DS Logon FAQs

• Service Members:
  • Preferred method: CAC
  • Alternate methods: Email registration, in person at a RAPIDS station (only when a new ID card is being issued)
• Military Family Member/Dependent:
  • Preferred method: Email registration
  • Alternate methods: Email registration, sponsor online request, in person at a RAPIDS station (only when a new ID card is being issued)
• Retirees/Retiree Family Member or Dependent:
  • Preferred method: Email registration
  • Alternate methods: In person at a RAPIDS station (only when a new ID card is being issued), remote identity proofing
• Veterans/Veteran Family Member or Dependent:
  • Preferred method: Remote identity proofing
  • Alternate methods: login.gov, ID.me, My HealtheVet
• Surrogate:
  • Preferred method: CAC (if surrogate has a CAC and card reader)
  • Alternate methods: Email registration (if surrogate has a DoD ID Card), remote identity proofing
• Other:
  • Choose applicable option: In-person, CAC, email registration, remote identity proofing

You can register your dependent for an account. The dependent/family member needs a unique email on file in DEERS (meaning an email that no one else in the family has on file in DEERS). After you register them, they will receive an email with instructions.

For the Military Sponsor: 

1. Log into DS Logon using your CAC.
2. Click Register DS Logon for my Dependents under Relationships on your Profile page.
3. Select the dependent(s) who needs a DS Logon account. Only eligible dependents will appear as options. An activation email will be sent within 24 hours to the dependent’s email on file in DEERS. Once this option has been selected, the dependent must wait for the activation code or 20 days before trying any other registration method.

For the dependent: 

1. Use the link provided in the email or go directly to the DS Logon homepage and click Activate Account.
2. Enter the required personal information and activation code from the email. The system will display your username.
3. Click Continue to activate your account.

See the Remote Proofing FAQs below.

Remote proofing allows DS Logon to verify that you are who you say you are. The process involves uploading specific documentation, submitting a selfie, entering partial credit card/loan account numbers, and/or answering knowledge-based questions. The process takes approximately 10 minutes and must be completed at a single time, within the time limit provided.

Your financial information is not stored or saved and is used only for one-time identity verification. Your credit rating is not affected.

Be sure to have the following items available BEFORE the process begins:

• Driver’s license
• Computer with a web camera or cell phone with a camera
• Phone associated with the phone number on your DEERS record (to receive a one-time PIN)
• Accepted credit cards and/or loan documents
  • You are not required to enter the full credit card number, expiration date, or CVV
  • You will not be charged
    • Not all credit cards can be verified by the proofing vendor. Refer to the full list in the Financial Information section of the "What does the remote identity proofing process look like?" FAQ below.

If using a mobile device, it is recommended the device be no older than five (5) years old, for example:

• iPhone 8 on iOS 12 or above
• Android OS9 or above

To maintain the level of security mandated, there is not an expedited process. If you have a limited timeframe to enroll or submit documents on a partner website, be sure to read the entire identity proofing section so that you can be prepared with everything you need.

The information used in remote identity proofing is pulled using a soft inquiry on a user’s credit report. This means it does not impact your credit score and is not used for any purpose except to verify identity at a single point in time. The data, identity documents, and information provided are not used in data mining or for any other purpose except one-time identity verification.

DS Logon has implemented the required policies, procedures and regulations from NIST, which provides instruction and standards for remote verification. All information sent to the data vendor is encrypted.

You may be asked to complete one or more of the following identity proofing steps. Not all users will have to complete every section.

Knowledge-Based Questions

You may be prompted to answer multiple choice questions regarding your background or information that only you will know.

Financial Account Information

You may be prompted to enter the last 8 digits of a credit card or an entire loan account number for verification of a credit card or loan in your name.

Credit card expiration date and security code are NOT required and there is NO hold or charge placed on the credit card. This is for identity verification only.

Document and Selfie Upload

You may be prompted to upload a U.S. identity verification document and take a selfie (a selfie is a picture of your full face with nothing else in the picture).

If you are on a computer, you may be prompted to select an image stored on your device instead of taking a picture. You may need to seek assistance from a friend or family member when capturing documents and/or selfies.

If you are having trouble with any of these steps, please check the "How can I make sure my document uploads are accepted?" and "Why is my selfie not being accepted?" FAQs.

