How do I get an Identification Card?
     When you apply for enrollment in person at any VA, your picture will be taken for your Veteran Identification Card (VIC) at that time. If you apply via mail or on-line, you will need to go to your local VA medical center and a staff person will take your picture. Once your eligibility for VA health care has been verified, the card will be automatically mailed to you within 7-10 days. To ensure the VIC Card is received at the appropriate address, please be sure we have your correct mailing address. If the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver the card, it will be returned to the facility where the Veteran requested the card.
     The VIC does not contain any sensitive, identifying information such as your social security number or date of birth on the face of the card. The VIC now displays the following special eligibility indicators: Service Connected, Purple Heart, and Former POW (see photo below).
     VICs cannot be used as a credit or an insurance card and it does not authorize or pay for care at non-VA facilities.
     If you lose your card or do not receive your card in the mail, contact the VA where your picture was taken to request a new card be sent to you. You may also contact 877-222-VETS (8387) to check on the status of your card.

Sample of the Veterans Identification Card (VIC):

VA Initiates Campaign to Replace Old ID Cards
     All VA health care facilities have begun an aggressive campaign to replace old veteran ID cards (VIC) with the new VIC for all enrolled veterans. The new VIC does not include sensitive information (social security number and date of birth) on the front of the card. The new card reduces veterans' vulnerability to identity theft and demonstrates VA's commitment to securing the confidential personal information of all enrolled veterans.
     Additionally, in recognition of the sacrifices made by former Prisoners of War (POW), Purple Heart (PH) Medal recipients and veterans with service-connected (SC) disabilities, "POW, PH and/or SC" indicators will be printed on the card for veterans with those verified eligibilities. The addition of these eligibility identifiers to the card will enhance identification of former POWs, Purple Heart Medal recipients and service-connected veterans when applying for special benefits.
Visit your local VA medical facility to have your picture taken and a new VIC will be mailed to you.      If your eligibility for VA health care is already verified, your VIC will be mailed to you within 5-7 days. It may take longer to receive the card if your eligibility has not been verified or if you are not currently enrolled in the VA health care system. Be sure to bring with you any documents to verify your military service such as your DD214, Certificate of Discharge, and any additional proof to verify any special eligibility, such as proof of receipt of PH medal.

Veterans Identification Card
     The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides eligible Veterans a Veterans Identification Card (VIC) for use at VA Medical Facilities. The VIC Card protects the privacy of Veterans' sensitive information, as it no longer displays the Social Security Number or Date of Birth on the front of the card. The VIC Card will only display the Veteran's name, picture, and special eligibility indicators - Service Connected, Purple Heart and Former POW, if applicable, on the front of the card. Only Veterans who are eligible for VA medical benefits will receive the card.
How To Receive A VIC
     Once the Veteran has their picture taken for the VIC Card at the VA Medical Facility, the card will be mailed to the Veteran within 7-10 days after the Veteran's eligibility has been verified. To ensure the VIC Card is received at the appropriate address, it is important that the Veteran's address is verified and the correct address is entered in the VistA computer system. If the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver the card, it will be returned to the facility where the Veteran requested the card.
Purpose Of VIC
     The card is only for the purpose of identification and check-in for VA appointments. The VIC Card cannot be used as a credit card or an insurance card, and it does not authorize or pay for care at non-VA facilities. Veterans should safeguard their VIC Card similar to other identification cards that contain personal information.
What To Do If The Card Is Lost Or Stolen
     Veterans should contact the VA Medical Facility where they took their picture to request a new card be re-issued. Since the photo is retained, there is no need for the Veteran to go to the VA to retake a picture for the card. Identifying information such as name and other information will be asked to assure proper identification of the caller.
Replacement Of The Old VIC
     The new VIC Cared was introduced in 2004 to reduce Veteran vulnerability to identity theft and to demonstrate the VA's commitment to securing the confidential personal information of enrolled Veterans. Veterans with the old and outdated version of the VIC Card (which displays the Social Security Number and the Date of Birth), must replace the card with the new card. Veterans with the old card should report to their local VA Medical Facility to have a new card issued.