What ID.me Does for Social Security

ID.me is a third-party identity verification service that Social Security uses to confirm you are who you say you are when you create or access a my Social Security account online. It is not run by Social Security itself — it is a separate company that Social Security hired to handle the verification step. When you sign up for my Social Security or try to log in after a period away, Social Security may direct you to ID.me to prove your identity before you can see your earnings record or manage your account.

The verification happens in one session and takes about 10 to 15 minutes. ID.me asks you questions about your past (like addresses you have lived at or accounts you have held), takes a photo of your government ID, and may ask you to take a selfie. Once you pass, you get access to my Social Security. You do not need to verify again unless you change your password or Social Security suspects unusual activity on your account.

Key Takeaways

  • ID.me is the identity verification service Social Security uses to confirm your identity before you can create or access a my Social Security account.
  • The verification process asks security questions about your past, requires a photo of your government ID, and may require a selfie, and takes 10 to 15 minutes.
  • You only verify once — you do not need to repeat the process every time you log in unless Social Security flags unusual activity.
  • If ID.me cannot verify you online, you can schedule an in-person appointment at a participating location or contact Social Security directly to verify by phone.

What Documents and Information You Need

Before you start the ID.me verification, gather a government-issued photo ID. This can be a driver's license, passport, passport card, state ID card, or military ID. The ID must not be expired, though Social Security sometimes makes exceptions for IDs that expired during the COVID-19 pandemic — if your ID is expired, try anyway and see if the system accepts it.

You will also need to answer security questions about your personal history. These questions pull from public records and credit reports, so they ask things like "Which of these addresses have you lived at?" or "Which of these credit accounts have you held?" You do not need to bring documents to answer these — they are multiple choice. However, you do need to be truthful and remember details about your own history. If you have never had a credit account or have lived in very few places, some questions may be hard to answer accurately.

Have your phone or computer camera ready if you are verifying online, because ID.me will ask you to photograph your ID and take a selfie. Make sure you are in a well-lit space and that your ID is clearly readable in the photo.

The Step-by-Step Verification Process

Start by going to ssa.gov and clicking the "Create an account" button or "Sign in" if you already have one. Social Security will direct you to ID.me if verification is needed. You will land on the ID.me homepage and see options to verify online, schedule an in-person appointment, or use a video chat with an ID.me agent.

If you choose online verification, ID.me will ask you to enter your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. Then it will ask 5 to 10 security questions pulled from your credit history and public records. Answer as accurately as you can — if you are unsure about an answer, choose "None of the above" rather than guessing. After you answer the questions, ID.me will ask you to photograph your government ID. Hold it steady, make sure the photo is in focus, and capture the front and back if the ID has information on both sides.

Next, ID.me will ask you to take a selfie. Look directly at the camera, make sure your face is clearly visible, and follow any on-screen instructions about head position or lighting. Once ID.me processes your photos and answers, it will tell you whether you have been verified. If you pass, you are sent back to Social Security and can access your account. If you do not pass, ID.me will offer you the option to schedule an in-person appointment or contact Social Security by phone.

What Happens If Online Verification Does Not Work

If ID.me cannot verify you online — because your answers do not match records, your photos are unclear, or the system cannot read your ID — you have two other paths. The first is to schedule an in-person appointment at a participating location. ID.me has partnered with thousands of locations nationwide, including UPS stores, libraries, and other public spaces. You book an appointment online, bring your government ID in person, and an agent verifies you face-to-face. This usually takes 10 to 15 minutes and costs nothing.

The second path is to contact Social Security directly. You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask to verify your identity by phone. A Social Security representative will ask you security questions and may ask about your work history or benefits. This path takes longer — you may wait on hold and the call may take 20 to 30 minutes — but it does not require you to have a camera or take photos.

If you have a disability that makes it hard to use ID.me's online system (for example, you cannot see the screen clearly or cannot hold a camera steady), tell Social Security when you call. They can arrange alternative verification methods or have someone help you through the process.

Common Reasons Verification Fails

The most common reason online verification fails is that your answers to security questions do not match what ID.me has on file. This happens when credit bureaus have outdated information about you, when you have moved recently, or when you have never had credit accounts and cannot answer the questions accurately. If this happens, do not keep guessing — schedule an in-person appointment or call Social Security instead.

Photo problems are the second common reason. Your ID photo may be too blurry, too dark, or cut off at the edges. Your selfie may be at the wrong angle, show only part of your face, or be taken in poor lighting. If your first attempt fails, try again in a brighter space and hold your camera more steadily. If you try twice and still cannot get a clear photo, switch to in-person verification or call Social Security.

A third reason is that your government ID is expired or does not match your current legal name. If you have changed your name since your ID was issued (through marriage, divorce, or legal name change), you may need to bring both your old ID and a document showing the name change to an in-person appointment. Call Social Security first to ask what documents they need.

How Your Information Is Protected

ID.me encrypts your information as it travels between your device and ID.me's servers, which means it is scrambled so that no one can read it in transit. ID.me stores your photos and answers in a find database and does not share them with third parties except Social Security. Social Security itself has strict rules about who can access your account and what they can do with your information.

However, ID.me is a private company, not a government agency. If you are uncomfortable sharing your photos or detailed personal information with a private company, you can skip online verification and call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 instead. Social Security will verify you by phone without using ID.me, though the call will take longer.

After You Verify: Accessing Your Account

Once ID.me confirms your identity, you are sent back to Social Security's website and can create your my Social Security account or log in to an existing one. Your account lets you view your earnings record (the record of wages you have earned and paid Social Security taxes on), estimate your future benefits, and change your address or phone number. You can also use your account to explore for benefits if you are ready.

You will not need to verify again with ID.me unless Social Security suspects fraud on your account or you change your password and Social Security requires re-verification for security reasons. If you log out and log back in normally, you just use your username and password — no ID.me step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use ID.me to get a my Social Security account?

No. If you do not want to verify online with ID.me, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask to verify by phone instead. You can also schedule an in-person appointment at a participating location. All three methods lead to the same result — a verified my Social Security account.

What if I do not have a government ID?

If you do not have a driver's license, passport, or state ID, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. A representative can verify you by phone using security questions and information from your Social Security record. You may also be able to verify in person at a Social Security office, though you should call first to ask what documents you can bring instead of a photo ID.

Can someone else verify my identity for me?

No. ID.me requires you to take the selfie and answer the security questions yourself. However, if you need help because of a disability or language barrier, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for phone verification, or schedule an in-person appointment and bring someone to information you.

How long does it take to get verified?

Online verification usually gives you a result within a few minutes. If you schedule an in-person appointment, you will be verified during that appointment, which takes 10 to 15 minutes. Phone verification with Social Security can take 20 to 30 minutes because of wait times. Once you are verified, you do not need to verify again unless Social Security asks.

Is ID.me safe to use?

ID.me encrypts your information and is used by many federal and state agencies, including the IRS and state unemployment offices. However, it is a private company. If you are uncomfortable sharing photos with a private company, you can verify by phone with Social Security instead at 1-800-772-1213.