The ID covers up to level 40. This should be more then enough time to setup any character along the basic Lawful or Unlawful path assuming he is not going to be a trader (in which case he should not have the civ ID anyway.
How about this to 'politley' push those that are well over 40 (saw a 53 the other day) into getting off their butts and get the proper ID.
Go by the IFF that they have. If you are a lawful and scan a Civ unlawful, treat him as a unlawful.
I can understand "working on your rep" but please, it does not take a week to get this done.
If you really decide that you want to get to a certain rep, it can be done within 2 days, tops.
(Had to do it with 3 characters, total time 4 days)