Method and system for preparing and issuing an identification token

摘要

A system for preparing, personalizing and issuing identification tokens comprises at least one blank manufacturing station ( 12) and at least one personalization station (16). A trusted third party centre ( 14) is independent of the manufacturing stations and the personalization stations. The trusted third party centre comprises an asymmetric encryption processor (37) for generating for each blank manufactured by a manufacturing station, respective first encrypted data to be applied to the blank. The first encrypted data comprises at least data relating to an intended one of the personalization stations (16) authorized to personalize the blank on behalf of a registration authority. Subsequently and in a supply chain, the blank is received at a receiving personalization station. The first encrypted data is decrypted and the personalization station is authorized to personalize the blank, for example to emboss the blank with a vehicle registration number, only if the decrypted data relating to the intended personalization station corresponds to the receiving personalization station.