First Public Working Draft: Verifiable Credential Barcodes v1.0

Verifiable Credential Barcodes v1.0

https://www.w3.org/TR/2026/WD-vc-barcodes-1.0-20260416/

Published by
 Verifiable Credentials Working Group

Abstract

This specification describes a mechanism to protect optical barcodes, such as those found on driver's licenses (PDF417) and travel documents (MRZ), using Verifiable Credentials [VC-DATA-MODEL-2.0]. The Verifiable Credential representations are compact enough such that they fit in under 150 bytes and can thus be integrated with traditional two-dimensional barcodes that are printed on physical cards using standard printing processes.

Status of the Document

This section describes the status of this document at the time of its publication. A list of current W3C publications and the latest revision of this technical report can be found in the W3C standards and drafts index. 

This specification is experimental. 

This document was published by the Verifiable Credentials Working Group as a First Public Working Draft using the Recommendation track.

Publication as a First Public Working Draft does not imply endorsement by W3C and its Members.

This is a draft document and may be updated, replaced, or obsoleted by other documents at any time. It is inappropriate to cite this document as other than a work in progress.

This document was produced by a group operating under the W3C Patent Policy. W3C maintains a public list of any patent disclosures made in connection with the deliverables of the group; that page also includes instructions for disclosing a patent. An individual who has actual knowledge of a patent that the individual believes contains Essential Claim(s) must disclose the information in accordance with section 6 of the W3C Patent Policy.

This document is governed by the 18 August 2025 W3C Process Document.

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Received on Thursday, 16 April 2026 06:49:37 UTC