Abstract: A method for issuing a credential includes scanning in documents (e.g., breeder or ID documents) used to verify the applicant of the credential and creating data records including the image of the documents. As a means to reduce fraud, these data records are linked to the credential and to the issuer location, operator and time and place of issuance. If the document includes machine readable information, the method automatically reads the machine readable information from the document and uses at least part of the machine readable information from the document to pre-populate a form used to create a credential, such as an identification document. The method includes applying a transformation to the image of the document that enables protection against fraudulent use. The transformation secures the image of the document from tampering and/or enables tracking of the use of the document image to deter fraud.

Abstract: The present invention provides steganographically embedded auxiliary data in motor vehicle documentation. The auxiliary data is used to authenticate the documentation or provide additional or redundant information pertaining to the documentation. Examples of such documentation are license plates, vehicle titles, insurance cards, registration cards and emissions documentation. In one implementation of the invention, a title document is digitally watermarked for authentication. The digital watermark may include a digital signature related to a buyer and a digital signature related to a seller. In another implementation, the transfer of motor vehicles is facilitated via digital watermarking. In still another implementation, a document includes two or more digital watermarks. The digital watermarks are intertwined with each other and at least one of the watermarks is intertwined with the document.