Quote Originally Posted by Enkidoh View Post
There is one point in the story though where we are clearly shown being given identity papers that prove our association with a certain group - upon being granted asylum in Ishgard early in the Heavensward story, the player's character along with Tataru and Alphinaud are handed identity papers with the House Fortemps crest on it by Count Edmont's steward, and Edmont specifically says that they identify them as a ward of House Fortemps.
Yeah, this was the only instance I could recall off the top of my head in which identification papers were even mentioned. It made me curious as to how ID works. Do the various citizens of the world have papers stating which country they belong to? How do the nations take census, how do they collect taxes, etc?

Although, I do get the feeling that things like property or income aren't taxed, just business transactions and imports/exports. Overall, identity security in Eorzea just seems remarkably lax, compared to modern-day standards. It's a bit of a wonder that worse things haven't happened yet with someone impersonating a VIP or something.