Privacy

Putting Together a Child Identification Kit

Minutes count when a child is missing. When parents have the information needed by law enforcement at their fingertips, the search can begin immediately. That is one reason that having a Child Identification Kit (Child ID Kit) is important.

A Child ID Kit includes a physical description of the child, such as height, weight, hair and eye color, and any distinguishing marks, scars or characteristics, as well as a recent photo. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children recommends that photos be available in a digital format in addition to hard copy. The child’s photo should be updated at least every six months for children 6 years old or younger and once a year for older children. The photo should also be updated whenever the child’s appearance changes.

A kit may also contain biometric information such as fingerprints or palm prints, medical and dental records or even a DNA sample. Biometric information is not needed by law enforcement when a child first goes missing, but putting it into a database can help if the child’s biometric information is entered later. For example, if a teen runaway is picked up by law enforcement and their fingerprints are run through the database, there would be a match with the fingerprints entered into the database when they went missing. The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) recommends that any biometric data in the ID Kit should not be digitized, but a hard copy should be kept in a secure place, such as a lock box or safe.

Parents can assemble a Child ID Kit themselves, or they can work with one of many companies that provide this service. Free kits are available from:

The ITRC recommends that parents who wish to work with a commercial service to assemble a Child ID Kit watch out for the following red flags when choosing a provider:

  • Companies that offer to collect and retain the child’s biometric information. Biometric data should remain in the custody of parents.
  • Companies that recommend parents carry the child’s biometric information at all times. The only exception is carrying this information when traveling.
  • Companies that request other sensitive personal information, such as a Social Security number, a passport number or a copy of a birth certificate. There is no need for these items in a Child ID Kit.
  • For-profit companies that state they are endorsed by law enforcement. Sometimes for-profit companies will establish a partnership with law enforcement, but verify this with law enforcement yourself.
  • For-profit companies that state all proceeds go to charity. Find out the name of the charity and verify that it’s a legitimate organization (use org or CharityNavigator.org). Ask them directly if this Child ID Kit provider is a fundraiser they endorse.
  • Companies that use scare tactics to pressure you to use their program instead of free resources. Parents can decide whether they wish to assemble the kit themselves or pay for the convenience of a company doing it for them.