But don`t give them your common access card or military ID card, as copying is illegal. Many military personnel, their families, and Department of Defense employees don`t know it, but photocopying U.S. government identification is a violation of Title 18, U.S. Code Part I, Chapter 33, Section 701. It is recommended that military and Department of Defense travelers present a state driver`s license or other form of photo ID, which can be photocopied if an establishment insists on obtaining a photocopy of the traveler`s ID. Permitted photocopying includes photocopying DoD identification cards to facilitate medical care, cashing checks, voting, tax matters, compliance with Schedule 501 of the United States Code (also known as «The Service member`s Civil Relief Act»), or administering other military benefits for eligible beneficiaries. Has a company ever asked you if they can photocopy your ID? If you`ve rented a hotel, car, or apartment, the answer is probably yes. Recent incidents have been reported regarding photocopying of military identification cards and shared access cards by commercial entities to verify military affiliation in order to provide public rates for services. Photocopying U.S. government identification cards is a violation of Title 18, Part I, Chapter 33, Section 701 of the United States Code and is punishable by a fine and imprisonment.
Photocopied cards can be used for counterfeiting purposes without any real protection against it. Since criminals and terrorists appreciate U.S. government identification when trying to plan actions against the U.S. military, it`s best not to give them that chance. Commercial entities may require you to view your card to verify your military affiliation or provide government rates for services, but they cannot photocopy it. So if they ask, tell them no. Instead, give them a state driver`s license or other form of photo ID. Photocopying of a military ID card for government purposes is excluded.
The day-to-day activities of state and federal agencies are government actions for government purposes. The conduct of government business is lawful and does not violate Title 18, United States Code, Part I, Chapter 33, Section 701. While the military/government identification requirement for commercial entities is perfectly permissible, many government employees are unaware of the prohibition on duplicating government IDs. There are no safeguards in place to ensure that a government ID card is not forged or «cloned» based on a photocopy by a commercial entity. Criminal elements and terrorist organizations present the identification of the U.S. government as a valuable logistical element in planning actions against the U.S. military. The Department of Defense has provided in 79 FR 707 the title: Identity Cards (ID) for Uniformed Service Members, Their Dependents and Other Authorized Persons a non-exhaustive list of exceptions: The applicable law is as follows: Title 18, United States Code, Part I, Chapter 33, Section 701, which states: «However, this ban does not apply to government agencies,» said Robert Krauer, director of emergency services at Aberdeen Proving Ground. «The police can make copies for official purposes. The Act states: «Every person who makes, sells, or possesses a badge, identification card or other insignia of the design prescribed by the head of a department or agency of the United States for the use of an officer or employee of the United States, or an imitation color thereof, or photograph, print or other engraving or executes a photograph, a photograph, photograph, photograph or photograph, photograph, printing or printing in the image of such badge, identity card or other insignia or a coloured imitation thereof, except as authorized by law, is punishable under this Title by a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both. This law does NOT apply to medical facilities such as hospitals and doctors` offices, which are allowed to make a copy for the filing of insurance claims. It also does not apply to other government organizations that use the copied ID to carry out official government business.
Therefore, immigration agencies such as USCIS, NVC, and DOS can legally apply for and use military ID cards.