The system will show you a list of accepted documents, including U.S. Driver’s License and U.S. Passport. Any document you upload must meet the following criteria:

• U.S.-issued
• Valid (Unexpired)
• Clear, easy to read
• Entire document is visible
• Document is on a solid color surface
• Original copy

Documents with the following issues CANNOT be used for verification:

• Military- or VA-issued
• Photocopy
• Damaged or altered
• Expired
• Foreign-issued
• Poor photo capture (glare, parts cut off, or partially hidden)

1. Your photos may be the wrong format or size. Photos should be:
   • In .jpg format
   • Size 480x640 or greater, 24-bit color and at least 250 dpi
     • If the photo takes several minutes to upload, the photo may be too large.
2. Your documents may not be a type that is accepted for verification. The following documents cannot be used:
   • Military ID
   • Veteran/DAV, Dependent ID card
   • PIV card (CACs are the exception)
   • Expired ID card
   • Foreign-issued documents

Make sure to use the following guidelines for taking clear photos that get accepted:

1. Use a smart device (e.g., cell phone) with a camera.
2. Lay the document on a flat surface with a dark, solid background. Do not hold the document when taking the picture or place the document on your lap.
3. Take the pictures from directly above and not at an angle.
4. Avoid glass tables or mirrors that reflect camera flash.

It is very important that your face can be clearly seen and is not covered. Use the following guidelines:

1. Use a solid background – similar to a driver’s license or passport photo.
2. Look straight into the camera.
3. Include your face only, not your whole body.
4. Ensure your face fills most of the photo.
5. Check that the photo is clear and not blurry before uploading.

Watch out for these issues that make it hard to verify your selfie.

• Do not upload a photo of a photo or a professional portrait.
• Do not take a picture of a phone screen or upload a photo of an ID saved on a phone.
• Do not wear glasses, hairstyles that cover the face, hats, or face masks.
• Do not use a “busy” background (posters, framed photos, bookcases with lots of items).
• Do not use a filter. Don’t use a mirror. They can cause glare issues.
• Do not turn your head sideways.
• Do not include pets or other people – even partial faces or framed photos in the background can result in a failure to verify.

Follow any instructions in the error message. The error code will include information on what to do next.

Unfreeze your account temporarily with the credit reporting agency, then re-add the freeze when proofing is completed successfully.

1. Ensure your address is updated on your DEERS record.
2. Update your address on your credit card(s) so accurate information is being reported to credit agencies.

If you are not able to remote identity proof, you may still be able to register through email or complete in-person proofing. Review the alternate methods available to you in the "What registration method should I use?" FAQ. 

Please note that too many failed attempts at remote identity proofing will result in a 31-day lockout that cannot be removed by the CCC. Additional attempts will restart the 31-day period. If you are not having success, consider trying another method to avoid the lockout.

Some cards are NOT accepted for identity proofing: American Express, Debit, Barclays, Kohl’s, Utility, Cash Back, Student, Balance Transfer, and Travel Rewards Cards.

Check for the following:

• The credit card is not in dispute, suppressed, frozen, or expired
• The credit card is in your name
• The credit card is on your credit report

• If you need to unfreeze a credit card for verification, you are responsible for reestablishing the credit card freeze.

You can click the option for “I do not have a Credit Card or Loan” to continue the process without entering credit card or loan information.

You can register in-person when a DoD ID card is being issued.

1. Make an appointment at a RAPIDS station (RAPIDS station locator). 
2. Bring all necessary identifying documents. Typically, two (2) I-9 documents are required. Contact the site to confirm what documents are needed. Documents cannot be expired. Acceptable I-9 documents that may be requested are:
   1. Primary: Picture ID issued from Federal or State Government (e.g., driver’s license, valid passport, ID card, Military Dependent card, DoD ID card, Permanent Resident Card, State DMV-issued ID card, etc.) 
   2. Secondary: SSN card, non-picture ID card, birth certificate, citizenship or naturalization certificate, ID card by local government with DOB, sex, height, eye color, and address 
3. At your appointment, notify the VO that you would like a DS Logon account. 
4. Provide the VO with your unique email address and follow the steps they provide. Users will receive an activation code via email within 24 hours. 
   • If you do not receive the email, check your junk/spam folder. 
5. Use the link provided in the email or go directly to the DS Logon homepage and click Activate Account. 
6. Enter the required personal information and requested activation code. The system will display the unique username assigned to you. 
7. Click Continue to activate your account.