Primary and secondary documents are types of identification documents you'll need to present when you verify 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 through the ID.me Video Verification process, you may choose between:
-
Two primary identification documents, OR
-
One primary and two secondary identification documents.
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 name has changed
- To prove your Social Security number
- To prove your current address
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.
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
Tips
|
Other government-issued photo IDs |
Document Requirement
Note: Military IDs, temporary, and paper documents are not accepted. |
State-issued photo ID |
Document Requirement
Tips
|
U.S. Passport |
Document Requirement
|
U.S. Passport card |
Document Requirement
Note: You must upload the front and back of your U.S. Passport Card. |
U.S. Permanent resident card |
Document Requirement
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
Note: We don’t accept employer-issued ID cards. |
Non-U.S. Passport |
Document Requirement Must include:
|
Veterans health ID card |
Document Requirement Must include:
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
Note: We accept cards issued via Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI. |
Canadian driver’s license |
Document Requirement
|
Certificate of naturalization |
Document Requirement
Note: We also accept forms N-550, N-560, N-561, and N-570. |
National ID card |
Document Requirement
|
Federally recognized, Tribal-issued photo ID |
Document Requirement
|
Prison/inmate ID |
Document Requirement
Tips
|
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 |
---|---|
Social Security card |
Document Requirement
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. DoD certificate of birth abroad |
Document Requirement
|
U.S. DoS certification of report of birth |
Document Requirement
|
Consular report of birth abroad |
Document Requirement
|
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
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
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
Note: We also accept W-2C, W-2G, 499R-2 / W-2PR, etc. |
1098 form |
Document Requirement
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
Note: Acceptable variation includes temporary evidence of insurance. |
Vehicle Registration / Title |
Document Requirement
|
Border crossing card |
Document Requirement
|
Canadian Indian and Northern affairs card |
Document Requirement
|
College or university student photo ID |
Document Requirement
Note: It must be from the current academic year. |
College or university transcript |
Document Requirement
Note: It can be from the current or previous academic year. |
DOD certificate of discharge |
Document Requirement
Note: We also accept Release DD-214, DD-256 or NGB-22. |
Auto or home insurance statement |
Document Requirement
Note: Temporary evidence of insurance is acceptable. |
Letter attesting state residency |
Document Requirement
Note: To learn more, visit Requesting a letter to prove state residency. |
NAP recipient certification |
Document Requirement First and last name Tips
|
Native American tribal document |
Document Requirement
|
Non SSA-1099 form |
Document Requirement
Note: We also accept 1099-DIV, 1099-MISC, etc. |
SSA-1099 form |
Document Requirement
Note: We also accept 1099-SM,1099-R-OP1, etc. |
U.S. or U.S. territory voter registration card or certificate |
Document Requirement
Tips
|
U.S. Coast Guard merchant mariner card |
Document Requirement
|
U.S. Citizen ID card form |
Document Requirement
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
Note: The title of the document may be "Certificacion Negativa de Caso de Pension Alimentaria" |
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 | Document requirements and tips |
---|---|
Bank, loan, or financial institution statement |
Document Requirement
Tips
|
Medical bill |
Document Requirement
Tips
|
Pay stub |
Document Requirement
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
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 | - |