Most times people say ID is "required" is because they are lazy and don't want to go through the effort of confirming identity using other means. There are certainly things that do legally require ID like opening a bank account, but others just have a strong preference for ID such as flying which can be done without ID if you are committed to fighting through the difficulties.
An ID certainly makes those things easier, but a government issued photo ID is not actually required for any of them. Like I said in my original comment, the only things that absolutely require an ID are international travel and driving. If you do neither of those, then you might not have an ID.
In the US there is no such requirement. An ID is only needed to buy restricted products/substances (alcohol, certain medications, guns), to drive, to vote, or similar: cases where you either need to prove who you are or prove how old you are.
The Wikipedia article on the subject[0] is incomplete, but the only countries whose laws it specifically describes (Germany & Sweden) do not require carrying the ID with you. Rather than it being the norm to require ID, I'm having a very hard time finding out any countries that do require it.
If we're talking daily participation, you don't (or shouldn't) need ID. For one off events like registration or entry, then ID is a fair requirement (sometimes).
I don't know who is arguing for bank accounts without ID though.
It is very easy in the US, especially in either very urban or very rural communities. If you don't drive on public roads and are already established in life with a job or bank account, you probably don't actually need an ID for much in your day to day life. Even activities that we normally think of as requiring an ID like traveling on a plane are possible without an ID if you are willing to jump through some hoops.
That's not true in the UK, there's no ID card here. IMO it's quite a nuisance, for example you need to always bring 2 documents to verify your identity and address for a variety of situations (opening a bank account, even opening a new savings account at the SAME bank, renting a new place, new job, mortgage, requesting information from the government).
IDs are not mandatory at either the State or Federal level in the USA.
The most common type of identification is a State driver's license, but there are also alternative non-driver license ID cards available. None of these IDs are mandatory, but are nearly required to live in modern society (open a bank account, drive a car, vote, etc).
There is no legal requirement in the US to have a picture ID card, either. Unless you want to drive. Or, in an increasing number of states, vote. Or get on a plane without a ton of hassle. Or... well, you get the idea.
It is possible for something to be "not legally required" but still have a very high degree of adoption due to the inconvenience caused by not having it.
In the Netherlands we also require ID. But everybody already has an Id card because you need it to travel abroad. In the US, a lot of people dont have a passport, especcially the less wealthy ones.
It's not illegal to not have ID as a citizen, but several states and federal cases have upheld requirements that you must identify yourself when necessary, which is effectively the same thing.
The point is that you must have clear legal status and documentation, whether that's physically on you as a person (for green card holders) or available to be looked up (for everyone).
"Not everyone has those" seems probably a USA-related perspective as people not having ID is a problem there; but in many places in Europe it's normal to assume that everyone does have a valid ID; you're required to get one when you become an adult, you're required to report if it gets lost/stolen so that it gets blocked and replaced. You don't have to have that ID with you, but not having a passport or ID card at all is a misdemeanor. Even homeless drug addicts generally have them because it's necessary for various things e.g. social services.
If someone needs banking services (or, really, any services from anyone) but don't have a proper gov't ID document then would be considered normal to require that the very first thing they'd need to do is to get/replace that ID. And if you have that, then that's all you need for basic banking services.
The UK has no requirement for ID. The old WW2 ID was abolished in the early 50s as an infringement of civil liberties. The idea being that a citizen can go about their lawful business without interruption unless suspected of something. IDs were being asked for by police and others as a matter of course rather than of suspicion.
A passport or driving licence forms a de facto ID, but both of those are voluntary, and there is no requirement to carry them. You don't even need to carry your driving licence when driving. I haven't seen my driving licence for years! I think I know which drawer it's in. :)
There are also voluntary ID schemes for youngsters who want to prove they're old enough to buy alcohol and tobacco, or be in a club etc.
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