Primary and secondary identification documents
During a video call, you must submit certain documents and show them to an agent. This article lists which documents are accepted and which ones are not.
Documents you need for a video call
During a video call, you'll need either two primary documents, or one primary and one secondary document.
- Primary documents include a driver's license, passport, or other government-issued photo ID.
- Secondary documents include a Social Security card, utility bill, or vehicle registration.
You may also need to provide documents proving your Social Security number, current address, or a recent name change, depending on your situation.
If you live outside of the U.S. and have a Social Security number, visit Verifying if you live outside of the U.S. and have an SSN 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. |
| State ID (U.S. state or territory) | Your first and last name, date of birth, photo, valid expiration date, and Identification number. |
| Expired driver’s license or state ID (U.S. state/territory) |
An expired driver’s license or state ID is acceptable if it expired within the last 12 months and you also upload a renewal, extension, or temporary license or ID. When you choose your documents during verification, select Expired U.S. State Driver’s License. A renewal, extension, or temporary license or state ID is accepted if it:
|
| 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). |
| Other government-issued photo IDs |
Your first and last name, date of birth, photo, valid expiration date, and Identification number. Military IDs, temporary IDs, 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. When uploading images of your Social Security card during a video call, a full-color scan or PDF is acceptable.
Note: If you submit 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 prove 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 secondary 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)
Other documents
- Federal/government IDs such as a CAC card
- Unemployment documentation