The Decentralized Identifier Working Group has published a First Public Working Draft of Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) v1.0. Decentralized identifiers (DIDs) are a new type of identifier for verifiable, decentralized digital identity. These new identifiers are designed to enable the controller of a DID to prove control over it and to be implemented independently of any centralized registry, identity provider, or certificate authority. DIDs are URLs that relate a DID subject to means for trustable interactions with that subject by way of a DID document. DID documents are simple documents that describe how to use that specific DID. Each DID document may express cryptographic material, verification methods, and/or service endpoints. These provide a set of mechanisms which enable a DID controller to prove control of the DID. Service endpoints enable trusted interactions with the DID subject.

This document specifies a common data model, a URL format, and a set of operations for DIDs, DID documents, and DID methods.