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.
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
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 |
---|---|
U.S. 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. DHS Certification of Birth Abroad (FS-545) |
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. |
CP565 notice |
Document Requirement
|
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. |
SNAP 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 (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
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 | - |