Streamlining Identification, Protecting Privacy, and Enhancing Efficiency in Government Paperwork
1. Executive Summary
This proposal recommends adopting the National Citizen Identifier (NCI) as the single identification number across all levels of government documentation, replacing various state-issued identifiers and eliminating the need for additional personal information, such as names, gender, and race. By using only the NCI, the government can streamline processes, improve privacy protections for individuals, and reduce administrative complexity and redundancy across local, state, and federal levels.
2. Background and Rationale
Currently, individuals are required to maintain a range of identifiers—such as state IDs, driver’s license numbers, and other unique identifiers—which leads to redundancy, complexity, and increased government involvement. With the implementation of the National Citizen Identifier (NCI) as the universal identifier, individuals and agencies can expect:
- Enhanced Privacy: Eliminating the need for personal demographic information like name, gender, and race strengthens individual privacy and reduces unnecessary data collection across agencies.
- Simplified Government Operations: A single identifier will allow federal, state, and local agencies to operate with greater efficiency and consistency.
- Reduction in Bureaucracy: Adopting the NCI allows for minimal data collection and efficient processing, significantly reducing the administrative burden.
3. Proposal Outline
Scope of NCI Adoption: The NCI would serve as the sole identifier across federal, state, and local government interactions, replacing:
- Personal Identifiers: Names, gender, race, and other demographic fields would no longer be required in government documentation, simplifying data collection.
- State and Regional Identifiers: State-issued IDs, driver’s licenses, and other regional numbers would be phased out in favor of the NCI.
NCI Format and Application:
- Citizens and Birth Assignments: NCIs would be issued to all U.S.-born citizens at birth, with a state-based prefix to indicate the place of origin. This ID would be linked to the date of birth to allow age verification for age-restricted items.
- Lawful Immigrants and Work Visa Holders: Lawful immigrants and individuals on work visas would receive NCIs with unique prefixes distinguishing residency and work status, allowing for consistent identification across all agencies without requiring alternative identifiers.
State-Issued Photo ID Integration: An NCI-based photo ID can be obtained, with the same NCI number, to serve as a state-issued photo ID. Digital photos would be required for all ages for records, such as Amber Alerts or other emergencies. Minors’ photos would be updated periodically, while adults would update their photos every 10 years. A long-term, durable NCI card (such as one made of metal) would be issued, with one free replacement available, and additional replacements available for a nominal fee.
Application Areas:
- Tax Filing and Records: NCIs would serve as the primary identifier in tax records, simplifying reporting and improving efficiency.
- Public Benefits and Services: NCIs would streamline applications for public benefits, enabling seamless access across jurisdictions.
- Marriage and Civil Certifications: Birth, marriage, and other civil records would be standardized using NCIs, eliminating excess identifiers.
- Voting and Civic Participation: NCI-based voter registration would create a uniform, streamlined system for civic participation without the need for additional identification requirements.
4. Implementation Phases
- Phase 1: Federal Integration – Federal agencies adopt NCIs as the sole identifier and eliminate additional demographic fields from forms.
- Phase 2: State and Local Integration – State and local governments work to replace state-issued IDs with the NCI in all relevant documents and systems.
- Phase 3: Public Education and Transition Assistance – Public information resources will be made available, with support to assist individuals in updating records as needed.
5. Anticipated Benefits
- Maximized Privacy: Using only the NCI protects individual privacy by limiting the data that the government collects and reducing the risk of sensitive information exposure.
- Reduced Costs and Simplified Government Operations: The adoption of a single identifier will reduce administrative costs at federal, state, and local levels, eliminating the need for multiple identifiers and records maintenance.
- Streamlined Processes Across Agencies: By standardizing the NCI as the only identifier, agencies will achieve greater efficiency and reduce procedural delays.
- Reduced Government Involvement in Personal Information Changes: Since the NCI serves as a universal identifier without dependence on personal demographic information such as name or gender, individuals will have the flexibility to update these identifiers without requiring government involvement or legal processes. This supports individual autonomy and further protects privacy.
6. Addressing Potential Challenges
- Privacy and Security Standards: Strong data protection standards will be implemented to secure NCI data and ensure confidentiality.
- System Modernization Needs: Funding and support will be allocated to state and local governments to update systems and facilitate a smooth transition to the NCI.
- Public Communication: A public education campaign will inform citizens of the benefits of a single identifier and assist with any necessary adjustments to their records.
7. Conclusion
Adopting the National Citizen Identifier (NCI) as the sole identification number across all government levels offers a streamlined, privacy-focused approach to identification that simplifies interactions with government agencies, reduces redundancy, and enhances efficiency. The NCI will allow for better privacy, improved security, and a significant reduction in the time and resources required to maintain and verify multiple identifiers.