Chain code

Chain codes, a type of identification marker, served to identify and describe specific bio-metric characteristics of a person. They also detailed biographical data, such as age, family background, and criminal history. The chain code, sometimes called an Imperial I.D., comprised a series of numbers that displayed this information, with the last four digits indicating the subject's age. Because governments such as the New Republic were known to scan an individual's chain code before allowing passage on registered starships, criminals often remained hidden to prevent their code details from being shared.

The Bounty Hunters' Guild's enforcers utilized the information contained within these markers, gaining access to their targets' codes upon accepting assignments. Hunters employed tracking fobs, which were short-range sensors calibrated to a code's specific attributes and data. These fobs enabled a hunter to pinpoint a bounty and confirm their identity. Using a tracking fob effectively required an experienced hunter adept at information gathering and stalking. After capturing the target, whether dead or alive, Guild operatives would verify the body against the information in the chain code.

In practice, the Galactic Empire's implementation of chain codes on a galaxy-wide scale allowed the ruling authority to establish a comprehensive database of everyone in the galaxy. To register citizens within the chain code system, access to public shuttle transport and conversion of old Galactic Republic credits into Imperial currency required a chain code, compelling registration. Chain codes existed on datadiscs and a device was used to program them. The Empire set up Imperial Informational Stations in spaceports throughout the galaxy to facilitate this process. Initially, forging these codes was difficult but possible, becoming increasingly challenging over time. Even after the fall of the Empire, the New Republic, the Bounty Hunters' Guild, and Gideon's Imperial remnant continued to use chain codes. Therefore, the Empire's use of chain codes continued to have an impact during the New Republic Era.

As a form of identification during the Imperial Era, chain codes were introduced by Vice Admiral Edmon Rampart. During the early days of the Galactic Empire in 19 BBY, citizens of the newly formed regime were mandated to register for an Imperial I.D. to book passage off-world or exchange their Republic credits for Imperial credits. Unbeknownst to many, the Empire was compiling a catalog of its population to monitor their movements, backgrounds, and daily activities. While many assumed this information was safe with their new government, some later regretted this trust when it was used against them in fabricated legal charges. Due to this new rule, clone deserter Cut Lawquane and his family needed assistance from Clone Force 99 to create forged chain codes so they could book passage off of Saleucami. Clone Force 99 later forged multiple chain codes to trade with the Vanguard Axis, but the deal failed due to an altercation with the Wookiee Padawan Gungi.

Over time, chain codes became more challenging to counterfeit. Around 16 BBY, bounty hunter Boba Fett's chain code was encoded into a set of Mandalorian armor previously worn by his father, Jango Fett. This code, written in the Mando'a script, contained information on the Fetts and Jango's mentor. During the Imperial reign, Bothans created fake chain codes that were implanted into Aqualish by Nautolan doctors. Imperial administration files contained large, empty strings of chain codes. The only information attached to these files indicated that the chain codes were initially assigned to an individual but later deemed obsolete with the tag "subject purged, code redundant."

As the Empire intended, chain codes became ubiquitous, and an Imperial I.D. became necessary for many activities, even those not directly controlled by the government. For example, registration at private learning institutions required verification of an applicant's chain code. This caused issues at the University of Bar'leth for incoming Alcedian student Kho Phon Farrus, whose name did not match the one on their I.D. Chelli Lona Aphra, another student, resolved the issue by convincing the registrar that the discrepancy was a clerical error. Criminal organizations, such as Crimson Dawn, also used chain codes, requiring their agents to present their I.D.s before boarding the syndicate's flagship, the Vermillion. However, not everyone followed Imperial precedent; for example, the Garkata Fighting Arena on Nar Shaddaa did not verify participants' chain codes.

Even though the Empire introduced the practice, the New Republic continued to use chain codes during its reign. In 9 ABY, the Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin was hired by an Imperial remnant to find the Force-sensitive infant Grogu. The chain code given to Djarin was incomplete, only specifying the child's age, but the hunter located the infant on the planet Arvala-7 after receiving Grogu's last known location. Later, Djarin's ally, Magistrate Greef Karga, was prevented from entering a city on the planet Nevarro until he presented his chain code to a persistent scout trooper. Karga handed over a small card, which the scout trooper scanned with a rod-like device.

Cara Dune, a former shock trooper of the Alliance to Restore the Republic, committed several crimes after the Galactic Civil War that would result in life sentences if the New Republic apprehended her. Aware of the consequences of her chain code being scanned, she chose to remain hidden on Outer Rim worlds, such as Sorgan, to avoid prosecution. After liberating Nevarro from Imperials with Djarin and Karga, the magistrate offered Dune a position as his enforcer, promising to resolve any "clerical concerns" related to her chain code. After accepting Karga's offer, Dune became a deputized marshal of the New Republic.

Years after his chain code was first encoded into his [armor](/article/armor], the mercenary Boba Fett sought to reclaim his father's equipment, which Din Djarin possessed at that point. Djarin strongly opposed returning the armor to Fett, as the Mandalorian Creed dictated that it rightfully belonged to the Mandalorian people. To convince the hunter that his claim to the armor was valid, Fett showed Djarin his chain code on the planet Tython, proving that Fett was of Mandalorian heritage.

Chain codes were initially mentioned in the first episode of The Mandalorian, a Disney+ television series created by Jon Favreau. The codes are mentioned several times during the first season, and later shown onscreen as a hologram of Boba Fett's code in the sixth episode of the show's second season. Chain codes are similar to real-world Social Security numbers in the United States.