[Nick] Clegg offered to lead a "people's campaign" against the controversial measure, adding that he was prepared to be hauled before the courts.
Mr Clegg renewed his passport in May last year to avoid being placed on the new National Identity Register for another 10 years.
He said he would also be asking Lib Dem-controlled councils to ensure no local services required an ID card.
"If the government seeks to make ID cards compulsory on every British citizen, I will lead a people's campaign to thwart the programme," he said.
"I, and I expect thousands of people like me, will refuse to be forced to register.
"This is an issue that is so contrary to the spirit of British liberty and privacy that I would not be able to stand by.
"I am willing to do everything in my power to stop this intrusive, expensive and unnecessary imposition on the liberty of the British people."
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