As 2025 approaches, the digital economy continues to grow, and so does the importance of securely proving one’s identity online. Legacy verification methods, however, create unnecessary and burdensome hurdles for users, forcing them to juggle multiple passwords, repeatedly provide identification, and fill out lengthy forms. For Americans without a presence in authoritative records—a disproportionately low-income population—these challenges are even more pronounced. Algorithm-only solutions powered by credit bureaus and data brokers often fail to verify these users.
ID.me strives to eliminate these hurdles, transforming identity verification into a simple login problem. With over 135 million users now signed-up, ID.me’s digital wallet enables individuals to securely store and reuse their digital identity to access services from any organization that accepts ID.me. Plus, those in our pre-verified1 network, of over 67 million members, can sign in and confirm their identity in under 60 seconds – a true digital fast lane. Verified users gain access to 19 federal agencies, 44 state government agencies, and 66 healthcare organizations.
ID.me offers three pathways to meet the needs of users verifying their identities for the first time:
- Self-Service: The quickest option for users to securely prove their digital identity online.
- Video Chat: Our secure Video Chat option allows remote identity proofing for users who do not have a presence in authoritative records or cannot verify using Self-Service. This method closes about 75% of the digital divide created by credit bureaus and data brokers.
- In-Person Verification: This option, available at 686 retail locations, caters to users with limited internet access or those who prefer help with the process.
Nearly two-thirds of members prove their identity through the ID.me digital fast lane
Almost two-thirds of ID.me users now take advantage of ID.me’s digital fast lane to verify their identity by simply signing in and providing consent to quickly access benefits and services. Since Q3 2023, the pre-verified rate has grown 31%, reaching 64% of all subscriptions in Q3 2024. ID.me issued 7.9 million new subscriptions in Q3 2024, of which approximately 5.1 million were pre-verified, allowing users to access or renew their relationship with an agency simply by signing in and providing consent. These users can prove their identity in less than a minute and access services with a success rate of over 99%.
ID.me’s Video Chat Pathway offers a secure alternative to self-service for users without a presence in authoritative records. This verification pathway has helped 10.1 million users verify their identity and access critical services, closing approximately 75% of the digital divide created by credit bureaus and data brokers.
When using automated-only solutions, the pass rate for users in the lowest-income zip codes is just 32%. Credit bureaus and data brokers struggle to verify these individuals, as they may not have a presence in authoritative records or an accurate credit history. This disproportionately limits access to services and benefits for lower-income groups. However, with ID.me’s Video Chat pathway, the overall pass rate for these users increases by 153%, reaching 81%. Users who verify via Video Chat have the same high 99%+ pass rate when using their portable credential as those who verify via Self-Service.
First-time users experience outstanding service
ID.me recognizes that different users have different needs and preferences when verifying their identity for the first time. To meet these needs, we offer three distinct pathways: Self-Service, Video Chat, and In-Person Verification. In Q3 2024, 2.7 million users were issued an IAL2 credential, with approximately 94% experiencing wait times of less than five minutes.
At ID.me, we’re building a future where managing multiple passwords and logins is a thing of the past. With the ID.me Identity Wallet, we’re empowering millions of Americans with a portable, reusable digital identity that offers seamless and secure access to critical services. ID.me remains committed to our ambition that No Identity is Left Behind.
1Includes individuals who are verified at the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of of Standards and Technology (NIST) Identity Assurance Level 2 (IAL2) and Levels of Assurance 3 (LOA3)
