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 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 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. The card is issued for the purpose of identification and check-in at VA appointments.
To receive a VIC, the Veteran must have his/her picture taken for the 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 is received at the appropriate address, it is important that the Veteran’s address is verified and the correct address is entered in the VA 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.
The new VIC Card was introduced in 2004 to reduce Veterans’ 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 Veterans with the old and outdated version of the VIC (which displays the Social Security Number and the Date of Birth), must replace the card with the new card.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. Veterans should dispose of the old card in a secure manner by cutting up the card or shredding the card.
If the Veteran does not receive the card in the 7-10 day timeframe, the Veteran should contact the local VA Medical Facility where the card was requested or call VA at 1-877-222-VETS (8387).
