Saving and uploading documents from your computer

When creating a digital copy of your document on your computer, you can upload a scanned file, an electronic statement, or a photo of your document. 

For guidance on each, select from the following:

• Steps with a scanner
• Steps with an electronic statement
• Steps with a photo of your document 

You can also create a digital copy of your document with a smartphone.

Save and upload documents with a scanner

1. Look for the Scan or Start Scan button on the scanner. Press that button to begin scanning your document.

2. After your scanner is finished scanning, you should receive a notice on the connected computer. This notice may give you options for what to do with your scanned document.

3. For any of the following documents, make sure to scan the reverse side as well.

   • Driver’s License

   • State-issued Photo ID

   • U.S. Passport Card

4. Select Save or Save as to store the digital copy of your document onto the computer. Give your document an appropriate file name and pick a location on your computer that you will remember (e.g., ‘Desktop’ or ‘Documents’). If given the option, choose to save your document as a .pdf, .png or .jpeg file.

5. Find the file of the scanned document on your computer. Double-check the digital copy you just took. Before submitting the digital copy of your document, make sure that:

   • All four corners of the document are visible (e.g., no cut-offs or folds)

   • There is no reflective shine, such as glare, covering important information.

   • The information on your document(s) matches the information on all other documents you may use to verify your identity.

6. After your scanned documents are saved to your computer, select Upload a photo and select the photos you would like to use from your local computer files.

Upload documents without a scanner

When creating digital copies of your documents on your computer, you have a few options. 

Submitting an Electronic Statement from your computer

If the document you would like to submit is available online, such as an electronic bank statement or a utility bill, you can download the document as a .pdf file to create a digital copy.

To do this: 

• Save the electronic statement of your document somewhere on your computer that you will remember (e.g. ‘Desktop’, ‘Documents’, ‘Downloads’, etc.).
• When prompted, upload it to ID.me. 

Submitting a photo of your document

If you have the document physically with you, you may take a digital picture of it, save the image onto your computer, then upload it to ID.me when prompted. 

If you are taking the picture with a smartphone and would like to submit it from your computer, you can email yourself the photo of your document to access it on your computer. To access the photo from your computer, log in to your email via your computer and find the email you sent yourself with photos of your documents. Then, download them to your computer by pressing ‘download image’ or ‘download file’. 

You may also save it to a cloud (such as Google Drive, iCloud, or Dropbox) to access it from your computer. 

You can also create a digital copy of your document with a smartphone.