Primary and secondary identification documents – ID.me Help Center

Primary and secondary documents are types of identification documents you must present when verifying your identity on a video call with an ID.me Video Chat Agent. ID.me follows NIST-compliant identity verification standards. This article explains what documents are acceptable and unacceptable during an ID.me video call.

Documents you will need

To verify your identity on a video call, you will need:

Two primary identification documents or
One primary and one secondary document

You may need to provide additional documentation:

To prove your Social Security number
To prove your current address
If your name has changed

For example, you can usually verify your identity by presenting your driver's license or state ID, along with a utility bill and Social Security card.

Note: If you are verifying using Self-Service instead of on a video call, you will only need to provide a driver’s license, state ID, passport or passport card.

I live outside the United States

If you live outside of the United States, you must take specific steps to verify your identity. For a list of documents you can submit for verification, visit Documents to verify if you live outside of the US.

Document best practices

Make sure to follow our tips for taking a good photo of documents from your smartphone.

Keep in mind:

When uploading your document, ensure the document type you select matches the document you upload.
We recommend submitting at least one document showing your current address.
You must display all four corners of your document during the video call for ID.me to accept it as valid.
Documents in non-English languages are acceptable as long as they have English translations on the document, for example “Nombre / Name.”

Primary documents

The following Primary documents must be physically presented on your call with your Video Chat Agent:

Document	Document requirements and tips
Driver’s license or learner's permit from a U.S. state or territory	Document Requirement First and last name Date of birth Photo Valid expiration date Identification number Tips Licenses that expired in the last 12 months can be presented with documentation of renewal/extension or a temporary ID from the DMV. Your renewal/extension and expired ID must also be uploaded in order to be accepted. Temporary paper driver’s licenses are accepted on their own, as long as they include your photo and a temporary expiration date. Paper Learner’s Permits are not accepted.
Other government-issued photo IDs	Document Requirement First and last name Date of birth Photo Identification number Note: Military IDs, temporary, and paper documents are not accepted.
State-issued photo ID	Document Requirement First and last name Date of birth Photo Identification number Tips IDs that expired in the last 12 months can be presented with documentation of renewal/extension or a temporary ID from the DMV. Your renewal/extension and expired ID must also be uploaded in order to be accepted. Temporary paper state IDs are accepted on their own, as long as they include your photo and a temporary expiration date.
U.S. Passport	Document Requirement First and last name Date of birth Photo Valid expiration date Full Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) code must be visible
U.S. Passport card	Document Requirement First and last name Date of birth Photo Valid expiration date Full Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) code must be visible Note: You must upload the front and back of your U.S. Passport Card.
U.S. Permanent resident card	Document Requirement First and last name Date of birth Photo Valid expiration date Note: We accept form I-551 or paper extension I-797A if it says 'approved' or 'notice of receipt'.
USCIS-issued employment authorization card	Document Requirement First and last name Date of birth Photo Valid expiration date Note: We don’t accept employer-issued ID cards.
Non-U.S. Passport	Document Requirement Must include: First and last name Date of birth Photo Valid expiration date Full Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) code must be visible
Veterans health ID card	Document Requirement Must include: First and last name Photo Note: Veterans insurance cards cannot be used. The Veterans Health ID Card has a photo and must be issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
DHS trusted traveler cards	Document Requirement First and last name Date of birth Photo Valid expiration date Full Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) code Note: We accept cards issued via Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI.
Canadian driver’s license	Document Requirement First and last name Date of birth Photo Valid expiration date Identification number
Certificate of naturalization	Document Requirement First and last name Photo - It must be a recent photo of yourself Note: We also accept forms N-550, N-560, N-561, and N-570.
National ID card	Document Requirement First and last name Date of birth Photo Valid expiration date
Federally recognized, Tribal-issued photo ID	Document Requirement First and last name Date of birth Photo Valid expiration date
Prison/inmate ID	Document Requirement First and last name Date of birth Valid expiration date (if applicable) Federal, state, or local issuing authority Tips You must upload the front and back of your ID Parole IDs and prison release IDs are also acceptable Color scans and PDFs are acceptable.

Secondary documents

Full-color scans and PDFs are acceptable

You can present full-color scans and PDFs of the following acceptable secondary documents:

Document	Document requirements and tips
U.S. Social Security card	Document Requirement First and last name Full Social Security number Note: If you have chosen to use a Social Security Card as one of your secondary documents, you must present your original Social Security Card document during your Video Verification call.
U.S. DHS Certification of Birth Abroad (FS-545)	Document Requirement First and last name Date of birth Issued by the U.S. Department of State
U.S. DoS certification of report of birth	Document Requirement First and last name Date of birth Issued by the U.S. Department of State
Consular report of birth abroad	Document Requirement First and last name Date of birth Must have an official seal/stamp

Full-color or black and white scans, and PDFs are acceptable

You can present full-color or black and white scans and PDFs of the following acceptable secondary documents:

