Well, there isn't a national ID system, partly because the citizens don't want to be on the wrong end of when that API says "no". I'm not sure anywhere has such a fully available live system, rather than relying on people bringing documents in to the bank.

The live update would add an extra element of terror to the system, of course.

Edit: actually the UK system is pretty much this, except it's a token rather than an API, presumably to prevent you looking up random people without their consent: https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work/get-a-share-code-onli...

Note that is for right to work, not right to reside, neither of which is the same thing as eligible for a bank account.

> The live update would add an extra element of terror to the system, of course.

Yes, I think I didn't do a good job of placing the question as from the perspective of someone who is not aware of the silos and firewalls within what might otherwise appear to be a monolithic government.

The terror to the system is from the perspective of having lived within the system and not understanding how to operate in the world outside of it. It is a classic sci-fi trope; Brazil and The Minority Report come to mind. It is also a feature of classical Athens where ostracism was a particularly severe punishment.