UR® Codes bind humans to their issuer-signed identities to stop fake IDs
FaceTec, Inc., the global leader in 3D Face Verification software, today announced the release of its UR® Codes August 2026 Update. The document provides insight into current use case examples of the UR Code model, describing critically important, life-saving identity verification applications.
FaceTec’s UR Code is a full-stack identity credential protocol embedded within a standard QR barcode format. Unlike traditional passwords or physical ID cards, a UR Code cryptographically binds an individual’s verified identity attributes directly to their 3D biometric face vector data.
Real-World Production Use Cases
Albany County Sheriff’s Office (Active-Duty Sheriff Deputies): Upgrades standard Deputy ID cards to allow instant, cross-jurisdictional verification by partner agencies or citizens, ensuring lost or stolen IDs cannot be used by unauthorized holders and that Fake IDs cannot be created to impersonate Deputies.
Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office (Retirees & LEOSA/HR218): Enables nationwide, offline verification for retired officers carrying concealed firearms under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, allowing out-of-state officers to biometrically confirm the holder’s active HR218 qualification status.
Project Lifesaver International (At-Risk Individuals): Operating in over 1,700 jurisdictions in the US and Canada, UR Code labels are being added to locator bracelets, clothing, and footwear worn by individuals with cognitive conditions such as autism or dementia. Anyone in the community can now scan the UR Code and perform a live biometric match to identify the non-verbal or disoriented individual, and access the designated first responders who will reunite them with their caretakers.
Key Technical Features
Cryptographic Integrity: Includes a digital signature that guarantees data authenticity and prevents tampering without requiring a centralized database check (“phoning home”).
Biometric Binding: Features an integrated face-match UI that compares a live camera scan of the presenter against the biometric vector stored inside the code to prevent credential sharing, theft, or impersonation.
Offline Functionality: Functions across Android, iOS (via the free Scan & Match app), and desktop hardware, both online and offline.
Auditable Operations: Actionable scans can be tokenized and time-stamped for record management.
Please use the following link to access the full white paper, UR® Codes August 2026 Update:
https://facetec.com/UR_Codes_Update.pdf
More information and presentations at upcoming events can be found at the following links:
Identity Week America, 2026
- Identity Week Keynote, Wednesday 2 September, 10:05
Reactive or Proactive? Why the Architecture Matters (Keynote Theater)
Jay Meier, Chief Identity Technology Strategist, FaceTec, Inc. - Identity Week America Panel Discussion, Sept 2, 11:30
Bind, Verify, Trust. Meet the Privacy-Preserving Biometrically-Binding, Digitally-Signed UR Codes Come to Life by FaceTec and Foster Freeman at Borders Across the Globe
Alberto Lima, SVP BDM at FaceTec, Inc.; Darren Corbett, Director of Partnerships and Marketing at Foster+Freeman; Manos Mavrikos, SVP of Growth,FaceTec, Inc. - Identity Week America Panel Discussion, Sept 2, 16:45
How UR Codes Are Being Used by Law Enforcement in the US (Seminar Theater B)
Moderator: Owen McShane, VP of Government Relations, FaceTec, Inc. Panel participants: Craig D. Apple Sr, Sheriff, Albany County; Gene Saunders, Founder, Project Lifesaver; Mike Zurlo, Education Outreach Coordinator, FaceTec, Inc.
Introduction To UR Codes By Owen McShane, Education 2.0 Keynote USA 2026: How Biometric Technology Can Help Fight the Rising Tide of Identity Fraud and Fake IDs
Project Lifesaver Partners With FaceTec to Identify At-Risk Children and Adults
Project Lifesaver 2026 Conference
FaceTec’s UR Codes enable codeholders to prove their legal identity, age, and the right to access their accounts or privileges with high confidence, both in-person and remotely. UR Codes can contain embedded, digitally-signed biometric and legal identity information, ensuring privacy-preserving, decentralized identity verification. Safely storing unique, signed face data, personal info, and legal identity data, UR Codes provide secure, low-cost, two-party identity verification at unlimited scale in any identity-related scenario from any issuing authority, such as a DMV, passport issuer, school, or employer. For more information, visit the following resources:
- An Introduction to UR Codes
- The UR Encoder Demo
- Learn more at URCodes.com
