Print
Share page with AddThis

New Federal Veterans ID Card

Posted on: October 18, 2017 - 3:20pm

VA Announces Rollout and Application Process for NewVeterans ID Card 

WASHINGTON — Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that the application process for the national Veterans Identification Card (VIC) is now available for Veterans — yet another action honoring their service.This has been mandated through legislation since 2015 to honor Veterans, and today’s rollout of the ID card fulfills that overdue promise.

Only those Veterans with honorable service will be able to apply for the ID card, which will provide proof of military service, and may be accepted by retailers in lieu of the standard DD-214 form to obtain promotional discounts and other services where offered to Veterans.

“The new Veterans Identification Card provides a safer and more convenient and efficient way for most Veterans to show proof of service,” said VA Secretary Dr. David J. Shulkin. “With the card, Veterans with honorable service to our nation will no longer need to carry around their paper DD-214s to obtain Veteran discounts and other services.”  

The VIC provides a more portable and secure alternative for those who served the minimum obligated time in service, but did not meet the retirement or medical discharge threshold. Veterans who served in the armed forces, including the reserve components, and who have a discharge of honorable or general (under honorable conditions) can request a VIC.

To request a VIC, Veterans must visit vets.gov, click on “Apply for Printed Veteran ID Card” on the bottom center of the page and sign in or create an account.

Before continuing with your request, a copy of your government issued ID and a photo of yourself (shoulders-up) will be needed. If you are using a computer to submit your request, make sure a copy of both are uploaded to your computer.

Photo Requirements: Acceptable file types include .jpeg or .png. File size should not exceed 3MB

The government issued ID (driver's license, state issued identification card or Passport) must be valid.

The image that will appear on the card must:

  • Be of the same person.
  • Be in color. Color pictures should be 2 x 2 inches in size. Sized such that the top of the head and the neck or sides of the face are not cropped (this is the typical size of a passport photo).
  • Be taken within the last 6 months. It must be full front view of face with a neutral expression and both eyes open.
  • Provide visibility of the face, head and shoulders without cropping any portion of the head or shoulders.
  • Not contain eyeglasses and sunglasses, hats or head covering (unless the individual submits a letter that it is traditional religious attire) have been removed.
  • Have full visibility of the face with no shadows or obscured hairline.
  • Not have visible headphones or wireless hands-free devices.
  • Be taken on plain white paper of off-white background

Veterans who apply for a card should receive it within 60 days and can check delivery status of their cards at vets.gov. A digital version of the VIC will be available online by mid-December.