ALIAS DOCUMENTATION USED IN THE UNITED STATES

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 01434901
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: August 7, 2017
• Case Number: F-2007-00094
• Publication Date: January 20, 1975

Approved for Release: 2017/01/18 C01434901
20 January 1975
ALIAS DOCUMENTATION USED IN THE UNITED STATES
A. INTRODUCTION
1. Basic to the conduct of intelligence operations and activities
is the need to conceal the true identity of both the intelligence of-
ficer (or agent) involved and the organization he represents. The only
effective means for achieving a satisfactory degree of concealment is
to provide the officer with an alias name which must be supported by ap-
propriate documentation identifying him as the individual he purports to
be during the course of his specific operational assignment. The types
and numbers of documents required to maintain his false identity depend
upon a variety of factors, including the sophistication and sensitivity
of those with whom the officer will be in contact, the period of time
required to maintain the false identity for contact purposes during a
particular operation, and the extent to which the officer's purported
identity and the organization with which he ostensibly is affiliated
will need to be, or are expected to be, verified by any of his contacts.
2. Within the United States, documents used to support an alias
identity are almost exclusively of United States origin; in rare cases
documents of ostensible foreign origin may be used to support a foreign
alias identity, if necessary for the particular contact to be made.
B. DEFINITIONS
1, Official Documents -- Those of U.S. Federal, State and local
governmental agencies which support an ostensible relationship with
the alias bearer. Examples are: Federal agency identification cards
or credentials, State drivers licenses, community public library cards.
2. Nonofficial Documents -- Those of private organizations or com-
panies which support an ostensible relationship with the alias bearer.
Examples are: professional and non-professional clubs or associations,
bank cards, auto insurance cards, credit cards, business calling cards.
3. Backstopped Documents -- Those issued by or on behalf of a bona
fide sponsor (official or nonofficial) who is knowledgeable of the is-
suance and is prepared to verify to any inquirer the alleged relation-
ship with the alias bearer.
SECRET/ SENSITIVE
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4, Non-backstopped Documents -- Those purported to be issued by
a bona fide sponsor or issued on behalf of an apparently bona fide but
actually fictional sponsor. Non-backstopped documents cannot be verified
since the bona fide purported sponsor is not aware of their use and the
fictional sponsor is non-existent.
5. Flash Identification -- A term applied to non-backstopped docu-
ments and meaning that the documents are shown (flashed) to substantiate
the bearer's alias identity on occasions when verification of the docu-
ment normally would not be expected. Officers are advised at the time
of issuance of any non-backstopped documents that these are to be used
for flash identification purposes only.
6. Ftocket Litter -- A generic term applied to a variety of supple-
mentary non-backstopped documents used as independent flash credentials
or to support other backstopped documents issued to an alias bearer.
C. TYPES OF DOCUMENTS IN USE
The following categories of alias U.S. documentation are available
for issuance in response to valid operational requirements:
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7(b)(1)
3)
(b)(
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D, MUCUS ON DOCUMENT ACQUISITION AND USAGE
1. Backstopped official documents are issued only with the knowledge
and approval of the ostensible sponsor who provides valid documpritc for
this purpose.
2. Backstopped nonofficial documents are used with the knowledge and
approval of the ostensible sponsor but the true name of the alias user is
never identified.,
3. Non-backstopped official documents involve primarily notional U.S.
Government organization credentials alleging a relationship between the
alias bearer and a fictional U.S. Government organization.
W11111.10
4
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(b)(1)
(b)(3)
E. DOCUMENTATION SAFEGUARDS
SECThIrrTSfilE
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F. ACTIVITIES REQUIRING DOCUMENT USE
SECRET/SENS
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