How to Scan ID Card & Passport to PDF Safely

Landlords, employers, banks, and government agencies regularly ask for scanned copies of your ID. But uploading your driver's license or passport to a random scanning website is one of the riskiest things you can do online. Here is how to do it safely.

Why Cloud-Based ID Scanning Is Dangerous

When you use a typical online scanner or scanning app, your document image is uploaded to a remote server for processing. For most documents, this is a minor privacy concern. For identity documents, it is a serious risk:

• •Server breaches expose your identity — If the scanning service is hacked, attackers get a clean copy of your ID. This happened with multiple document services in 2024 and 2025.
• •Data retention policies are vague — Many services claim to "delete files after processing" but retain metadata, thumbnails, or backups for months.
• •Cross-border data transfer — Your ID scan may be processed on servers in countries with weaker privacy laws than your own.
• •Man-in-the-middle attacks — Even with HTTPS, uploaded images pass through CDNs, load balancers, and potentially compromised network infrastructure.

How MiOffice Scans IDs Safely

MiOffice takes a fundamentally different approach. The entire scanning pipeline runs in your browser using client-side technologies:

There is no server endpoint, no API call, no upload. You can verify this yourself by opening your browser's Network tab (F12 > Network) while scanning — you will see zero outbound requests containing your document data.

How to Scan Your ID Card or Passport

1. 1

   Open the ID Scanner

   Go to the MiOffice ID Card Scanner. Works on any phone or computer with a camera.

2. 2

   Capture the Front

   Place your ID on a dark, contrasting surface. Hold the camera directly above it. The scanner automatically detects the card edges. Tap capture.

3. 3

   Capture the Back (Optional)

   Flip the card and scan the back. Both sides will be included as separate pages in your PDF.

4. 4

   Download Your PDF

   The scanner applies perspective correction and enhancement, then generates your PDF locally. Download and send to whoever requested it.

Tips for Clean ID Scans

• •Remove the protective sleeve — Plastic covers cause glare and reflections that reduce scan quality.
• •Use indirect lighting — Overhead fluorescent or LED lights work well. Avoid camera flash as it creates hotspots on laminated IDs.
• •Dark background — Place the ID on a dark desk, book, or piece of paper so the scanner can clearly detect the card edges.
• •Shoot from directly above — Angled shots cause trapezoid distortion. While perspective correction compensates for this, a straight-on shot gives the sharpest result.
• •Use Color mode — For IDs and passports, use Color enhancement to preserve the ID photo, holograms, and colored text faithfully.

Common Scenarios That Require ID Scans

After Scanning: Secure Your PDF

Once you have your scanned ID as a PDF, take these precautions:

• •Password-protect the PDF — Use our PDF Password Protection tool to encrypt the file before emailing.
• •Delete after sending — Do not keep ID scans in your Downloads folder. Store them in an encrypted location or delete them after the recipient confirms receipt.
• •Add a watermark — Use our PDF Watermark tool to add "FOR [COMPANY NAME] USE ONLY" across the scan. This deters reuse if the file is leaked.

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