How to Get a Veterans ID Card: VIC, VHIC & State IDs (2026)

Get a Veterans ID Card: Eligibility, Documents, and Steps

You can get a veterans ID card through four main channels: the VA Veteran ID Card (VIC), the Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC), a DoD Uniformed Services ID (USID) for retirees and 100% disabled veterans, or a state veteran designation on your driver’s license. The VIC is digital-only, free, and open to honorably discharged veterans. The VHIC requires VA healthcare enrollment.

Quick Facts

Item	Details
Benefit	Government-issued or state-issued photo ID proving veteran status for discounts, VA healthcare check-in, base access, or federal hiring preference
Eligibility	VIC: honorable or general discharge; VHIC: enrolled in VA healthcare; USID: retiree or 100% service-connected disability; State designation: varies by state, generally honorable discharge
Application	VIC: online at VA.gov; VHIC: online through AccessVA or in person at a VA medical center; USID: in person at a RAPIDS office; State: DMV in person or by mail
Processing Time	VIC: varies (VA does not publish a fixed timeline; historically up to 60 days); VHIC: 7–14 days domestic, 21–30 days foreign; USID: same day; State: same day to several weeks
Official Agency	VA (VIC, VHIC); Department of Defense (USID); State DMV/DOR (veteran designation)
Required Forms	DD-214 or separation document; government-issued photo ID; VA Form 10-10EZ (for VHIC healthcare enrollment); DD Form 1172-2 (for USID)
Updated For	2026 VA sign-in changes (Login.gov/ID.me), digital VIC rollout, and state designation processes

See also

Understanding the VA Clothing Allowance for Service-Connected Disabilities: Your Complete Guide

What Types of Veteran ID Cards Exist in 2026?

There are five distinct types of veteran identification, and each serves a different purpose. The right card depends on what you need to prove and where you need to prove it.

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The DD-214 is not a photo ID, but it remains the foundational document for every veteran benefit. No ID card replaces it for VA disability compensation, federal hiring preference, or legal proof of service.

How Do You Get the VA Veteran ID Card (VIC)?

The VA Veteran ID Card (VIC) is a free, digital photo ID used to prove veteran status for retail discounts and civilian purposes. It is not a healthcare card, not a federal ID for TSA or building access, and not a substitute for the DD-214.

VIC Eligibility

You qualify for a VIC if both of the following are true:

• You served on active duty, in the Reserves, or in the National Guard (including the Coast Guard).

• You received an honorable or general discharge (under honorable conditions).

You are not eligible if you received an other than honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge. If your discharge is uncharacterized or unknown, the VA must verify eligibility before approving the application.

Important: The VIC Is Now Digital-Only

As of September 2022, all new VICs are digital. The VA no longer issues physical plastic cards. If you have a physical VIC issued before September 2022, it remains valid indefinitely. New applicants receive a digital card by email that can be stored on a smartphone.

What You Need to Apply for a VIC

Have these ready before you start the online application:

• Social Security number

• Digital copy of your DD-214 (or DD-256, DD-257, PHS-1867, or NGB-22) in PDF, JPEG, or PNG format

• Copy of a current, unexpired government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or state ID)

• Digital color photo of yourself from the shoulders up, taken within the last 10 years, with a white or plain background, eyes open, no hat or head covering, and no eyeglasses

How to Apply for a VIC: Step by Step

1. Go to VA.gov and sign in. You must use a Login.gov or ID.me account. DS Logon was retired November 18, 2025, and My HealtheVet login was retired March 5, 2025. eBenefits is fully retired.

2. Navigate to Records → Get Veteran ID Cards → Veteran ID Card.

3. Upload your DD-214, government-issued ID, and digital photo.

4. Submit the application. The VA will verify your eligibility and character of discharge.

5. Watch for an email decision. If approved, the digital VIC is emailed to you. If your discharge is uncharacterized or unknown, processing takes longer while the VA verifies eligibility.

VIC Processing Time

The VA does not publish a fixed processing time for the VIC on its application pages. Historical guidance cited a 60-day window, and third-party guides report most VICs arriving within 2 to 6 weeks, though the VA does not guarantee this timeline. Applicants with uncharacterized or unknown discharges should expect longer processing.

VIC Limitations

The VIC proves veteran status only. It is not valid for:

• TSA or domestic air travel

• Entry to federal buildings

• Banking or legal identification

• VA healthcare check-in (use the VHIC for that)

If you need a card for VA healthcare, you need the VHIC, not the VIC.

How Do You Get the Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)?

The VHIC is a VA-issued photo ID for veterans enrolled in VA healthcare. It is the card you use to check in at VA medical appointments, and many retailers also accept it for veteran discounts.

