Get a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

First, you’ll need to be enrolled in VA health care. If you’re not already enrolled, you can apply now.

Find out how to apply for VA health care

After you receive your VA health care welcome call, you can apply for a VHIC in person at a VA medical center or online.

Note: Only request your card once, either in person or online. If you request your card more than once, it will cause a delay.

In person

Contact your nearest VA medical center and ask to speak with the enrollment coordinator. Ask the coordinator to help you arrange to get your picture taken for your new VHIC.

Find a VA medical center near you

You can also ask for help with getting your picture taken at your next VA health care appointment.

Bring a current, unexpired ID to your photo appointment

You can bring any of these ID types:

• State-issued driver’s license, or
• U.S. passport, or
• Federal, state, or local government-issued photo ID showing your name, address, and date of birth

Note: If your ID doesn’t show your address, you’ll need to bring a separate document to confirm your address. This could be your electric bill, cable bill, voter registration card, or another mailed document.

Online

You can sign in to AccessVA to request your VHIC. You’ll need an ID.me or Login.gov account to sign in. Or, you can use your Department of Defense Common Access Card (CAC) or Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card.

If you don’t have an ID.me or Login.gov account, you can create one now. Follow the instructions on the sign-in page to register for a sign-in partner.

Go to AccessVA to request your VHIC online

Note: If you live outside the U.S. and you don’t have one of these accounts, you’ll need to create an ID.me account to verify your identity.

Learn how to verify your identity if you live outside the U.S.

Have a photo and current ID ready

When you apply for a VHIC online, you’ll need to upload a digital color photo of yourself and a copy of your current photo ID.

Upload a copy of any of these types of current, unexpired IDs:

• State-issued driver’s license, or
• U.S. passport, or
• Federal, state, or local government-issued photo ID showing your name, address, and date of birth

Note: If your current ID lists an address different from what we have on file, you’ll need to update your address with us before you can request a VHIC online.

Find out how to change your address in your VA.gov profile

Or call us at  (TTY: 711) and ask to change your address. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.

Upload a digital color photo of yourself that follows all these requirements:

• You had the photo taken in the last 6 months
• The background is white, light blue, or another light color
• The photo shows a full front view of your face (with no eyeglasses or non-medical electronic devices)
• You’re not wearing a hat or head covering, unless it’s for religious or medical reasons (you’ll need documentation)
• Your face is centered, away from the edges (like a passport photo)
• You have a neutral expression with your mouth closed (no smiling)
• The photo is cropped so it’s a square shape and shows you from your shoulders up
• Your photo must be one of these file types: a .jpeg, .png, .bmp, .gif, or .tiff