18 U.S.C. Sec. 1028(D)(6) Definition of "Issuing Authority" is a legal definition that states that an "issuing authority" is a governmental agency or department that has the authority to issue identification documents, such as driver's licenses or other forms of identification. The types of issuing authorities under this section of the U.S. Code are state or local government agencies, departments, boards, or commissions, as well as any other entity that is authorized by state or local government to issue identification documents.