---
title: persistentReference
framework: Collaboration
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Property
platforms: [macOS 10.5+]
path: collaboration/cbidentity/persistentreference
---

# persistentReference

Returns a persistent reference to store a reference to an identity.

## Declaration

```swift
var persistentReference: Data? { get }
```

## Return Value

Return Value A data object that uniquely references an identity.

## Discussion

Discussion A persistent reference data object is an object generated from an identity. Persistent data objects can be written to and read from a file, making them extremely useful for storing identities in an ACL.