There are several types of veteran ID cards — VHIC, VIC, state veteran designation, and retired military ID. Here's which ones you should have and why.
There are several different "veteran ID cards," and they are not interchangeable — each one proves something different and is issued by a different authority. Knowing which card you actually need saves you from chasing the wrong one. This guide covers the main veteran IDs, what each is for, who qualifies, and how to get it.
| Card | What it proves or does | Who issues it |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran ID Card (VIC) | Proof of veteran status for discounts | VA (digital) |
| Veteran Health ID Card (VHIC) | Check-in for VA health care appointments | VA (enrolled veterans) |
| "Veteran" designation on driver's license | A veteran marker on your state ID | Your state DMV |
| Uniformed services ID (Next Gen USID) | Base access, TRICARE, commissary and exchange | Department of Defense |
| DD-214 | Official proof of service and discharge | National Archives / DoD |
The VIC is a photo ID from the VA that proves you are a veteran without having to carry your DD-214. Its main use is veteran discounts at restaurants, hotels, stores, and other businesses. As of September 2022, the VIC is digital — you access it through your VA.gov account rather than receiving a plastic card in the mail, and you can show it from your phone.
To qualify, you must have served on active duty, in the Reserves, or in the National Guard and received an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge. You apply on VA.gov and upload a digital photo from the shoulders up plus a copy of a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license. One important limit: the VIC only proves status for discounts. It does not get you onto a military base, it is not a TRICARE card, and it is not used to check in for VA health care.
If you are enrolled in VA health care, the VHIC is the photo card you use to check in at VA medical appointments. It is specifically a health care card — not a general ID and not a discount card. You must be enrolled in VA health care to get one, and you can request it online through your VA.gov account or in person at your nearest VA medical center. Newer VHICs are more secure: they no longer store your Social Security number or date of birth in the barcode or magnetic strip.
Most states will add a "Veteran" designation to your driver's license or state ID card. It is a convenient way to show veteran status for state-level benefits and everyday discounts without carrying other paperwork. You get it through your state DMV, typically by bringing your DD-214 (or other proof of service) when you apply for or renew your license. The exact requirements and how the designation looks vary from state to state.
This is the Department of Defense ID — the Next Generation Uniformed Services ID Card, which replaced the older DD Form 1173. It is not a "veteran" card in the discount sense. It is for people entitled to ongoing military benefits such as base access, TRICARE, and commissary and exchange privileges — primarily military retirees, and certain other eligible groups such as veterans rated 100% permanently and totally disabled and Medal of Honor recipients, along with eligible family members. You get it through a military ID card (RAPIDS/DEERS) office, usually by appointment.
Strictly speaking, your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is not an ID card — but it is the master document that proves your service and the foundation for almost every other card and benefit. You will need it to apply for the VIC, to add a veteran designation at the DMV, and for many state and federal benefits. Keep secure digital and physical copies. If you have lost it, you can request a replacement from the National Archives' National Personnel Records Center, online through eVetRecs or by mail.
Match the card to the goal. Want veteran discounts without carrying your DD-214? Get the VIC. Use VA health care? You need the VHIC. Want a veteran marker on your everyday ID? Ask your DMV for the designation. Retired or otherwise entitled to base, TRICARE, or commissary access? That is the DoD uniformed services ID. And to apply for most of these, you will need your DD-214. Most veterans end up with a combination — commonly the VIC plus a DMV designation, and the VHIC if they use VA care.
"Veteran ID" is not one card — it is a small family of them, each issued by a different agency for a different purpose. Match the card to what you are trying to do, keep your DD-214 handy as the foundation, and you will always have the right proof on hand for discounts, health care, and benefits.
As of September 2022, the VIC is digital. You access it through your VA.gov account rather than receiving a plastic card, and you can show it from your phone to claim veteran discounts.
No. The VIC only proves veteran status for things like discounts. Base access, TRICARE, and commissary or exchange privileges require a Department of Defense uniformed services ID card, which is issued to retirees and certain other eligible groups.
You qualify if you served on active duty, in the Reserves, or in the National Guard and received an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge. You apply on VA.gov with a digital photo and a government-issued photo ID.
Bring your DD-214 (or other proof of service) to your state DMV when you apply for or renew your license. The exact requirements vary by state.
Request a copy from the National Archives’ National Personnel Records Center, online through eVetRecs or by mail. Your DD-214 is the document most veteran IDs and benefits are based on, so keep secure copies once you have it.