This brief goes beyond the widespread use of “inclusion” as a guiding principle for digital identity systems, particularly in relation to stateless people and those at risk of statelessness. While expanding access to identification is often seen as a pathway to rights and services, the report highlights that inclusion alone is not enough. For people whose nationality is unrecognized or in doubt, being added to an identity system may not improve their legal status—and, in some cases, may entrench existing forms of exclusion. The brief offers practical guidance for designing digital ID systems that support meaningful inclusion, including stronger civil registration, due process safeguards, and legal pathways to resolve nationality status. It encourages policymakers and implementers to integrate technical innovation with legal and institutional reforms, ensuring that identity systems support both individual dignity and broader goals of equity and access.