If you create a new ID.me account and try to verify your identity, you may see a 'You have an existing account' message. This means you've already verified your identity with a different account. You can only have one verified account. This article explains what to do if you have multiple accounts.
Existing (verified) account vs other accounts
- Existing (verified) account: The account you originally used to verify your identity.
- Other account: Any other account that you created more recently. None of these accounts can be used for verification since you already have a verified account.
Fixing multiple account issues
When you receive a message that you already have a verified account:
-
Check the email hint on the screen
Does it match an email you’ve used before (work, personal, school, etc.)? This is the email you need to sign in with. - If you recognize the email, select Sign in with the existing account.
- Enter the email address from the email hint, then your password.
- Select Sign in and follow the prompts.
I can’t sign in to my verified account
- Lost access to your email? You may still be able to sign in. Visit Signing in if you can’t access the email address on your account.
- Changed your phone number? Visit I changed my phone number.
- Not sure what the sign-in issue is? Visit I can’t sign in to my account.
Use the email that’s on my other account
Do you want to use the email from your other account on your verified account? Follow the steps in Using the email I want when it's on another account.
Troubleshoot existing account issues
I want to merge my accounts. Can I do that?
You can only merge accounts if you see a 'Merge accounts' button, like in the screen below. Not everyone has this option, and ID.me Support cannot merge accounts for you.
- If you get this screen and recognize the email: Select Merge accounts, then follow the prompts.
- If you have trouble after merging accounts: Visit Fixing issues after merging your ID.me accounts.
- If you see an "Existing ID.me account" screen: Check the email hint, and if you recognize the email, select Sign in with the existing account, then enter the email from the email hint, then your password.
I keep getting the "You have an existing account" message
This happens when you are signed in to your other account and try to verify your identity. To fix this:
- Select Return to sign in or go to the ID.me sign-in page.
- Enter the email address that was shown in the ‘You have an existing account’ email hint, then enter your password.
- Select Sign in and follow the prompts.
I don’t recognize the email address
If you don’t recognize the email in the email hint, or don’t remember creating the verified account, Contact ID.me Support.