ID.me simplifies how individuals prove and share their identity online. The steps you take to verify depend on the partner you’re using ID.me to verify for. You might verify to:
- Access federal or state benefits and services.
- Access patient portals to manage your healthcare services or as a medical provider, to prescribe medications.
- Qualify for exclusive deals and discounts with ID.me partners.
- Submit a background check before starting a new job.
This article gives an overview of online identity verification with ID.me and where to get started to verify for an ID.me partner.
How ID.me protects your information
At ID.me, one of our top priorities is the security of user information. The systems that process and store user information are covered by security controls such as encryption, access controls, intrusion detection, and many others that are continuously monitored for effectiveness by our dedicated security team. To learn more, visit:
Identity verification overview
While the verification process can vary, depending on who you’re verifying for, the verification process follows this path:
- Start with the partner you’re verifying for - Go to the partner’s site and select Verify with ID.me to get started. For a list of ID.me partners, visit Identity Verification.
- Create your ID.me account - Use your email address, create a password, and confirm your email address. Keep in mind, you’re only allowed to have one verified account. To learn more, visit Can I have more than one ID.me account?
- Set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) - MFA strengthens account security by requiring an additional step during the sign-in process. While not all organizations require this, we always recommend setting up MFA to protect yourself. To learn more, visit Getting started with MFA.
Tip: We recommend adding at least two MFA methods, to help ensure you can always access your ID.me account. - Submit verification information - To prove your identity, you may need to take or upload a photo and enter your personal information.
What you’ll need to verify
During the verification process, you’ll create an ID.me account and provide information based on the partner you’re verifying for. This could include, but is not limited to:
- Mailing address, city, state, ZIP code, phone number
- Social Security number
- Selfie or video selfie
- Primary or Secondary identity documentation
Learn about ID.me's Biometric Data Privacy Policy.
ID.me verification methods
ID.me has several methods to verify your identity, including self-service, video calls, and in-person verification (IPV). Keep in mind, the methods you can use to verify depend on the partner you’re verifying for.
- Self-service - This is a self-guided process where you’ll submit the necessary information and documentation. This is the most common and fastest method members use to verify.
- Video call - During a video call, you’ll enter your information, upload documents and a selfie, if required, then wait for your documents to be reviewed. After your documents are approved, you’ll work with a Video Chat Agent to finish verifying your identity.
- In-person verification - ID.me works with select states to offer in-person verification at Identity Network Locations. To learn more, visit In-person verification and ID.me.
Help to verify your identity
If you need help while verifying, you can:
- Have a friend or family member help when verifying using self-service.
- Ask someone to assist you during a video call with a Video Chat Agent.
Get started with verification
To find steps to verify your identity for specific ID.me partners, visit Identity Verification.
To verify you're a member of a specific community (nurses, teachers, military, etc), visit Group Verification. By verifying you’re a member of a specific community, you can access discounts on ID.me Shop.