The identity cards were destroyed from the start of 1948 when the IRO issued new identity cards. This is why most of the DP identity cards preserved in the Arolsen Archives had been previously declared invalid, like this one. By writing “cancelled” or drawing a large X, UNRRA employees indicated that this identity card had been revoked. This could happen if a DP died, changed their name after marriage or lost their DP status, for example. When someone returned to their country of origin, emigrated or left the camp voluntarily for another reason – meaning they were officially no longer a DP – they had to hand in their identity card.