Wouter van Ooijen <wouter <at> voti.nl> writes:

> 
> > I know that, even though I'm not sure I understand all the 
> > details why this
> > is such a problem in the USA (compared to other countries). 
> > In fact I'm
> > pretty sure I /don't/ understand the details... :)
> 
> Correct me if I am wrong: the USA (and Canada) have no central
> registration of persons. So if someone decides to migrate from wets to
> east he will register himself and hence create his new (localised)
> identity. Identity in the USA is easily created.
> 
> In my country (and I think in most European countries) pereson
> registration is at least somewhat centralised. You can not just appear
> at a registration desk and say 'here I am, I exist'. A new Dutchman can
> only be 'created' at the age of 0.
> 
> Wouter van Ooijen
> 
Yes and no.
There is a central registration - Social Security Office.  All banks and other 
institutions will require social security number as one form of ID.  This 
number is given at age 0, or, for immigrants after application and background 
check.

Local registration in order to obtain driver's license, which is almost 
universal and the only form of ID for non-financial purposes, will require 
proof of address.  This can be a lease contract, proof of ownership of a house, 
or, LOL, a letter addressed to you!  Driver's license office will usually 
require some other form of ID, e.g. birth certificate, passport (which most 
people do not have), social security card.

I would guess that identity is as easily created in other countries as in US.  
Even a centralized database must have some outages, so that it may not be 
possible to check one's identity in real time.

Sergey Dryga




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