Ministry of Magic Identity Card

Ministry of Magic Identity Card
Object information
Manufacturer	British Ministry of Magic
Usage	To authenticate the identity of Ministry employees
Owners	Ministry employees

A Ministry of Magic Identity Card was a small card used to authenticate the identity of the various employees at the British Ministry of Magic. Use of the cards was made compulsory by Minister Pius Thicknesse in 1997; whether they existed before that is unknown.

History

Newt Scamander's Ministry of Magic ID Card

The card included such information as a photograph, basic biographical information (such as height, weight, and date of birth), a set of fingerprints, and the owner's signature. Identity Cards were issued under regulation EALF — MOFMAGIC — 94/MPNC — 240274(CRU) — MM — LCAW and validated by the holder's Ministerial Superior as well as another Ministry official (Ministry Official No. 39423, in the case of Mafalda Hopkirk).

On 2 September 1997, Hermione Granger was able to identify Mafalda Hopkirk, whose likeness she was assuming via Polyjuice Potion to infiltrate the Ministry, by the Identity Card on her person. Albert Runcorn apparently did not carry an ID or had forgotten it the day of the infiltration, as Harry Potter was unaware of who he was impersonating until being addressed as Runcorn.

Harry Potter's Ministry Of Magic ID Card

During the Calamity in the late 2010s, Harry Potter's ID card become a Foundable during an event known as "Potter's Calamity", in which members of the Statute of Secrecy Task Force were able to free the Foundable and return it to its original owner.

Behind the scenes

• The text on the card indicates that owners are not permitted to access other Ministry departments other than the one they work in and that a Ministry worker cannot discuss what they see at work outside of the Ministry. The former provision cannot be considered canon, as instances of Ministry workers going to different departments are seen several times (such as when Mafalda Hopkirk accompanies Dolores Umbridge to conduct the trials on Muggle-borns). The latter provision may also not be canon, as Arthur Weasley discussed many aspects of his work life at home; however, this may merely be a new provision set up after the fall of the British Ministry of Magic.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (First identified as Ministry of Magic Identity Card)
• Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
• The Archive of Magic: The Film Wizardry of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
• Harry Potter Limited Edition
• Harry Potter Film Wizardry
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
• Harry Potter: Wizards Unite