An ID.me account is a digital identity that lets you prove who you are to government agencies and some private companies without showing physical documents every time.
ID.me is a private company that acts as a middleman between you and government programs. Instead of mailing copies of your driver's license and tax returns to each agency separately, you verify your identity once with ID.me, then use that verified account to access multiple government services. The company stores your documents and confirms your identity to agencies that ask — think of it as a digital notary that works across many programs at once.
You do not need an ID.me account to use most government services. Many agencies still accept mail, phone, or in-person visits. But ID.me is the fastest route for online access to certain programs, and some agencies now require it as their only digital option. The account itself is free to create.
Key Takeaways
- ID.me verifies your identity once and shares that verification with multiple government agencies, so you do not have to prove who you are separately to each one.
- You create an account by providing your email, Social Security number, and date of birth, then verifying your identity through a video call, photo upload, or existing government ID.
- The IRS, Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, and many state unemployment and tax agencies use ID.me as their identity verification system.
- ID.me is free, but you will need a government-issued ID or the ability to pass a video verification with an ID.me agent to complete the process.
- If you cannot or do not want to use ID.me, most agencies offer alternative ways to prove your identity, though they may take longer.
How to create and verify an ID.me account
Start by going to ID.me's website and clicking "Sign up." You will enter your email address, create a password, and provide your Social Security number and date of birth. ID.me will ask you to verify your email by clicking a link they send you.
Next comes identity verification. ID.me offers three paths. The fastest is uploading a photo of a government-issued ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. You take a photo of the front and back, and ID.me's system checks it automatically. This usually takes a few minutes.
If you do not have a government ID or the photo does not work, you can schedule a video call with an ID.me agent. They will ask you questions about your background (address history, previous employers, family members) and may ask to see your ID on camera. This call usually takes 5 to 15 minutes and can be scheduled within hours or days depending on demand.
A third option, available in some states, is connecting your existing state ID or driver's license through your state's motor vehicle agency. If your state offers this, ID.me can pull your information directly from the DMV database.
Which government agencies use ID.me
The IRS uses ID.me to verify your identity when you access your tax account online or file certain forms. The Social Security Administration requires ID.me for online access to your Social Security statement and benefit information. The Department of Veterans Affairs uses it for veterans' benefits portals.
Many state agencies also use ID.me: unemployment insurance programs in most states, state tax agencies, state workforce development offices, and some state benefit programs. The list changes, so if you are trying to access a specific government service online, that agency's website will tell you whether ID.me is required or optional.
Some private companies also use ID.me — certain financial institutions, insurance companies, and age-restricted retailers use it to verify identity before allowing access. But government agencies are the main reason most people create an account.
What ID.me does and does not store
ID.me stores the documents you upload or verify during the video call: your ID photo, your answers to background questions, and the fact that you passed verification. It does not store your full Social Security number after verification is complete — it uses it only to confirm your identity during the process.
When a government agency asks ID.me to verify you, ID.me tells the agency "yes, this person is who they say they are" but does not automatically hand over your documents. The agency sees only the verification result, not the underlying proof, unless you choose to share it. You can see what information ID.me has about you by logging in and checking your account settings.
ID.me is not a credit bureau and does not affect your credit score. It does not sell your information to marketers or data brokers. It is regulated as a money services business in most states and must follow data security rules, though it has faced criticism over data breaches and the accuracy of its video verification system.
When you might need ID.me and when you do not
You need ID.me if an agency's website requires it as the only way to verify your identity online. The IRS, for example, now requires ID.me for most online tax account access. Some state unemployment agencies made it mandatory during the pandemic and have kept it that way.
You do not need it if the agency offers other verification methods. Many agencies let you verify by mail, phone, or in person instead. This takes longer — mail can take weeks, phone calls may require waiting on hold — but it is an option if you do not want to create an ID.me account or cannot pass their verification process.
If you have already verified your identity with one agency through ID.me, you can reuse that same account for other agencies. You do not have to verify again unless ID.me's system flags a problem or you change your legal name or address.
What to do if ID.me verification fails
If your photo ID upload is rejected, ID.me will tell you why — the image is blurry, the ID is expired, or the name does not match their records. You can try uploading again with a clearer photo or a different ID document. If uploads keep failing, you can schedule a video call with an agent instead.
If your video call verification fails, the agent will explain what went wrong. Common reasons include your answers to background questions not matching government records, or the ID you showed not matching the information you provided. You can usually try again after a waiting period, or contact the specific agency you are trying to access to ask about alternative verification methods.
If you believe ID.me made an error, you can contact their support team through the website. Response times vary. For urgent access to a government service, contact the agency directly and ask whether they have a non-ID.me verification path or can override the ID.me requirement temporarily.
Alternatives to ID.me
Not every government agency uses ID.me. Some still use their own identity verification systems or accept mail-in proof. The Social Security Administration, for example, lets you visit a local office in person. The IRS accepts phone verification for some services. State agencies vary widely — some use ID.me, others use different vendors like Login.gov or their own systems.
If you cannot or do not want to use ID.me, check the specific agency's website for other options. Most will list them clearly: "Verify online with ID.me," "Verify by phone," "Visit an office," or "Mail documents." Choosing a slower method is always better than being locked out of a service you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ID.me the same as a government ID?
No. ID.me is a private company's verification service. A government ID is a physical document issued by a state or federal agency. ID.me uses your government ID as proof during verification, but the ID.me account itself is separate and is managed by a private company, not the government.
Can I use ID.me to verify my identity for a bank account or loan?
Some banks and financial companies use ID.me, but most do not. Banks typically have their own verification systems. Check with your specific bank or lender to see what they accept. ID.me is most common for government services, not banking.
What happens if I lose access to the email address I used for ID.me?
You can change your email address by logging into your ID.me account and updating your account settings. If you cannot log in, contact ID.me support with proof of identity. They can help you regain access or transfer your verified status to a new email.
Do I have to use ID.me if an agency requires it?
No. If an agency's website requires ID.me, you can contact the agency directly and ask for an alternative verification method — usually mail, phone, or in-person visit. These take longer, but they are always an option. Agencies are required to offer non-digital ways to access services.
Is my information safe with ID.me?
ID.me uses encryption and follows federal data security rules, but like any company holding sensitive information, it has experienced data breaches. Your information is safer with ID.me than mailing copies of your ID to multiple agencies, but no system is risk-free. Review ID.me's privacy policy to understand what they collect and how they use it.