VHIC Eligibility

You must be enrolled in VA healthcare to receive a VHIC. If you are not enrolled, you must apply for VA healthcare first using VA Form 10-10EZ (online at VA.gov/health-care/apply, by phone at 1-877-222-VETS, or in person at a VA medical center).

Once enrolled, you will receive a VA healthcare welcome call. You cannot request a VHIC before that welcome call.

How to Apply for a VHIC

You have two options: online or in person.

Online:

1. Sign in to AccessVA with your ID.me or Login.gov account (or use a DoD CAC or PIV card).

2. Upload a digital color photo that meets VA standards (taken within the last 6 months, white or light background, full front view, no eyeglasses, no hat unless religious or medical).

3. Upload a copy of your current, unexpired photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or government-issued ID showing name, address, and date of birth).

4. Submit only once. Submitting multiple requests causes delays.

In person:

1. Contact your nearest VA medical center and ask for the enrollment coordinator.

2. Schedule a photo appointment, or ask to have your photo taken at your next VA healthcare appointment.

3. Bring a current, unexpired ID (driver’s license, passport, or government photo ID). If your ID does not show your address, bring a separate document (utility bill, voter registration card, or mailed document) to confirm your address.

VHIC Processing Time

The VHIC is mailed to you. Standard processing time is 7 to 14 days for domestic addresses and 21 to 30 days for foreign addresses. Cards are typically received within 7 to 10 business days from the date of request.

VHIC and Base Access

A standard VHIC does not grant access to military bases or commissaries. However, if your VHIC displays “SERVICE CONNECTED,” “PURPLE HEART,” or “FORMER POW” on the front, it may grant limited base access at some installations. A plain VHIC without these designations does not.

For regular base access, you need a DoD USID card (see below).

Replacing a Lost or Stolen VHIC

You can replace a lost or stolen VHIC:

• By phone: Call 1-877-222-8387.

• In person: Visit your local VA medical center.

• Online: Use AccessVA if you have an account.

Replacement is free.

How Do You Get a DoD Uniformed Services ID (USID) Card?

The DoD USID card is issued by the Department of Defense through the RAPIDS system. It grants access to military installations, commissaries, exchanges, and MWR facilities. This is the card that gives 100% service-connected disabled veterans and military retirees the same base access privileges as active duty members.

Who Qualifies for a USID Card

• Military retirees (20+ years of qualifying service) and their dependents

• Veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled by the VA and their dependents

• Surviving spouses and dependents of service members who died on active duty

• Medal of Honor recipients

• Dependents of active duty service members

• DoD civilian employees (different category, same card system)

How to Get a USID Card

You cannot apply online. You must appear in person at a RAPIDS (Real-time Automated Personnel Identification System) office located on a military installation.

1. Schedule an appointment at the RAPIDS ID Card Office Online (idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/).

2. Bring your DD-214, VA rating letter (for 100% disabled veterans), and a government-issued photo ID.

3. Cards are typically issued same-day.

Why the USID Matters for 100% Disabled Veterans

For 100% service-connected disabled veterans who have never claimed this benefit, the commissary and exchange access alone — tax-free grocery shopping at commissary prices — can produce thousands of dollars in annual savings for a family. If you qualify and have not gotten your USID card, it is worth the trip to a RAPIDS office.

How Do You Get a State Veteran Designation on Your Driver’s License?

All 50 states and the District of Columbia now offer a “VETERAN” or “VET” designation printed directly on your state-issued driver’s license or ID card. This is often the most practical everyday proof of veteran status because it is a document you already carry. Most businesses that offer veteran discounts accept the state veteran designation without requiring a separate VIC card.

How to Add the Designation

The process varies by state, but the general steps are:

1. Visit your state DMV or motor vehicle office with your DD-214 and current driver’s license.

2. Ask for the veteran designation when you renew or apply. The designation is not added automatically — you must request it.

3. Pay any applicable fee. Many states offer it free; a few charge a small fee.

4. Some states allow online or mail requests. Check your state DMV website for specific requirements.

State-by-State Differences

• Most states accept a DD-214 alone as proof.

• Some states (such as Texas, Florida, and Tennessee) may require a VHIC or VIC in addition to the DD-214.

• Discharge standards vary. Most states accept any service except dishonorable, which is broader than the VIC’s honorable/general requirement.

REAL ID and Veteran Status

The veteran designation on a REAL ID-compliant license does not change its REAL ID status. CAC, USID, and active VA medical IDs are all REAL ID-equivalent for federal building access. Plan to renew at the DMV with the documents required for REAL ID (typically birth certificate or passport, two proofs of address, and Social Security card or W-2), and add the veteran designation while you are there.

