On July 20, 2015 the 114 Congress of the United States of America passed H.R. 91 an Act to amend chapter 57 of title 38, United States Code, to add new section 5706 which directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to issue, upon request, veteran identification cards to certain veterans requesting the ID card for general purposes, discounts or proof of service. This Act will be known as the Veterans Identification Card Act 2015. The effective date of the act will be 60 days from its enactment date, July 20, 2015.

This ID card will only be made available upon request by the Veteran. Veterans eligible for VA healthcare benefits will have a separate VA healthcare ID card. The cards are not interchangeable.

The cards will be issued to all veterans requesting a Veteran Identification Card and distributed by the VA Healthcare Facilities. There is a cost for the card. The cost has not yet been determined.

The ID card will display the Veteran’s:

  • Photo
  • Name
  • Explanation that the card is not proof of any benefits to which the Veteran is entitled.
  • An identification number that is not a social security number
  • The card will serve as proof that the Veteran served in the Armed Forces and has a DD-214 or other official document of official military service.