Document	Document requirements and tips
U.S. Health insurance card	Document Requirement First and last name Insurer’s company name Identification, policy, or card control number Note: Acceptable variations include medical, dental, vision, Medicare, Medicaid, state cards, prescription cards, and temporary cards.
U.S. birth certificate with official seal	Document Requirement First and last name Date of birth Place of birth Signature of the city, county, or state official Seal or stamp of the issuing authority (State, county, or city of birth) Note: Abstract birth certificates, amended birth certificates, delayed birth certificates, birth registration cards, verified transcripts of birth, and documents showing VOID watermarks.
W-2 form	Document Requirement First and last name of employee Employee address Employer company and address For tax forms, last four digits of your Social Security number or full SSN if being used to verify SSN. Note: We also accept W-2C, W-2G, 499R-2 / W-2PR, etc.
1098 form	Document Requirement First and last name Member address For tax forms, last four digits of your Social Security number or full SSN if being used to verify SSN. Note: We also accept forms 1098-C, 1098-E, 1098-F, 1098-MA, 1098-T, 1098-Q, Form 480.6, 480.7, etc.
Auto Insurance Card	Document Requirement First and last name Auto insurance provider name Valid expiration date At least four digits of identification, account, card, policy or customer number Note: Acceptable variation includes temporary evidence of insurance.
Vehicle Registration / Title	Document Requirement First and last name Name of issuing organization. (e.g. DMV) Includes “Registration” or “Title”
Border crossing card	Document Requirement First and last name Date of birth Valid expiration date Full Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) code
Canadian Indian and Northern affairs card	Document Requirement First and last name Date of birth Valid expiration date
College or university student photo ID	Document Requirement First and last name Name of educational institution Student ID number or photo Note: It must be from the current academic year.
College or university transcript	Document Requirement First and last name Name of educational institution Date of birth or Student ID number Note: It can be from the current or previous academic year.
CP565 notice	Document Requirement First and last name Full Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
DOD certificate of discharge	Document Requirement First and last name Date of birth Full Social Security number Note: We also accept Release DD-214, DD-256 or NGB-22.
Auto or home insurance statement	Document Requirement First and last name Insurance provider name At least the last four digits of your identification, account, card, policy, or customer number. Valid expiration date (if included) Note: Temporary evidence of insurance is acceptable.
Letter attesting state residency	Document Requirement First and last name Institution or agency name Staff name or signature Note: To learn more, visit Requesting a letter to prove state residency.
SNAP recipient certification	Document Requirement First and last name Tips Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) documents Certificación de beneficiario del Programa de Asistencia Nutricional (ADSEF) is an acceptable variation.
Native American tribal document	Document Requirement First and last name Native American tribe name
Non SSA-1099 form	Document Requirement First and last name Address Note: We also accept 1099-DIV, 1099-MISC, etc.
SSA-1099 form	Document Requirement First and last name Address Note: We also accept 1099-SM,1099-R-OP1, etc.
U.S. or U.S. territory voter registration card or certificate	Document Requirement First and last name Issuing authority name Voter number or photo (except for state of Indiana) Valid expiration date (if applicable) Tips Documents from all US territories (American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands) are acceptable. Mailers or cards reminding you to vote are not acceptable.
U.S. Coast Guard merchant mariner card	Document Requirement First and last name Date of birth Photo Valid expiration date
U.S. Citizen ID card form	Document Requirement First and last name Identification number Photo Note: Must be issued from the United States Department of Justice or Immigration and Naturalization Services.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Puerto Rico recipient certification	Document Requirement First and last name Date of birth Seal of the government of Puerto Rico Note: The title of the document may be "Certificacion Negativa de Caso de Pension Alimentaria"

Secondary documents (One year limit)

Full-color scans or black and white scans, photocopies, and PDFs are acceptable

These secondary identification documents must include the information listed below.

Document	Document requirements and tips
Bank, loan, or financial institution statement	Document Requirement First and last name Your current address Bank of financial institution name At least four digits of identification, account, card, or customer number Statement or due date cannot be from more than one year ago. You may not submit any document you complete yourself (e.g. a deposit slip, application, etc.) Must be issued/sent from a bank or financial institution. Must be a statement, and not some other form of communication (e.g. a letter, notification, etc.) Tips Statements that say Final notice, past due, etc. are acceptable. If you are using your Social Security Number as your personal identifiable information (PII), your statement must include your full Social Security Number.
Medical bill	Document Requirement First and last name Your current address Medical provider name At least the last four digits of your identification, account, card, guarantor, invoice, or customer number Statement or due date cannot be from more than one year ago. Must have been issued/sent from your medical provider Must be a bill, and not some other form of communication (e.g. an explanation of benefits, insurance application, etc.) Tips Statements that say Final notice, past due, etc. are acceptable. Veterinarian bills are acceptable
Pay stub	Document Requirement First and last name Employer or company name Your address or your employer’s address Statement or due date cannot be from more than one year ago. Must be an actual pay stub, not a paycheck Note: If you’re using your pay stub to verify your address, your full home address must display on the stub.
Utility bills (Cable, Electric, Gas, Internet, Phone, Water)	Document Requirement First and last name Your current address Utility company’s name At least the last four digits of your identification, account, card, or customer number. Statement or due date cannot be from more than one year ago. Must come from a utility company: either electric, phone, cable, internet, water, gas, or waste/sewage management. Must be a bill, and not some other form of communication (e.g. a letter, notification, etc.) Note: Statements that say Final notice, past due, etc. are acceptable.

Unacceptable documents

You cannot use the following documents for verification:

Document	Notes
Photocopies of original documents attesting state residency	-
Expired or invalid documents	Except in scenarios specified above. In some cases, you can use an expired Driver’s license or State ID.
Company employee ID cards	We also do not accept employee ID badges, building passes, etc.
Digital Driver’s license or state IDs	-
Documents that are temporary	-
Documents that are voided	-
Forms you fill out yourself	Including tax forms
Letters from banks	-
Unemployment documentation	-
Unofficial student records	-