Key takeaways
- Many forms ask for both sides of an ID on one page — ID card mode does this automatically.
- Both sides are placed on one A4 page at real card size (85.6 × 54 mm), so a printout is life-size.
- Use a dark background and avoid glare on the plastic card.
- Protect ID scans: never upload them to unknown sites, and add a password when emailing.
Banks, landlords, employers and government offices often ask for "a copy of your ID, both sides, on one page". Photocopy shops do this by placing the card twice on the glass. With your phone you can do it better — and at the exact real size.
The quick way: ID card mode
- Open Scan to PDF.
- Choose ID card mode (in the camera or in the scan workspace).
- Place the card on a dark surface and scan the front.
- Turn the card over and scan the back.
- Save the PDF. Both sides appear on one A4 page, one above the other, each at real card size (85.6 × 54 mm).
Printed at 100% scale, the copy is life-size — just like a photocopy.
Avoid glare on plastic cards
ID cards are glossy, and reflections can hide your photo or numbers.
- Turn off the flash.
- Avoid ceiling lights directly above the card; use indirect daylight from a window.
- If you still see a bright spot, tilt the card slightly so the reflection moves off it.
Which documents fit ID card mode
ID card mode is designed for credit-card-sized documents (ID-1 format): national ID cards, driver's licenses, residence permits, health insurance cards, student cards and bank cards. For a passport photo page or larger certificates, use Document mode instead.
Hide what the recipient doesn't need
Some organisations only need your name and photo, not your ID number or card number. Before sending, use Redact PDF to black out the parts you don't want to share — properly, so the hidden text can't be recovered. Learn how in how to redact a PDF properly.
Send it safely
An ID scan is valuable to identity thieves. A few habits help:
- Don't upload IDs to random converters. Many free sites keep copies on their servers. Osd-Scan never uploads your files.
- Add a password with Protect PDF when you send it by email, and share the password by phone or SMS.
- Add a watermark such as "Copy for ABC Bank only — 2026" with Watermark PDF. It makes misuse harder.
Combining with other documents
Applications often require several files: ID copy, proof of address, payslips. Scan each, then merge them into one PDF in the order requested. If the portal has a size limit, compress the PDF.
A neat, life-size, two-sided ID copy takes about thirty seconds — and you never need a photocopier again.
Frequently asked questions
What size is an ID card on the PDF?
Osd-Scan places each side at the standard ID-1 card size of 85.6 × 54 mm, the same as credit cards and most national IDs and driver's licenses.
Can I scan a passport?
Use Document mode for the passport photo page. ID card mode is designed for credit-card-sized cards.
How do I stop glare on a plastic card?
Avoid direct overhead light and the flash, tilt the card slightly away from the light, or scan near a window with indirect daylight.
Is it safe to scan my ID online?
Only if the tool doesn't upload it. Osd-Scan processes everything on your device, so the image never reaches a server.