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Press card verification: how to check an FJA press card

Every FJA press card carries a personal card number and a QR code. Scanning the code with any phone camera opens a verification page run by the FJA itself on presscard-application.com. It shows the issuer, the holder’s name and photo, the card number, the validity period and whether the card is currently valid.

No app or login is needed. That makes the card quick to check for organisers, press officers, security staff and police – and it makes copies and forgeries easy to spot.

Apply for your press card How we check applications

FJA press card with card number and QR verification, sample data

How verification works

Three steps from scan to result.

Scan the QR code with a phone camera or QR reader.

Open the verification page for this specific card – its address always begins with presscard-application.com/v/.

Compare name, photo and validity with the card and the person in front of you.

The verification page is activated once the order has been paid, and the card is printed only after the application has been checked. If an order is cancelled or refunded, the page shows the card as not valid. A card that is genuine shows matching details on the verification page; an expired card shows that it is no longer valid. If the page does not open, shows different details or uses a different web address, treat the card with caution and contact us with the card number.

For organisers, press offices and security staff

What an FJA press card tells you – and what it does not.

What you can rely on

The holder is 18 or over and confirmed that they work journalistically
The application was reviewed by the FJA before printing
The card is valid if the verification page says so

What you still decide

Whether the person is covering your event for a specific outlet
Whether to grant access, accreditation or a press ticket
Which areas the person may enter

Our card is an association ID, not a UK Press Card or an official document.

Checking a UK Press Card instead

Different cards, different checks.

The UK Press Card issued through the UK Press Card Authority is checked differently: the UKPCA publishes a verification hotline (01430 456543) on its website, and each card carries the logo of the gatekeeper that issued it. If someone shows you a UK Press Card, use those channels. For the differences between the cards see the UK Press Card explained and press card comparison UK.

For card holders: keeping your card trustworthy

Your card is only as credible as its verification record.

Never lend it

The card is personal. The photo and name on the verification page must match you.

Report loss quickly

If your card is lost or stolen, report the loss in your customer area “My press card” straight away. The card is then blocked on its verification page, and you can order a replacement card there.

Watch the expiry date

After expiry the verification page shows the card as no longer valid. Order a new card in time: renewal.

Warning signs when checking a press card

Most cards you see will be genuine. These signs suggest a closer look is needed – whatever the issuer.

On the card

No issuer name, no expiry date or no way to verify the card
A photo that does not match the person in front of you
A QR code that does not scan or leads to an unrelated website
Spelling mistakes, blurred print or a laminated paper print-out

In the conversation

The holder cannot say which outlet they are working for
They insist on free entry or discounts “because of the card”
They refuse to wait while you check the card
They claim the card gives them special legal rights

A warning sign is not proof of misuse. If something seems wrong, ask friendly questions, check the verification result and decide according to your own accreditation rules. Please let us know if you come across an FJA card that is being misused – contact details are on our contact page.

Useful questions for organisers and security staff

A press card shows who someone is. These questions show what they are doing today.

Which outlet are you reporting for today, and is it a commission?
Have you registered with our press office or received an accreditation confirmation?
What do you plan to cover, and will you be filming or photographing?
Who is your editor or contact if we have questions afterwards?

Organisers decide who receives accreditation – a press card, from any issuer, is one piece of evidence among others. More on this in our guides to press accreditation and media passes.

What the FJA card is – and what it is not

Before you apply, it helps to know exactly where this card fits next to the UK Press Card.

What it is

A photo press card in English for people who work journalistically but fall outside the UK Press Card scheme: freelancers without union membership, photographers, bloggers, creators and people starting out.
Checked by a person before it is printed. Anyone can confirm it is genuine through the QR code on the card (how verification works).
A quick way to show organisers, press offices and venues who you are – alongside your published work and, ideally, a commissioning letter.

What it is not

It is not the UK Press Card. That card is issued only through the 22 gatekeepers of the UK Press Card Authority and is the press ID recognised by the UK police chiefs’ associations. If you qualify for it, get it.
It has no standing in the UKPCA scheme. The UKPCA warns that “press cards” sold by other organisations have no standing or value within its system. That is true for ours too: the FJA card is a separate, openly issued card and we never present it as a UK Press Card.
No card guarantees access. Police, organisers and press offices decide case by case. College of Policing guidance also lets officers accept a letter from your editor instead of a UK Press Card.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether a press card is real?

For an FJA press card, scan its QR code and compare the verification page with the card and the holder. For a UK Press Card, use the UKPCA verification hotline listed on presscards.co.uk.

Do I need an app to verify an FJA press card?

No. Any phone camera that reads QR codes will open the verification page in the browser.

What information is shown on the verification page?

The issuer, the holder’s name and photo, the issue date and the validity status of that card.

What if the QR code does not work?

Can someone copy the QR code onto a fake card?

A copied code would still show the original holder’s name and photo, so a mismatch is easy to spot. Always compare the photo on the verification page with the person.

Who runs the verification page?

The FJA runs the verification pages itself on presscard-application.com – there is no third-party verification service. A page is activated once the order has been paid and always shows the current status of the card.

What exactly does the verification page show?

It shows the information needed to check the card: the issuer, the holder’s name and photo, the issue date and whether the card is still valid. Details of what we process are in our privacy policy.

What should I do if a verification page looks different from what is described here?

Do not rely on it. Compare the web address with the one described on this page and contact us if in doubt. Fake verification pages are rare, but checking the address takes only seconds.

Can a card be checked without a smartphone?

Yes. If no phone is at hand, compare the name, photo and expiry date printed on the card with the person and their other ID, and note the card number. You can check the card number with us by email afterwards.

Can card holders hide their verification page?

No. The verification page is part of what makes the card trustworthy, so card holders cannot switch it off themselves. If you no longer want to use your card, simply stop using it and let us know.

Can I show my FJA press card on my phone?

Yes. The verification page of your card is also your digital press card. You can open it from your customer account under My press card and save it to your phone’s home screen. There you can also download a PDF with the front and back of your card. The digital press card supplements the printed card; organisers still decide for themselves whom they admit.

Sources and last review

UK Press Card Authority – home (verification hotline)
FJA press card sample – what the card and its verification page show

Written and reviewed by the FJA editorial team. Last reviewed: 23 October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.