Do not lend your ID card, do not use someone else’s ID card, and do not register, open accounts, or buy tickets using another person’s documents

Lending, renting, or transferring your ID card to someone else brings a warning and a fine of up to 200 yuan. Using someone else’s ID, or one obtained by fraud, brings a fine of 200 to 1000 yuan, or detention for up to 10 days. Using a fake document or someone else’s papers in real-name settings such as buying train tickets or checking into a hotel, when circumstances are serious, can bring criminal detention or public surveillance.

Cost

No expense involved. If someone asks to borrow it, simply refuse. If a copy is required, clearly note on the copy what specific purpose it is intended for.

Benefit

Lending, renting, or transferring one’s resident ID card to another person results in a warning and a fine of up to 200 yuan. Using someone else’s ID card or an ID card obtained fraudulently carries a fine of 200–1,000 yuan or detention for up to 10 days. The same penalties apply to buying, selling, or using forged or altered ID cards. Many situations legally require presentation of identification; using forged, altered, or stolen documents in such cases can lead to criminal sentencing. Such documents include ID cards, passports, social insurance cards, and driver’s licenses. Penalties may include detention (short-term imprisonment) or surveillance (restrictions on movement without imprisonment), often combined with a fine; in some cases only a fine is imposed nationwide.

Notes

Lending your ID card could allow it to be used to register a company or open bank accounts; the consequences of such actions are described in Sections 8.28 and 8.8 (do not serve as a nominal legal representative or lend your bank card to others). Using someone else’s ID card to buy train tickets or check into hotels falls under activities requiring valid identification per law. No official case examples were found for this provision. When using internet cafés, always present your own ID; cafés must verify and record ID details, retaining records for at least 60 days for inspection by police and cultural authorities. Any activity performed on a computer using someone else’s ID is legally attributed to that person.

Sources · 2

1. 全国人大常委会 (2011). 居民身份证法（2011 年修正，第十六、十七条）. jtgl.beijing.gov.cn/jgj/jgxx/flfg/fl/203777/i…（北京市公安交通管理局转载）；全国人大 (2020). 刑法（根据刑法修正案（十一）修正，第二百八十条之一）. jtgl.beijing.gov.cn/jgj/jgxx/flfg/fl/11033925…
2. 国务院 (2002). 互联网上网服务营业场所管理条例（国令第 363 号，第二十三条）. gov.cn/gongbao/content/2002/content_61788.htm