforcement community) can detain anyone until positive fingerprint identification from the FBI and NCIC can be obtained, regardless if you are being charged or investigated for anything. It is a very good idea, even in Canada, to pay the small fee for an identification card, since, in my personal opinion, the world is coming to a "Hitler-like" regime, where identification will be required.

Answer 3

As one from Ontario, no you cannot be fined for not carrying i.d. unless you are behind the wheel which you need your licence on you to prove you are licenced to drive.

The Supreme court of Canada stated that one does not have to prove their identity unless under arrest.

If a cop asked to see your i.d. as you walked down the street you can refuse, police say you look suspicious you have the legal right to see the item with the description on it. Otherwise the police officer would have to arrest you state the charge. If a cop says he / she will arrest you for not showing i.d. tell the officer ok i need the money. Manipulating the law for control a cop cannot do, so make sure you ask to see the item with the discription.

This decision of the Supreme court was about three years ago.

It was under the charter of rights and freedoms that it was argued on, and to force one to bear i.d. is a violation of a right to privacy.

But obviously you need your i.d to deal with government.

Answer 4

LOL .... we can detain people and demand fingerprint ID without RS ..... what a load of BS

Answer 5

I live in Pennsylvania, USA. Yes, it is law here to have some kind of ID on you, even if you aren't driving, but it is rarely, if ever, enforced.

Answer 6

Not where I'm from. What about people who don't have identification? No license? You can get a card, but you have to pay for it and no one has said you have to get one.

Answer 7

Here is California it is required, I think is is in most states. Any member of law enforcement can, at any time and for any reason (or none at all thanks to probable cause) ask any person to show proof of their identity...

Answer 8

why did you post the same question twice? It is a law here in the "states"-most states anyway.

Answer 9

Unless in a VEHICLE you never have to ID youself to a cop...

Answer 10

i dont think so. But its a good idea to.