Comparison Table: Which Veteran ID Do You Need?

What Documents Do You Need for a Veteran ID Card?

The documents required depend on the card type, but the DD-214 is the common thread for every application except the VHIC (which requires VA healthcare enrollment first).

Documents by Card Type

How to Get a Copy of Your DD-214

If you have lost your DD-214, you can request a free copy:

• Fastest (post-1996 separations): Use milConnect at milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil. Most veterans separated after 1996 can obtain their DD-214 immediately online.

• Online request: Submit an eVetRecs request at the National Archives (archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records). Processing varies but is typically several weeks.

• By mail or fax: Complete Standard Form 180 (SF-180) and submit to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis. Allow 4–8 weeks.

• In person: Walk-in appointments at the NPRC are available — call ahead.

Do not send original documents. Copies are sufficient for every ID application. Keep your original DD-214 in a fireproof, waterproof location and maintain at least two digital copies.

What Are the Most Common Mistakes Veterans Make With ID Card Applications?

Applying for the wrong card. The VIC is for discounts. The VHIC is for VA healthcare. The USID is for base access. Applying for the VIC when you need base access — or the VHIC when you are not enrolled in VA healthcare — wastes time. Match the card to the task.

Using a retired sign-in method. DS Logon was retired November 18, 2025, and My HealtheVet login was retired March 5, 2025. eBenefits is fully retired. All VA.gov access, including VIC applications, now requires a Login.gov or ID.me account.

Submitting a photo that does not meet VA standards. The VIC and VHIC photo requirements are strict: taken within the last 6 months (VHIC) or 10 years (VIC), white or plain background, full front view, eyes open, no eyeglasses, no hat or head covering unless religious or medical. A non-compliant photo delays or blocks the application.

Requesting a VHIC more than once. Submitting a VHIC request online and in person — or submitting twice online — causes a delay. Request only once.

Applying for a VIC with an OTH discharge. An other than honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge makes you ineligible for a VIC. If your discharge is uncharacterized or unknown, the VA must verify eligibility before approval, which takes longer.

Assuming the VIC is a federal ID. The VIC is not valid for TSA, federal building entry, banking, or legal identification. It proves veteran status only. Use a REAL ID-compliant license, passport, or USID for federal identification.

Not having a smartphone-compatible phone number. Some applicants report that a landline phone number cannot receive the verification code needed to complete the online VIC application. Use a smartphone number associated with the veteran.

Waiting until you need base access to get a USID. The USID is issued in person at a RAPIDS office and requires an appointment. 100% disabled veterans who have never claimed the benefit are leaving commissary and exchange savings on the table.

Special Situations

I Have an Other-Than-Honorable (OTH) Discharge. Can I Get a Veteran ID?

It depends on the card:

• VIC: You are not eligible if you received an OTH, bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge.

• VHIC: Eligibility hinges on VA healthcare enrollment, which can include some OTH veterans for service-connected care. If you qualify for VA healthcare, you may qualify for a VHIC.

• State Designation: Most states accept any service except dishonorable, which is broader than the VIC standard.

• USID: OTH veterans do not qualify unless they meet retiree or 100% disability criteria.

I Lost My Veteran ID Card. How Do I Replace It?

• Lost VIC: Reapply online at VA.gov. There is no physical card to replace; a new digital card will be issued.

• Lost VHIC: Call 1-877-222-8387, visit your VA medical center, or use AccessVA. Replacement is free.

• Lost USID: Contact your nearest RAPIDS office or your service’s ID card office.

• Lost State ID with designation: Visit your DMV with your DD-214 to replace the license/ID and re-add the designation.

I Am a Surviving Spouse or Dependent. Can I Get a Veteran ID?

• Surviving spouses and dependents of service members who died on active duty may qualify for a USID card through RAPIDS.

• Surviving spouses do not qualify for a VIC or VHIC based on the veteran’s service alone, unless they independently meet veteran eligibility.

• State veteran designations are generally limited to the veteran, not family members.

Common Questions

1. What is the difference between a VIC and a VHIC?
The VIC is a free digital photo ID for honorably discharged veterans to prove veteran status for discounts. It does not require VA healthcare enrollment. The VHIC is a physical photo ID for veterans enrolled in VA healthcare, used to check in at VA appointments. They are separate cards with separate eligibility rules.

2. Is the Veteran ID Card still available as a physical card?
No. As of September 2022, all new VICs are digital-only. The VA no longer issues physical plastic VIC cards. If you have a physical VIC issued before September 2022, it remains valid indefinitely.

