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What is a Primary or Secondary Identification Document?

Primary and secondary documents are types of identification documents you'll need to present when you verify your identity 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 the ID.me Video Verification process.

Documents you will need

To verify your identity through the ID.me Video Verification process, you may choose between:

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.

Keep in mind:

You may need to provide additional documentation:

If your Driver’s License or state ID has expired in the last 12 months, you will need to upload your temporary license or ID, along with the expired document.

Note: If you are verifying using self-service instead of Video Verification, you will only need to provide a Driver’s license, State ID, Passport or Passport Card.

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 Notes

Driver’s License or Learner's Permit from a U.S. state or territory
  • 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.
  • Paper Learner's Permits are not accepted.
Other Government-issued Photo IDs Military IDs, temporary and/or paper documents are not accepted.
State-issued Photo ID

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.
U.S. Passport -
U.S. Passport Card You must upload the front and back of your U.S. Passport Card.
U.S. Permanent Resident Card We accept form I-551 or paper extension I-797A if it says 'approved' or 'notice of receipt'.
USCIS-issued Employment Authorization Card We don’t accept employer-issued ID cards.
Non-U.S. Passport -
Veterans Health ID Card 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 We accept cards issued by Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI.
Canadian Driver’s License -
Certificate of Naturalization We accept forms N-550 or N-570.
National ID Card Only for people who reside outside of the U.S. and have a non-U.S. address.
Federally recognized, Tribal-issued Photo ID -

Secondary documents

Full-color scans and PDFs are acceptable

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

Document Notes

Social Security Card

 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. DoD Certificate of Birth Abroad -
U.S. DoS Certification of Report of Birth

-
Consular Report of Birth Abroad -

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 Notes
U.S. Health Insurance Card -
U.S. Birth Certificate with official seal -
W-2 Form We also accept W-2C, W-2G, 499R-2 / W-2PR, etc.
1098 Form 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 -
Border Crossing Card -
Canadian Indian and Northern Affairs card -
College or University Student Photo ID It must be from the current academic year.
College or University Transcript It can be from the current or previous academic year. Your date of birth or Student ID number must be on the transcript.
DOD Certificate of Discharge We also accept Release DD214, DD256 or NGB 22.
Auto or home insurance statement The statement must include the last four digits of your identification, account, card, policy, or customer number.
Letter attesting state residency Learn how to request a Letter attesting state residency.
NAP Recipient Certification Certificación de beneficiario del Programa de Asistencia Nutricional (ADSEF).
Native American tribal document -
Non SSA-1099 Form We also accept 1099-DIV, 1099-MISC, etc.
SSA-1099 Form We also accept 1099-SM,1099-R-OP1, etc.
U.S. or U.S. Territory Voter Registration Card or Certificate -
U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card -
U.S. Citizen ID Card Form -
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Puerto Rico recipient certification -

Secondary documents (90 day limit)

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

These secondary identification documents:

  • Cannot be older than 90 days
  • Must display your full name, current address, and account number, except for pay stubs
  • Must display any other information listed below
Document Notes
Bank, Loan, or Financial Institution statement
  • You may not submit any document you complete yourself (e.g. a deposit slip, application, etc.)
  • It must have been issued/sent from a bank or financial institution.
  • It must be a statement, and not some other form of communication (e.g. a letter, notification, etc.)
  • It must have at least the last four digits of your identification, account, card, or customer number.
  • Your full name (as you entered it during identity verification) must be present.
  • Your current address (as you entered it during identity verification) must be present.

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
  • It must have been issued/sent from your medical provider.
  • It must be a bill, and not some other form of communication (e.g. an explanation of benefits, insurance application, etc.)
  • It must have at least the last four digits of your identification, account, card, or customer number.
  • Your full name (as you entered it during identity verification) must be present.
  • Your current address (as you entered it during identity verification) must be present.
Pay stub
  • It must be an actual pay stub, not a paycheck
  • If you’re using your pay stub to verify your address, the full address must display on the stub.
Utility bills (Cable, Electric, Gas, Internet, Phone, Water)
  • It must come from a utility company: either electric, phone, cable, internet, water, gas, or waste/sewage management.
  • It must be a bill, and not some other form of communication (e.g. a letter, notification, etc.)
  • If your service has been turned off or interrupted, the account must still show as open.
  • It must have at least the last four digits of your identification, account, card, or customer number.
  • Your full name (as you entered it during identity verification) must be present.
  • Your current address (as you entered it during identity verification) must be present if you’re using the document to verify your address.

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 -
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