Veteran ID Cards and Proof of Service 2026: Every Type Explained

• Which ID Do You Actually Need?
• Veteran ID Card (VIC)
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
• DoD USID Card (100% Disabled Veterans and Retirees)
• State Veteran Designation on Driver’s License
• DD-214: Your Most Important Document
• VA Sign-In Changes: Login.gov and ID.me
• Lost or Damaged Records: How to Get Replacements
• Frequently Asked Questions

Veterans frequently ask which ID card they need — and the answer depends entirely on what they’re trying to do. Getting a restaurant discount requires something different than accessing a military base, which requires something different than applying for VA benefits, which requires something different than claiming federal hiring preference. This guide maps each type of veteran identification to its purpose, explains who qualifies, and walks through how to apply in 2026 — including the VA sign-in changes that have made the old instructions for eBenefits and DS Logon completely obsolete.

Which ID Do You Actually Need?

Before diving into each card type, a quick orientation:

Veteran ID Card (VIC)

The Veteran ID Card is a VA-issued photo ID designed specifically for proving veteran status at businesses that offer military discounts. It was created so veterans could get discounts without carrying their DD-214 — a document you shouldn’t be handing to restaurant hosts and store clerks.

Digital Only Since September 2022

As of September 2022, all new VICs are digital — delivered to your email as a digital card. The VA no longer produces physical plastic VIC cards. If you have an existing physical VIC from before September 2022, it remains valid indefinitely. New applicants receive a digital card that can be stored on a smartphone and shown from your screen at participating businesses.

Who Qualifies

• Served on active duty, in the Reserves, or in the National Guard (including the Coast Guard)
• Received an honorable or general discharge (under honorable conditions)
• Other than honorable, bad conduct, and dishonorable discharges do not qualify
• Uncharacterized or unknown discharge status requires VA eligibility review before approval

How to Apply

1. Sign in to VA.gov using your Login.gov or ID.me account (DS Logon and My HealtheVet logins are retired — see the sign-in section below)
2. Navigate to Records → Get Veteran ID Cards → Veteran ID Card
3. Have ready: your Social Security number, a digital copy of your DD-214 (PDF, JPEG, or PNG), a valid government-issued ID, and a current color photo from the shoulders up (white or plain background, eyes open, no head coverings)
4. Submit your application — the VA will verify your eligibility and email your digital VIC when approved

The VIC is free. It is not a government-issued ID for TSA, banking, or legal identification purposes — it proves veteran status only. Don’t use it where a REAL ID-compliant document is required.

Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

The VHIC is a VA-issued photo ID for veterans enrolled in VA healthcare. It’s the card you use to check in at VA medical centers and community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs). Some businesses also accept it as proof of veteran status for discounts, though it’s primarily a healthcare access card.

Who Qualifies

You must be enrolled in VA healthcare. If you’re not yet enrolled, see our VA healthcare enrollment guide. Once enrolled, you’ll typically receive a VHIC automatically — or you can request one through your VA medical center.

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. Veterans seeking regular base access need a USID card (see below).

DoD USID Card (100% Disabled Veterans and Retirees)

The Uniformed Services ID (USID) card is issued by the Department of Defense through the RAPIDS system and 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

• 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

USID cards are issued at RAPIDS (Real-time Automated Personnel Identification System) offices located on military installations. You cannot apply online — you must appear in person. Schedule an appointment at the RAPIDS ID Card Office Online. Bring your DD-214, VA rating letter (for 100% disabled veterans), and a government-issued photo ID. Cards are typically issued same-day.

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 haven’t gotten your USID card, it’s worth the trip to a RAPIDS office.

State Veteran Designation on Driver’s License

All 50 states now offer a veteran designation — a “VETERAN” notation 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’s a document you already carry. Most businesses that offer veteran discounts accept the state veteran designation without needing a separate VIC card.

How to Get the Designation

The process varies by state but generally involves visiting your state DMV or motor vehicle office with your DD-214 and current driver’s license, paying any applicable fee (many states offer it free), and receiving an updated license with the veteran designation. Some states allow you to request the designation online or by mail. Check your state’s DMV website for specific requirements.

The veteran designation is added at your next license renewal in most states, or you can request an updated license before renewal for a small fee. A few states have eliminated the fee entirely for veterans.

DD-214: Your Most Important Document

The DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is the foundational document for virtually every veteran benefit. No ID card replaces it for official purposes. Your DD-214 documents your service dates, branch, discharge characterization, awards, and military occupational specialty — information that VA benefits, federal hiring preference, and many state benefits require directly.

Protect Your DD-214

Your DD-214 contains sensitive personal information — Social Security number, service history, medical conditions. Never hand your original to businesses for discounts; use a VIC or state designation instead. Keep the original in a fireproof, waterproof location and maintain at least two digital copies (secure cloud storage and an encrypted external drive). Provide a copy — not the original — when required for benefit applications or employment.

How to Request a Copy If You’ve Lost Yours

• Online (fastest): Request through milConnect at milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil — sign in with Login.gov, ID.me, or a CAC card. Most veterans separated after 1996 can obtain their DD-214 immediately online.
• Online request form: Submit an eVetRecs request at the National Archives site — archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records. Processing time 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, Missouri. The address and fax number are printed on the form. Allow 4–8 weeks.
• In person: Walk-in appointments at the NPRC in St. Louis are available — call ahead to schedule.

Note: The old instruction to use the eBenefits portal to request military records is no longer valid — eBenefits is fully retired. Use milConnect or the NPRC’s eVetRecs system instead.

VA Sign-In Changes: Login.gov and ID.me

The VA has completed a major transition in how veterans access VA.gov and all associated online services. The old sign-in options are retired — here’s the current status:

Setting Up Login.gov or ID.me

Login.gov is a federal government account system — the VA’s preferred option. Create your account at Login.gov. You’ll need a government-issued ID (driver’s license or passport), your Social Security number, and a phone or email for multi-factor authentication. Identity verification is required for VA benefit access.

ID.me is a private identity verification service used by the VA, Social Security Administration, and many state agencies. Create an account at ID.me. ID.me uses facial recognition technology for identity verification — if you have concerns about facial recognition (including if your appearance has changed due to medical treatment), Login.gov offers alternative verification methods including in-person verification at participating post offices.

Your benefits and records are not affected by the sign-in change — only the login method changes. Once you’re signed in through Login.gov or ID.me, you have the same access to claims status, healthcare management, records requests, and benefit applications as before.

Lost or Damaged Records: How to Get Replacements

The 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis destroyed approximately 16–18 million Official Military Personnel Files, primarily affecting Army veterans discharged between November 1, 1912, and January 1, 1960, and Air Force veterans discharged between September 25, 1947, and January 1, 1964. If your records were affected by the fire, you’re not without options.

The NPRC can reconstruct lost records using alternate sources including separation documents, pay records, morning reports, unit diaries, hospital records, and other documents not stored at the facility. The reconstruction process takes longer than a standard records request but can recover most service information needed for benefit claims. Indicate on your SF-180 submission that your records may have been affected by the fire.

Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) — the American Legion, VFW, DAV, and others — can assist with records reconstruction at no charge. Locate a VSO representative at VA.gov/vso.

Frequently Asked Questions

This article is provided by USMilitary.org, an independent educational resource. We are not affiliated with the Department of Defense, VA, or any government agency. For official applications and current program details, visit VA.gov.