3. How long does it take to get a VIC?
The VA does not publish a fixed processing time. Historical guidance cited up to 60 days. Third-party guides report most VICs arriving within 2 to 6 weeks. Applicants with uncharacterized or unknown discharges should expect longer processing.

4. How do I get a VHIC if I am not enrolled in VA healthcare?
You must enroll in VA healthcare first using VA Form 10-10EZ. After you receive your VA healthcare welcome call, you can request a VHIC online through AccessVA or in person at a VA medical center.

5. Can I use my VHIC to get veteran discounts?
Yes. Many retailers accept the VHIC for veteran discounts, including Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Cabela’s. However, the VHIC’s primary purpose is VA healthcare check-in, not discount verification.

6. Does the VIC work for TSA or federal buildings?
No. The VIC is not a federal ID. It is not valid for TSA, federal building entry, banking, or legal identification. Use a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, passport, or USID for federal purposes.

7. How do I get a DoD USID card as a 100% disabled veteran?
You must appear in person at a RAPIDS office on a military installation. Schedule an appointment through the RAPIDS ID Card Office Online, bring your DD-214, VA rating letter showing 100% service-connected disability, and a government-issued photo ID. Cards are typically issued same-day.

8. Can I get a veteran designation on my driver’s license in any state?
Yes. All 50 states and DC offer a veteran designation. Bring your DD-214 to your DMV and request the designation. Most states offer it free; a few charge a small fee. Some states may require a VHIC or VIC in addition to the DD-214.

9. What if I have an other-than-honorable discharge?
You are not eligible for a VIC. You may still qualify for a VHIC if you are enrolled in VA healthcare (some OTH veterans qualify for service-connected care). Most states offer the veteran designation for any service except dishonorable.

10. How do I replace a lost VHIC?
Call 1-877-222-8387, visit your local VA medical center, or use AccessVA to request a replacement. Replacement is free. Processing takes 7–14 days for domestic addresses.

11. Do I need a VIC if I already have a state veteran designation?
No. The VA states that veterans who already have a VHIC, DoD ID, or state ID with a veteran designation do not need a VIC for discount purposes. However, an eligible veteran may still apply if they want one.

12. What is the DD-214 and why is it still important?
The DD-214 is the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. It documents your service dates, branch, discharge characterization, awards, and military occupational specialty. No ID card replaces it for VA disability claims, federal hiring preference, or legal proof of service. ID cards prove veteran status; the DD-214 proves the details.

Key Takeaways

• There is no single “veterans ID card.” There are five distinct types: VIC, VHIC, USID, state veteran designation, and the DD-214.

• The VIC is digital-only and free. It requires an honorable or general discharge and is used for retail discounts and veteran status verification — not for TSA, federal buildings, or VA healthcare.

• The VHIC requires VA healthcare enrollment. It is the card you use at VA medical appointments. Processing takes 7–14 days domestic.

• The DoD USID card is for retirees and 100% service-connected disabled veterans. It grants base access, commissary, exchange, and MWR privileges. Apply in person at a RAPIDS office.

• All 50 states offer a veteran designation on driver’s licenses or state IDs. Most businesses accept it for discounts. Bring your DD-214 to the DMV and request it.

• The DD-214 remains essential for VA benefits, federal hiring preference, and legal proof of service. No ID card replaces it.

• VA sign-in has changed. DS Logon and My HealtheVet login are retired. You need a Login.gov or ID.me account to apply for a VIC or access VA services online.

• Common mistakes include applying for the wrong card, using a retired sign-in method, submitting a non-compliant photo, and assuming the VIC is a federal ID.

• The VIC does not work for base access. If you need base access as a 100% disabled veteran, get a USID card.

• Lost cards are replaceable. VHIC replacements are free and can be requested by phone, online, or in person.

Official Resources

• VA — Types of Veteran ID Cards: https://www.va.gov/records/get-veteran-id-cards/

• VA — How to Apply for a Veteran ID Card (VIC): https://www.va.gov/records/get-veteran-id-cards/vic/

• VA — Get a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC): https://www.va.gov/health-care/get-health-id-card/

• VA — Apply for VA Health Care (10-10EZ): https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply/application/introduction

• VA — VIC Program Email: vetidcard@va.gov

• VA — VHIC Replacement Phone: 1-877-222-8387

• DoD — RAPIDS ID Card Office Online: https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/

• National Archives — Request Military Service Records (DD-214): https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records

• milConnect — DD-214 Request: https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/

• USA.gov — Get or Replace a Military or Veteran ID Card: https://www.usa.gov/military-veteran-id

• Login.gov: https://login.gov

• ID.me: https://www.id.me

• AccessVA: https://eauth.va.gov/accessva