> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://fairsharing.gitbook.io/fairsharing/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://fairsharing.gitbook.io/fairsharing/record-sections-and-fields/general-information/identifier-type.md).

# Identifier Type

{% hint style="info" %}
The identifier type field is applicable to our **database** registry only.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}
Providing the type of identifier system your database uses is **mandatory** for all database records.

*Please also see the general information regarding our* [*minimal curation requirements*](/fairsharing/record-sections-and-fields/how-to-update-a-record.md#minimal-curation-requirements)*.*
{% endhint %}

Unambiguous identification of database content is important both for alignment with the FAIR Principles and for referencing and attribution of individual datasets within a database.

FAIRsharing **requires** that each database record provide the type of identifier(s) used in one of two ways:

1. Add the standardised persistent identifier schema to your record via the [Relationships](/fairsharing/associated-records.md) tab with the ***implements*** relationship type. An example is [Dryad](https://doi.org/10.25504/FAIRsharing.wkggtx), which ***implements*** the [DOI](https://doi.org/10.25504/FAIRsharing.hFLKCn) identifier schema. The ***implements*** relationship should only be used for the IDs minted/created by the database. To use this option, your database will either mint these identifiers for a) all or b) some of its records. For example, if DOIs are only created upon request (as is the case for some institutional repositories), you may still add a relationship to DOIs.
2. Tick the box in the [General Information](/fairsharing/record-sections-and-fields/general-information.md) tab that confirms that the database uses an internal identifier schema, and therefore will not require a relationship to the appropriate identifier schema as outlined in item 1.  An example is [OpenBiodiv](https://fairsharing.org/3818), which uses internal identifiers such as <https://openbiodiv.net/5f324c6b-d93e-4ff4-b123-ba3f9e293d68>.

For more information on the identifier schemas registered with FAIRsharing, please see our [note on identifier schema records](/fairsharing/record-sections-and-fields/general-information/registry-type.md#a-note-on-identifier-schema-records).


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# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://fairsharing.gitbook.io/fairsharing/record-sections-and-fields/general-information/identifier-type.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.