Immigrating to the United States has challenges, including establishing your digital identity. Verifying your identity using ID.me begins with having the required identification documents to prove you are who you say you are.
This article offers guidance on how to verify your digital identity if you are a new U.S. citizen, permanent U.S. resident, or if you have a nonimmigrant working visa.
Verify your identity
ID.me offers several ways to verify your identity. While the most common verification method is Self-Service, if you don’t have the necessary documents to verify using self-service, you can verify on an extended video call. How you get to a video call varies, depending on if you are missing the required documents or don’t have a Social Security Number.
I don’t have a photo ID or documents
A government-issued photo ID is required when verifying your identity using self-service. For example, a valid driver’s license, state ID, U.S. passport, or U.S. passport card to use self-service. If you don’t have this type of photo ID, you must complete verification on a video call. Review Documents you might have for documents you can use on a video call.
To begin verification, find the organization you’d like to verify for and try verifying using self-service.
If you don’t have a photo ID or necessary documents, if available, select I don't have a driver's license, state ID, passport, or passport card. You can then continue verifying on a video call.
I don’t have a Social Security Number
If you don’t have a Social Security Number, you might be able to get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). In some cases, you can use your ITIN to verify your identity in place of a Social Security Number.
To get started, find the organization you’d like to verify for and begin verifying with self-service. When you get to the Social Security step, select Continue by entering your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). For step-by-step instructions of this process, visit Using your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to verify.
Documents you might have
If you verify on a video call, there are other documents you can use to verify your identity. Newer U.S. citizen and permanent U.S. residents have successfully verified using the following primary or secondary documents:
Primary documents
- Permanent Residence Card or Green Card (for permanent U.S. residents)
- USCIS-issued Employment Authorization card
- Non-U.S. passport or nonimmigrant visas (You can submit a nonimmigrant visa during a video call if you don’t have a non-U.S. passport)
- National ID card
- Certificate of naturalization (for new U.S. citizens)
- Other government-issued IDs that have your name, date of birth, and photo ID. For example, Medicaid cards that include your photo qualify as a primary document.
Secondary documents
- Border crossing card (This can serve as a primary document if it includes your photo)
- Consular report of birth abroad
- NAP recipient certification
- University student photo ID
- Financial statements, utility bills, or pay stub
- Other government-issued IDs that have your name and date of birth, but don’t include a photo of you.
These documents must be uploaded and shown to an ID.me Video Chat Agent during your video call verification. For more details about these documents, visit Primary and secondary identification documents.
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.
Find organizations to verify for
As a new U.S. citizen or immigrant, you may need to access the IRS to file your taxes or verify for state benefits or services. Some federal and state organizations include:
- Federal agencies - For example, the Internal Revenue Service, 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, and other benefits and services.