Quick Read · Concepts

How Do Government IDs Become Digital?

Government agencies such as DMVs convert physical IDs into digital credentials by issuing a cryptographically signed digital version of the document directly to a user's digital wallet.

ConceptsIssuancemDLQuick Read
01

Identity Enrollment

The process begins with the government confirming who you are.

The government verifies the person's identity through its standard process, such as a DMV visit or an approved online verification flow. Once confirmed, the authority prepares the digital credential using the same identity data stored in the official record.

02

Digital Credential Issuance

The issuing authority generates a digitally signed credential containing core identity attributes.

The credential contains identity attributes such as name, date of birth, photo, and document number — the same data found on the physical card, wrapped in a cryptographically protected digital format.

Layer
Credential format
Detail
ISO/IEC 18013-5 mobile driver's license (mDL)
Layer
Signature protection
Detail
COSE cryptographic signatures
Layer
Issuer trust
Detail
Government certificate chain (IACA)
LayerDetail
Credential formatISO/IEC 18013-5 mobile driver's license (mDL)
Signature protectionCOSE cryptographic signatures
Issuer trustGovernment certificate chain (IACA)
03

Wallet Provisioning

The credential is securely delivered to the user's digital wallet and stored on-device.

The credential is protected using secure hardware on the device, ensuring only the owner can present it. Examples of compatible wallets include:

iOS

Apple Wallet

Stores mDLs on iPhone and presents them via the Digital Credentials API in Safari.

Android

Google Wallet

Stores mDLs on Android devices and presents them via Android Credential Manager.

Android

Samsung Wallet

Participates through Android Credential Manager using OID4VP Annex B flows.

Government-issued

State mobile ID apps

Some states issue their own wallet apps with mDL support, such as the CA DMV app.

04

Identity Presentation

When a verifier requests identity information, the user approves sharing the credential from their wallet.

  1. 01

    In person: NFC tap or QR code

    The holder taps their phone or presents a QR code to a verifier device. The exchange follows ISO/IEC 18013-7 proximity protocols.

  2. 02

    Online: website or app

    The verifier requests the credential through a browser or mobile app using OpenID4VP or the Digital Credentials API.

05

Verification by the Verifier

The verifier validates the credential without contacting the issuer — everything it needs is inside the credential.

The verifier checks three things to confirm the credential is authentic and issued by a trusted authority:

Government issuer signature

Confirms the credential was signed by the issuing DMV or government authority.

Credential integrity

Confirms the credential data has not been altered since it was issued.

Trusted issuer certificates

Confirms the issuing authority's certificate chain is recognized and valid.

Summary

The complete picture

Five steps take a government ID from a plastic card to a verifiable digital credential.

ℹ️
How it all fits together
Government IDs become digital when the issuing authority creates a cryptographically signed credential, securely provisions it to a user's wallet, and enables verifiers to validate it through standardized protocols — all without the verifier needing to call back to the government during the check.
  1. 01

    Identity Enrollment

    Government confirms identity through its standard process.

  2. 02

    Credential Issuance

    Authority creates a COSE-signed ISO mDL credential with the holder's identity data.

  3. 03

    Wallet Provisioning

    Credential is delivered to the user's phone and stored in secure hardware.

  4. 04

    Identity Presentation

    Holder approves sharing from their wallet, in person or online.

  5. 05

    Verifier Checks

    Verifier validates issuer signature, integrity, and certificate trust chain.