Creating an account for VA.gov

When you create a CLEAR, ID.me, or Login.gov account, you can access and manage your VA benefits, healthcare, and information online. You can use your account to sign in to VA.gov, VA mobile apps, and any other VA online service.

Here are some things you can do with an account:

• Apply for benefits
• Check your claim status
• Update your address and other contact information across several VA benefits and services
• Check the status of and request help with any benefit overpayments or copay bills you may have

You can also do these things to manage your health:

• Refill prescriptions
• Communicate privately and securely with your healthcare team
• Request or schedule some health appointments
• Review lab and test results

You can also use your account to sign in to some other government websites to manage benefits like Social Security.

All accounts meet the latest federal security standards. And offer you access to manage your VA benefits and care—and other government benefits—online.

Here’s what to know:

• ID.me is a non-government account provider that contracts with government and non-government organizations. ID.me creates and maintains your account.
  Read ID.me’s privacy policy on their website
• Login.gov is our government’s one account provider. The U.S. government creates and maintains your account.
  Read Login.gov’s privacy policy on their website
• CLEAR is a non-government account provider that contracts with government and non-government organizations. CLEAR creates and maintains your account.
  Read CLEAR’s privacy commitment on their website

Many people create accounts that they forget they have over time.

The best way to find out if you already have an account is to try to create a new one.

To create a new account, go to our VA.gov sign-in page. Then select ID.me, Login.gov, or CLEAR.

If you already have an account, the sign-in service provider will tell you. You can then try to reset your password, if needed.

Go to our VA.gov sign-in page

Identity verification is a one-time process that we ask you to complete for your CLEAR, ID.me, or Login.gov account. The process often takes about 10 minutes.

During this process, the account provider (CLEAR, ID.me, Login.gov) will ask you to provide certain personal information and identification (ID). This process helps us make sure that the person creating your account is really you—and not someone pretending to be you.

Identity verification is about protecting you from scammers who may try to set up an account in your name to access your information and benefits.

After you verify your identity, you won’t have to do it again for that account unless you lose access to your account’s multifactor authentication method or need to recreate your account. In the future, we may ask you to help us reverify your identity once every several years for added protection.

 Here’s what you’ll need to get started: 

• An email address 
• A unique password that includes at least 8 characters (with at least 1 uppercase letter, 1 lowercase letter, and 1 number) 
• A way to add an extra layer of protection to your account (called multifactor authentication or MFA), like an authenticator app or mobile phone to get text message codes

Get step-by-step instructions to create your ID.me account

Learn about MFA methods on the ID.me website

The first time you use your account to manage your VA benefits or information, you’ll need to verify your identity. This one-time process helps us protect all Veterans’ information and prevent scammers from stealing your VA benefits. You’ll need a U.S. driver’s license, state-issued ID, passport, passport card, or other accepted ID documents. You may be able to verify online or in person at a participating location of The UPS Store.

Get step-by-step instructions to verify your identity with ID.me

Learn more about verifying your identity for VA

You can create your account for VA online. Here’s what you’ll need: 

• A unique personal email address  that only you use
• A unique password that includes at least 12 characters 
• A way to add an extra layer of protection to your account (called multifactor authentication or MFA), like an authenticator app or mobile phone to get text message codes

Get step-by-step instructions to create a Login.gov account for VA

Learn about MFA methods on the Login.gov website 

The first time you use your account to manage your VA benefits or information, you’ll need to verify your identity. This one-time process helps us protect all Veterans’ identities and prevent scammers from stealing your VA benefits. You must have a valid, unexpired driver’s license, other state ID, or U.S. passport book. You may be able to verify online or at a participating U.S. post office.

Get step-by-step instructions to verify your identity for your Login.gov account

Learn more about verifying your identity for VA

You can create your account for VA online. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A smartphone with a working front-facing camera and updated software, and
• Your Social Security number, and
• A government-issued ID

Get step-by-step instructions to create a CLEAR account and verify your identity for VA

The first time you use your account to manage your VA benefits or information, you’ll need to verify your identity. This one-time process helps us protect all Veterans’ identities and prevent scammers from stealing your VA benefits. You must have a valid, unexpired government ID.

Learn more about verifying your identity for VA

For ID.me: You can verify your identity on a video call. You’ll need a computer with a webcam and internet connection. And you’ll need to upload photos of your ID from the computer. Or you can book an appointment to verify your identity in person at a participating location of The UPS Store.

Learn about verifying on a video call on the ID.me website

Learn about in-person verification appointments on the ID.me website

For Login.gov: You can verify your identity at a participating U.S. post office. If you don’t have a U.S. phone number, you may be able to verify your address by mail.

Learn about verifying in person on the Login.gov website

Learn about verifying by mail on the Login.gov website

Note: You’ll need to use alternate methods to verify your identity and add multifactor authentication (MFA). You can choose an MFA method that doesn’t require a mobile phone, like a security key, landline, or backup codes.

Review MFA methods on the ID.me website

Review MFA methods on the Login.gov website

We can help guide you to fix some common issues as you create your account and verify your identity.

Get support for common sign-in issues

Or you can get more help on each account provider’s website.

Get help on the CLEAR website

Get help on the ID.me website

Get help on the Login.gov website

Identity verification and multifactor authentication work together to protect your identity and personal information:

• Identity verification is a one-time process. You complete this process when you first set up your sign-in account. To verify your identity, you provide certain personal information and identification (ID). Identity verification helps us make sure only you can create your sign-in account—and no scammer can create one in your name.  
• Multifactor authentication (MFA) is an extra layer of protection that’s part of the process of signing in to use your account. When you first set up your account, you set up your choice of MFA method (like an authenticator app) on a device only you have access to. Then, you use that method to provide a specific code we send you each time you sign in. Multifactor authentication helps us make sure only you can use your sign-in account to access and manage your benefits and health care.   

It’s always your choice whether you want to get an account. Your choice won’t affect your eligibility for VA benefits or healthcare in any way.

If you don’t get an ID.me, Login.gov, or CLEAR account, you won’t be able to access your VA information or manage your benefits and care online. But you can always manage your VA benefits and healthcare by phone, by mail, or in person.

Review our list of helpful VA phone numbers to find the one that matches your specific needs.

Get a list of helpful VA phone numbers

Or find the phone number and address for your local VA health facility, regional office, cemetery, or other location.

Find a VA location near you

CLEAR, ID.me, and Login.gov require multifactor authentication (MFA) as part of the account set-up process. This extra layer of protection helps us make sure that it’s you trying to use your sign-in account—and not someone pretending to be you.

MFA is a common practice for many websites and apps. You may already use it to access your email, bank account, or social media accounts.

When you set up your CLEAR, ID.me, or Login.gov account, you can choose the MFA option that works best for you.

Go to ID.me’s guide to multifactor authentication options

Go to Login.gov’s guide to multifactor authentication options

Create a CLEAR account

Create an ID.me account

Create a Login.gov account