For several years now, the Office's experts in the field of identity documents have attended international conferences and seminars, as well as regularly participated in the meetings of the European Commission's technical subgroup, where they get acquainted with security solution innovations, follow industry trends and developments, and exchange experience with foreign specialists.
New model eID cards from 2019
From 2 September 2019, the Office started issuing a new model of identity cards or eID cards. It has twice the validity period as before, new and innovative security features, an unlimited number of e-signatures, as well as a color photo of the ID card holder.
The new model ID cards have a built-in view window with a personalized face image of the cardholder. The card was also upgraded with a historical or original entry of the personal name in the Latin alphabet, as well as other nuances, thus slightly changing the visual layout of identity cards.
International recognition of the new eID card
The Office's activities in the field of identity documents are internationally recognized. In March 2020, at the conference "High Security Printing", which took place in Lisbon, the Latvian identity card (eID card) was recognized as the best national ID card in the European region. The conference traditionally looked at the latest trends in identity documents.
Satisfaction with accomplishments
Representatives of the Office, Deputy Head Uldis Apsītis and Ēriks Vismanis, the Director of the Department of Identity Documents, who both participated in the conference, were truly satisfied with the accomplishments after receiving the valuable award.
"It was a big surprise to be nominated and awarded here. The greatest value of attending such an international conference is the opportunity to follow the latest trends in document security, exchange of experience and ideas with industry professionals from other Member States and companies, who present new and innovative ideas in both technical possibilities and security solutions,” says Ē. Vismanis.
The German company G&D is also proud of the Office, as the longest cooperation partner in the production of passports since the 1990s.
G&D, a manufacturer with extensive experience in the production of secure documents, money and securities, previously printed lats banknotes and delivered the first citizen passports of the restored Republic of Latvia, which were first issued in 1992.