To verify your identity on a video call with an ID.me Video Chat Agent, you will need to provide either primary documents or a combination of primary and secondary documents. ID.me follows NIST identity verification standards, which require specific documents to prove your identity.
This article outlines the accepted primary and secondary documents, as well as documents that are not accepted.
Documents you need
To verify on a video call, you will need at a minimum the following documents:
- Two primary identification documents, or
- One primary and one secondary document
Examples:
- Primary document: Driver's license, passport, or other government-issued photo
- Secondary document: Social Security card, utility bill, or vehicle registration
Additional documentation
In addition to the primary or secondary documents required above, you may need to provide additional documents for:
- Proving your Social Security number
- Proving your current address
- Proving a recent name change
For residents outside of the U.S., visit the Documents to verify if you live outside of the US for a list of required documents.
Primary documents
Primary documents directly prove your identity, and must include your name, photo, and date of birth.
Frequently used primary documents
| Document | Requirements and tips |
|---|---|
|
Driver’s license (U.S. state/territory or Canada) |
Your first and last name, date of birth, photo, valid expiration date, and Identification number.
Tip: An expired driver's license is acceptable for identity verification in some cases.
|
| Passport or passport card (U.S. or non-U.S.) |
Your first and last name, date of birth, photo, valid expiration date, and full Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) code (the alphanumeric code at the bottom of the photo page). |
| State ID (U.S. state or territory) |
Your first and last name, date of birth, photo, valid expiration date, and Identification number.
Tip: An expired state ID is acceptable for identity verification in some cases.
|
| Other government-issued photo IDs |
Your first and last name, date of birth, photo, valid expiration date, and Identification number. Military IDs, temporary, and paper documents are not accepted. |
| U.S. Permanent resident card |
Your first and last name, date of birth, photo, and valid expiration date. We accept I-551 form or paper extension I-797A if it says “approved” or “notice of receipt.” |
For a list of other acceptable primary documents, visit Other primary documents for identity verification.
Secondary documents
| Document | Requirements and tips |
|---|---|
|
U.S. Social Security card |
Your first and last name and full Social Security number. A full-color scan or PDF is acceptable.
Note: If you upload a picture of your Social Security card you will need to show the original physical document on the video call.
|
| U.S. Health insurance card |
Your first and last name, your insurer’s company name, and identification, policy, or card control number. Acceptable variations: Medical, dental, vision, Medicare, Medicaid, state cards, prescription cards, and temporary cards. |
| W-2 form |
Your first and last name, your address, and your employer’s company and address.
Note: If you’re using to prove your Social Security number, your full SSN must be present.
We also accept W-2C, W-2G, 499R-2 / W-2PR, etc. |
| U.S. Birth certificate with official seal |
Your first and last name, date of birth, place of birth, signature of the city, county, or state official, and a seal or stamp of the issuing authority (State, county, or city of birth). Other acceptable birth documents include abstract, amended, and delayed birth certificates, birth registration cards, verified transcripts of birth, and documents showing VOID watermarks.
Note: Hospital certificates are not acceptable.
|
|
Bank, loan, or financial Institution statement |
Your first and last name, your current address, at least four digits of identification, account, card, or customer number. Only statements issued or sent from a bank or financial institution are accepted. Other forms, like a letter, notification, or documents you complete yourself (deposit slip, application, etc.) aren’t accepted. Tips:
|
|
Pay stub |
Your first and last name, your employer or company’s name, your address or employer’s address. It must be an actual pay stub, not a paycheck and cannot be older than one year. Also, make sure all information in your pay stub is visible; don’t cross out information or alter the pay stub.
Note: If you’re using your pay stub to verify your address, your full home address must display on the stub.
|
|
Electric bill |
Your first and last name, your current address, the electric company’s name, and at least the last four digits of your identification, account, card, or customer number. Only bills from an electric company are acceptable. Other forms of communication, like letters or notifications, cannot be accepted. Tips:
|
For a list of other acceptable primary documents, visit Other secondary documents for identity verification.
Unacceptable documents
The following documents are not accepted for verification (this list is not exhaustive):
Photocopies, expired or voided documents, or digital IDs
- Photocopies of any primary documents and select secondary documents
- Expired or invalid documents (except in specific cases, such as expired driver’s licenses or state IDs)
- Documents that are temporary or voided
- Digital driver’s licenses or state IDs
Personal and financial forms
- W-4s
- 1040s
- Forms you fill out yourself, including tax forms
- Letters from banks
Employment or education documents
- Company employee ID cards (e.g., employee ID badges, building passes)
- Unofficial student records
Other documents
- Federal/government IDs such as a CAC card
- Unemployment documentation