Legitimatie

Legitimatie is a Dutch term that most commonly refers to a document or proof that a person is who they claim to be. In everyday language it denotes identification or proof of identity used to access services, travel, or conduct transactions. A legitimate identification typically contains a photo, personal data, and a document number, and is issued by a government authority or other recognized institution.

Common forms include national identity cards (identiteitskaart), passports, driving licenses (rijbewijs), and other government-issued IDs. In many European countries a national ID card or passport is accepted as official identification; a driving license often serves as supplementary proof of identity but may not suffice for all purposes. Employers, schools, banks, and authorities may also issue employee badges or student IDs that serve identification within specific contexts.

Legitimatie is often required by law to prove identity for certain rights or transactions, such as opening a bank account, signing contracts, or traveling internationally. The exact requirements vary by country and situation. In the European Union, the ID card is widely recognized across member states; for international travel a passport is commonly used.

Beyond establishing identity, legitimatie can also mean the process of legitimating or authorizing someone to perform actions or access resources. In information technology and access control, legitimate users are granted authorization after identity verification.

See also: identiteitskaart, paspoort, rijbewijs, legitimatiebewijs, identificatie, autorisatie.