How to Scan an ID Card to PDF Online (and on Your Phone)

You need to submit a copy of your driver’s license, passport, or national identity card for a background check, a new job onboarding, or a rental application. You do not own a flatbed scanner.

If you try to take a standard photo of your ID, you usually end up with two separate JPG image files (one for the front, one for the back) covered in glare, with a messy background. Most HR portals and verification systems reject these. They require a single, clean PDF document containing both sides of the card on one page.

Here are the most effective ways to scan an ID card to PDF, including the free tools built into your phone and how to handle the formatting perfectly.

Key Takeaways

• Native tools like Apple Notes and Google Drive can scan documents, but they require manual cropping and make it difficult to format the front and back of an ID onto a single page.
• If you search for a tool to "scan id card to pdf online," you will find many web converters. Be cautious about uploading government IDs to random web servers.
• Filodocs features a dedicated ID Card Scanner tool that automatically aligns the front and back of your card onto one page.
• Generating PDFs and using the PDF to DOC converter in Filodocs strictly requires an active internet connection, but the app is completely free, requires no account, and has no subscription fees.

Method 1: Scan an ID Using Apple Notes (iPhone / iOS)

If you use an iPhone, you already have a document scanner hidden inside the Apple Notes app. It is a reliable way to create a PDF quickly.

1. Open the Notes app on your iPhone and create a new note.
2. Tap the Camera icon above the keyboard.
3. Select Scan Documents.
4. Place the front of your ID card on a dark, contrasting surface (like a dark table).
5. Hold your phone flat above the card. The camera will highlight the card in yellow and snap the photo automatically.
6. Flip the card over and let the camera scan the back.
7. Tap Save.

The trade-off: While Apple Notes creates a PDF, it places the front of the ID on page one and the back on page two. Many verification systems require both sides to be visible on a single page.

Method 2: Scan an ID Using Google Drive (Android)

Android users can use the Google Drive app to scan physical documents directly into PDF format.

1. Open the Google Drive app.
2. Tap the + New button in the bottom right corner.
3. Tap Scan (the camera icon).
4. Point your camera at the front of your ID card and take the photo. Use the crop tool to remove the background table.
5. Tap the + Add button in the bottom left corner to add another page.
6. Photograph the back of the ID card.
7. Tap Save to upload the PDF to your Google Drive.

The trade-off: Similar to Apple Notes, Google Drive outputs a multi-page PDF. You will still need an editing tool if your employer requires both sides on a single page.

Method 3: Using Web-Based Online Scanners

When you search to scan an ID card to PDF online, you will see dozens of web tools like Smallpdf, PDF24, or iLovePDF. These services work by asking you to take photos of your ID and upload those JPG files through your web browser, where their servers convert them into a PDF.

While these tools work, they come with a privacy risk. You are uploading your government identity card to a third-party server. Additionally, formatting two separate images into a standard ID layout (front and back aligned) on a web browser is often frustrating and requires manual drag-and-drop adjustments.

How to Scan an ID to PDF in Filodocs (Front and Back on One Page)

If you need the front and back of your ID aligned perfectly on a single page, the fastest route is using a dedicated mobile application.

Filodocs includes a specific ID Card Scanner built exactly for this use case. It automatically crops the background, enhances the text, and places both sides of the card onto a single PDF page ready for submission.

Here is how to do it:

1. Place your ID card on a flat, well-lit surface.
2. Open Filodocs and tap the ID Card Scanner tool.
3. Align the front of your ID inside the camera frame and capture the image.
4. Flip the card over, align the back in the frame, and capture.
5. The app will automatically crop out the table and align both sides onto a single preview page.
6. Tap Convert to PDF. (Note: All PDF generation tools in Filodocs require an active internet connection).
7. Save the final PDF to your phone or share it directly to your email.

The entire process takes less than 30 seconds. Filodocs is completely free to use. There is no account to create, no login screen, and absolutely no subscription required.

Need to Extract the Text? Use the PDF to DOC Tool

Sometimes an organization does not just need the image of your ID; they need the text data extracted from it to fill out forms or verify records.

Filodocs provides a PDF to DOC (Word) conversion feature specifically for mobile users. Once you have scanned your ID card to a PDF, you can run that file through the PDF to Word converter inside the app.

1. Select your scanned ID PDF in Filodocs.
2. Choose the PDF to DOC tool.
3. Tap convert. (An active internet connection is required for this step).
4. Open the resulting Word document to copy your ID number, address, and exact name spelling without typing it manually.

If you deal with physical documents regularly, having an ID scanner, a PDF generator, and a PDF to Word converter inside a single free app saves you from downloading multiple single-purpose tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I scan an ID card to PDF online for free? 

Yes, there are many free web converters available. However, for sensitive documents like government IDs, using a mobile app with a dedicated ID scanning mode is generally faster and prevents you from having to manually format the images in a web browser window.

How do I get the front and back of my ID on one page? 

Native phone scanners (like Apple Notes) default to putting the front on page one and the back on page two. To get them on a single page, use the ID Card Scanner mode inside Filodocs. It is programmed to take two separate captures and format them perfectly onto a single PDF sheet.

Does Filodocs require a subscription? 

No. Filodocs is free to download and free to use. There are no premium tiers, no watermarks, and no subscription required. For more details on tool availability, check the frequently asked questions.

Do I need internet access to scan my ID? 

You can use the image capture tools offline. However, processing that image into a PDF, or converting a PDF to a Word document using Filodocs, strictly requires an active internet connection.

Stop Fighting with File Formats

Getting a clean scan of a plastic ID card shouldn't require office equipment. If you just need to submit a form once, the scanner inside Apple Notes or Google Drive will do the job.

If you need the front and back formatted perfectly on one page, or you want the ability to convert those PDFs into editable Word documents right from your phone, get Filodocs. It is free on iOS and Android, requires zero account setup, and charges no subscription fees.