Reintegration into the community after being incarcerated presents challenges, including re-establishing and taking control of your digital identity. Verifying your identity using ID.me begins with having the necessary identification documents to prove you are who you say you are.
This article offers guidance on what you will need, agencies you can contact if you don’t have the necessary documents, and what steps to take to begin verifying your digital identity.
Verify your identity
ID.me offers several ways to verify your identity. The most common is self-service, where you are guided through the identity verification process on a smartphone or computer. The identification documents you need are determined by the verification method you use:
- Self-service - Requires a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or passport card. These are considered primary documents.
- Video call - The documents you upload depend on if you verify on a video call or short video call. The video call you attend is determined by the partner you verify for. You will upload documents, then show them to an ID.me Video Chat Agent.
Find ID.me partners to verify for
With ID.me, you can verify your identity for various state and federal agencies so you can apply for or access essential benefits and services. Some ID.me partners include:
- Federal agencies - The Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration, Treasury Department, and more.
- State agencies - ID.me works with many state agencies so you can securely verify your identity and apply for unemployment insurance.
I don’t have the required documents
You must have a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID to verify your identity. Expired driver’s licenses, state IDs, passports, and passport cards are not accepted, except if you have a renewal document. To apply for a photo ID, you will need specific identification documents. These documents can include, but are not limited to:
- Birth certificate - This document is usually needed to get an ID and do other things, like open a bank account or apply for jobs. Learn how to get a copy of your birth certificate.
- Social Security card - This is also needed to work and apply for benefits and services. Learn how to apply for a Social Security card for the first time or replace your card.
For tips to apply for a government-issued photo ID, visit Applying for government-issued photo identification.
I don’t have proof of my address
You need to show proof of your address to verify your identity. To show proof of address, submit any document that has your name and address on it. Common documents include a bank statement, utility bill, medical bill, paystub, W-2, or driver’s license.
If your document has your address, but not your name, you must submit a linking document. This helps prove your address by confirming the relationship between you and the person’s name who is on the document.
If the document has your address, but doesn’t have your current legal name, submit a name change document. This is a document that shows the link between your former and current name.
I don’t have a permanent address
If you don’t have a permanent address, request a Letter Attesting State Residency (LASR). This letter proves you reside at a particular address.