US Document Forgery Visual Guide
Annotated diagrams showing where US document forgeries fail: passport security features, driver license layering, Social Security card typography, and permanent resident card holographic elements. From 27 years of active identity verification casework.
The current-generation US passport book has been issued since 2007. The data page is page 2, a polycarbonate laminate card with laser-engraved biographical data. Callouts show the features most frequently incorrect in forgeries.
The photo is laser-engraved into the polycarbonate card, not glued or laminated over. In forgeries, the photo layer sits on top rather than being embedded. Look for edge artifacts, inconsistent texture between photo zone and surrounding page, or visible laminate seams around the photo border.
A smaller secondary image of the holder is laser-engraved in the upper right area. In genuine passports, this ghost image is identical to the primary photo and embedded at the same depth. Forgeries often omit it entirely or overlay a mismatched image with visible edge differences.
The machine-readable zone must exactly match the biographical data above it. Check passport number, date of birth (YYMMDD format), sex, and expiration date. MRZ check digits must compute correctly using the ICAO 9303 algorithm. Mismatches between the visual zone and MRZ are a definitive forgery indicator.
US passport numbers are exactly 9 digits. The first two digits correspond to the issuing agency code. Numbers that do not follow the standard 9-digit format, contain letters, or have an inconsistent agency prefix for the stated issue date indicate a fabricated document.
The genuine data page is rigid polycarbonate, not paper. Under magnification, laser-engraved text has a tactile difference from printed text. The page should feel noticeably stiffer and smoother than standard paper pages. Flexibility similar to regular paper is a forgery indicator.
US driver licenses vary by state, but all current REAL ID-compliant licenses share common security features. This generic layout shows the elements most commonly faked or omitted in forged licenses.
REAL ID-compliant licenses display a gold star or similar marker in the upper right corner. Since May 2025, REAL ID is required for federal purposes. A license without this marker issued after the enforcement date, or with a crudely added star, raises immediate questions about authenticity.
The 2D barcode on the back encodes the same biographical data printed on the front. Scanning the barcode and comparing it against the visual data is the fastest single check. In forgeries, the barcode is often a generic placeholder or encodes different data than what appears on the card face.
Genuine licenses use state-specific printing methods (laser engraving, dye-sublimation) that embed the photo into the card material. Photos that appear layered on top, have visible edges, or show different resolution than the card background indicate a counterfeit.
Most current state licenses include a smaller secondary image of the holder. This ghost image is typically produced during card manufacturing and cannot be added after the fact. Its absence on a supposedly current-generation license is suspicious.
Each state uses a specific format for license numbers: some are purely numeric, others include letters; lengths and patterns vary by state. A number that does not match the format for the issuing state is an immediate red flag. Cross-reference with the state DMV format guide.
The SSN card is one of the most commonly forged US documents because of its relative simplicity. The current design uses intaglio printing and specific security paper, but forgers exploit the card's lack of a photo or biometric element.
The "SOCIAL SECURITY" header text on genuine cards is printed using intaglio (raised) printing. Run a fingertip across the lettering: genuine cards have a distinctly raised texture. Flat, smooth lettering indicates a regular printed forgery. This is the single most reliable tactile test for SSN card authentication.
Social Security numbers follow the format AAA-GG-SSSS. Before 2011, the area number (first three digits) corresponded to the state of application. Numbers 000, 666, and 900-999 in the area position are never valid. Group numbers 00 and serial numbers 0000 are never issued. A number that violates these rules is definitively fake.
Genuine SSN cards are printed on specialized blue-tinted marbleized security paper with yellow, pink, and blue planchettes (tiny colored discs) embedded in the paper. Under magnification, these planchettes should be visible within the paper fibers, not printed on the surface. The paper also includes a watermark pattern visible when held to light.
Genuine cards use a consistent, specific typeface for all printed elements. The SSA has used the same font family for decades. Cards with mixed fonts, inconsistent spacing, or common desktop publishing fonts (Times New Roman, Arial) are forgeries. Compare against a known genuine card if available.
The current-generation green card, issued since 2017, is a polycarbonate card with laser-engraved data, multiple holographic elements, and an embedded RFID chip. It is one of the most heavily secured US identity documents.
The photo area on genuine green cards is covered by a color-shifting holographic overlay that displays "USA" and the DHS seal when tilted. In forgeries, this overlay is either absent, static (no color shift), or applied as a separate sticker layer with visible edges. Tilt the card under direct light and observe the color transition.
Current-generation green cards include a laser-engraved fingerprint image on the front. This is embedded in the polycarbonate during manufacturing. In forgeries, it is either missing entirely or printed on the surface rather than embedded. Under magnification, an engraved fingerprint shows a different texture than surface printing.
Like the passport, the MRZ must match the visual biographical data exactly. The green card MRZ begins with "C1" or "C2" for the document type. Check that the USCIS number, name, date of birth, country of birth, and card expiration encode correctly. Any mismatch between the visual zone and MRZ data is a definitive forgery indicator.
Current green cards contain an embedded RFID chip that stores the holder's biographic and biometric data. The chip should be readable with an NFC-equipped device. A card that claims to be current-generation but has no readable chip signal, or whose chip data does not match the printed data, is suspect.
The USCIS number on the green card follows a specific format: a three-letter service center code, a two-digit fiscal year, and a seven- to ten-digit case number. Numbers that deviate from this pattern or contain an unrecognized service center prefix should be verified through USCIS Case Status Online.
Work through each item. Mark each check as passed or failed. The checklist calculates a confidence assessment when complete.
Frequently asked questions
What US documents does this guide cover?
The guide covers the four US documents most commonly encountered in identity fraud cases: the US passport book (data page), state-issued driver licenses and ID cards, Social Security cards, and Permanent Resident Cards (green cards). Each section includes an annotated diagram, security feature reference, and common forgery indicators.
Can I use this guide to verify a document myself?
This guide covers surface-level indicators visible in document scans and photographs. It can help you identify obvious forgeries and know what to look for. However, no visual guide can detect high-quality forgeries that accurately replicate security features. For consequential decisions involving employment, tenancy, or financial commitments, professional document verification is recommended.
Can AllRussian verify US documents?
Yes. AllRussian conducts document verification for US identity documents as well as international documents. Our verification process goes beyond visual inspection to cross-reference document details against available public records and official databases. This is particularly valuable for employer I-9 compliance, landlord tenant screening, and fraud investigation.
What is the most commonly forged US document?
The Social Security card, primarily because it lacks a photo, holographic elements, or electronic verification features. It is effectively a piece of printed cardstock, which makes it the easiest US identity document to reproduce. This is why SSN cards alone should never be accepted as sole proof of identity.
How can I check if a Social Security number is valid?
You can verify format validity (area number rules, group number rules) using publicly available SSA guidelines. For employment purposes, E-Verify cross-references SSN against SSA records. For investigation purposes, AllRussian can conduct a lawful SSN trace to identify the name, date of birth, and address history associated with a given number.