The card is used for virtually all other activities that require identity verification within Taiwan such as opening bank accounts and voting.

In Taiwanese laws, household registration has close ties to exercise civil and political rights like a citizen (公民).

The Taiwanese laws makes a distinction between "nationals with household registration" (NWHR, 有戶籍國民) and "nationals without household registration" (NWOHR, 無戶籍國民), with the former having the right of abode, right to vote, and other benefits of citizenship, while the latter are subject to deportation from Taiwan and need an entry permit to visit Taiwan.

In 2024, new amendments to the Immigration Act passed in 2023 took effect, which dramatically loosened restrictions on children of NWHRs to establish household residency.

The Identification Card contains the holder's photo, ID number, Chinese name, and (Minguo calendar) date of birth.

The back of the card contains more detailed information, including the person's registered address where official correspondence is sent, as well as the names of his/her legal ascendant(s).

Male dual passport holders who register for household registration and the Identification Card also become eligible for military conscription within the Republic of China, unless the person has overseas resident status (僑居身分).

The letter usage is as follows: In 2023, the Taiwan Ministry of the Interior banned the use of mirror photos on national identification cards.