Some government applications require identity verification. This additional layer of security requires you to prove you are you - and not someone pretending to be you.
If you are under 18 years of age, you may not be able to verify your identity for a Login.gov account. If you have trouble verifying your identity, please contact the partner agency to find out what you can
do.
Requirements for identity verification
- Your drivers license or state ID card. You can upload a photo of your ID by phone or by computer.
- Social Security number
- Your phone number
- If we can’t verify your phone number, you can verify by mail instead. This takes 5 to 10 days.
- Taking a photo of yourself
Some services need you to take a photo of yourself with a phone to verify your identity online. If you don’t have a phone with a camera, you can verify your identiy in person.
If you are missing any of this information, please contact the government agency you are trying to access.
Our privacy and security standards
Login.gov is a secure, government website that adheres to the highest standards in data protection. Most of the data you submit is not stored. Learn how we verify your identity and the privacy and security measures we take to keep your information safe.
Steps for identity verification and securing your account
- On the “We need to verify your identity” page, read the requirements and, if you agree, check the box next to the Login.gov consent statement.
- Next, upload a photo of your driver’s license or state ID card.
- Note: If you began the identity verification process on your computer, you have the option to switch and use your phone to upload images.
Continue by computer and upload images
- Upload an image of the FRONT of your ID by clicking on “Choose File.”
- Select the file from your computer
- Upload an image of the BACK of your ID by clicking on “Choose File.”
- Select the file from your computer
- Click continue
Switch from computer to phone to upload images
- Enter your phone number.
- Choose a phone number where you can receive SMS/Text messages and click “Continue.”
- Click on the link sent to your phone.
- You will see options to either “take a photo” or “upload a photo.”
- Upload an image of the FRONT of your ID from your phone’s photo gallery or take an image of the front of your ID
- Upload an image of the BACK of your ID from your phone’s photo gallery or take an image of the back of your ID
- You may also need to take a photo of yourself to complete this step.
- Return to computer to complete the process
Continue by phone and upload images
- You will see a screen with ‘front’ and ‘back’ in large squares and an option to either “take a photo” or “upload a photo.”
- Upload an image of the FRONT of your ID from your phone’s photo gallery or take an image of the front of your ID
- Upload an image of the BACK of your ID from your phone’s photo gallery or take an image of the back of your ID
- You may also need to take a photo of yourself to complete this step.
- Click “Continue”
- Enter your social security number and click “Continue”
- Verify the information you have submitted so far is correct and click “Continue”
- Enter your primary phone number. This is the last step for identity verification.
- If you do not have a U.S. phone number or cannot verify by phone, click on “Verify your address by mail instead.” You will have to wait 5 to 10 days to receive a letter in the mail and then follow the instructions to enter a verification code.
- Once your identity is verified, you need to encrypt your account. Re-enter your Login.gov password. Click “Continue”
- Take note of your personal key and keep it safe. You’ll need to enter your personal key immediately on the next page. Click “Continue”
Once the process is complete, click “Agree and Continue” to be redirected back to your Login.gov account page or the agency you are trying to access.
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FAQs
You can now create your new my Social Security account through our credential service provider (CSP), Login.gov, or you can access your information using your ID.me account if you have one. Login.gov is your one government account for simple, secure, and private access to participating U.S. government agencies.
Why is the IRS asking me to verify my identity? ›
You may receive a notice or letter asking you to verify your identity and tax return information with the IRS. This helps prevent an identity thief from getting your refund.
How do I verify identity verification? ›
Requirements for identity verification
- Your drivers license or state ID card. You can upload a photo of your ID by phone or by computer.
- Social Security number.
- Your phone number. If we can't verify your phone number, you can verify by mail instead. ...
- Taking a photo of yourself.
Login.gov is the public's one account for simple, secure, and private access to participating U.S. government agencies. ID.me is a single sign-on provider that meets the U.S. government's online identity proofing and authentication requirements.
Is there really a $16728 Social Security bonus? ›
Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.
Is Login.gov used by IRS? ›
Login.gov is currently used by IRS as an identity-proofing option for the submission of Form 990-N, which is used by small, tax-exempt organizations for annual reporting.
Why do I always have to verify my identity? ›
It's about protecting you from scammers who may try to set up an account in your name to access your information and benefits. After you verify your identity, you won't have to do it again for that account unless you lose access to your account's multifactor authentication method or need to recreate your account.
Is ID.me safe to give SSN? ›
Does ID.me keep my information secure? ID.me uses bank-grade security infrastructure and federally-compliant information protection practices to safeguard your data.
Can I verify my identity for IRS online without? ›
(updated October 31, 2023) A: To verify your identity with ID.me, you'll need to provide a photo of an identity document such as a driver's license, state ID or passport. You'll also need to take a selfie or choose to video chat with a live ID.me agent.
How does Login.gov verify your identity? ›
You'll take a photo of your accepted driver's license or state ID card and enter your personal information to verify your identity online. You may need to take a photo of yourself with a phone to verify your identity online. This is to check that you are the person on your ID.
The Login.gov service is provided by the U.S. General Services Administration to offer the public secure and private online access to participating government programs. With one Login.gov account, users can sign into multiple government agencies.
How long does it take to get taxes after verifying identity? ›
What happens after I successfully verify? We'll process your tax return. It may take up to 9 weeks to receive your refund or credit any overpayment to your account. However, if we find other problems, we'll contact you again and this may delay your refund.
Is Login.gov real or fake? ›
Login.gov is a trusted, government-issued sign in service. The public uses Login.gov for simple and secure access to the services our government partners provide.
Do I have to use Login.gov to create a Social Security account? ›
Go to www.ssa.gov/myaccount and select the “Create an Account” button. with ID.me to access my Social Security. If you don't have a Login.gov or ID.me account, select either the “Create an Account with Login.gov” link to create a Login.gov account or the “Sign In with ID.me” button to create an ID.me account.
How do you confirm your identity? ›
Need to prove your identity?
- Passport.
- Driving licence.
- Recent utility bills.
- Bank statements.
Login.gov is a trusted, government-issued sign in service. The public uses Login.gov for simple and secure access to the services our government partners provide.
What information is needed for a Login.gov account? ›
When you're ready to create your secure Login.gov account, you'll need to provide a few pieces of information:
- Email address. We recommend a personal email address that you'll always be able to access rather than a work email address. ...
- Secure password. ...
- One or more authentication methods such as:
We use secure technology to keep your information private. How does the online application make it easy for me to apply?
What happens if I have to delete my Login.gov account? ›
If you delete your account:
We'll delete your email address, password, and phone number. You won't be able to sign into partner agencies that require a Login.gov account. You won't lose your information saved with partner agencies, but you will need to create a new Login.gov account.
