How To Get A Military Id For Spouse

Military ID Cards provide access to many services and benefits such as Tricare, legal assistance, education benefits, use of morale and welfare activities, commissaries, exchanges and of course discounts at many restaurants and stores.

The Department of Defense issues all military members, dependents, spouses, and civilian workers appropriate identification to allow access to military bases, facilities, federal lands in controlled areas, transportation, etc.

Not everyone who needs access to a military base is assigned the same type of card. Military IDs are limited to military active duty service members, Reservists, retirees, dependents, veterans entitled to DoD benefits by law, and others. Civil Service workers may be provided some form of federal ID but not the same as a military ID.

How To Get A Military ID Card

In order to obtain a military ID card, you must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. Your initial entry into this system may happen at Basic Training or at your first assignment. You will be required to fill out an official form and provide personal data in order to receive your ID card.

Service members, retirees, DoD civilians and former members may have their information fed to DEERS through automated data feeds.

ID Cards For Dependents, Spouses

To get a dependent or spouse ID card you must enroll the dependents/spouse in DEERS and complete a DD Form 1172-2. Apply via the official ID Card Office Online or in person at a RAPIDS site. Use this RAPIDS Site Locator to make an appointment. Two forms of unexpired ID are required for ID card services in most cases.

The Next Generation Uniformed Services ID Card

The Department of Defense began transitioning out of its previous ID card system into a new type of identification known as the Next Generation Uniformed Services ID card. This card updates security features to prevent counterfeiting and identity theft. The Next-Gen USID, as it is commonly referred to, was introduced in July 2020 and Dod plans included a gradual phased-in approach.

Those who hold ID cards under the old legacy system (see below) should know they cannot renew their cards simply to upgrade to the Next Gen USID; all current cards remain valid until they expire when they will be replaced by the Next Generation USID.

Aside from active duty military members, the following groups are authorized for Next Generation USIDs when the current ID expires:

Armed Forces of the United States Geneva Conventions Identification Card

Members of the Individual Ready Reserves
Members of the Inactive National Guard
Non-CAC-eligible civilian noncombatant personnel deployed in conjunction with military operations overseas.

U.S. Department of Defense / Uniformed Services Sponsor Identification and Privilege Card

Medal of Honor recipients
100% Disabled Veterans
Former members in receipt of retired pay
Retired members entitled to retired pay
Members of the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL)
Members of the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL)
Retired members of the Reserves and National Guard
Transitional Health Care Member (TAMP)
Full-time paid United Service Organizations (USO) personnel when serving OCONUS
United Seaman's Service (USS) Personnel OCONUS
Officers and Crews of MSC vessels deployed to foreign countries
Select Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) personnel

U.S. Department of Defense / Uniformed Services Dependent Identification and Privilege Card

Authorized for the dependents of:

Active duty Service members of the regular components
Reserve component Service members on active duty for more than 30 days
Retirees
Medal of Honor recipients
Former members in receipt of retired pay
Transitional Health Care Members (TAMP)
100% Disabled Veterans
Ship's Officers and Crewmembers of NOAA Vessels
Reserve members not on active duty or in receipt of retired pay
Former members not in receipt of retired pay
Reserve Service members who die after receipt of NOE

Also authorized for the surviving dependents of active duty and retired service members plus Medal of Honor recipients.

Next Gen USID Card Color Coding

Next Generation USID cards are color coded as white or blue. White cards are for current/former uniformed service members, dependents, and "all remaining personnel". Blue Next Gen USID cards are for non-u.s. citizen sponsors and their dependents.

How do Veterans get Military ID Cards?

Uniformed Services ID Cards are only issued for the purpose of facilitating benefits and entitlements established by law. Veterans must qualify under the criteria listed below in order to receive a military ID card. Fortunately, there are other options available to Veterans who need to prove military service in order to take advantage of government benefits and discounts from restaurants and stores.

How to Get a Veterans ID Card
Veterans ID on Driver's License or ID Card by State

Previous Military ID Card Types Based on Eligibility

Uniformed Services ID Cards were issued in 4 different colors, tan, red, blue and green and are based on the recipients' eligibility.

DD Form 2 (Reserve)

Card color: Green

Members of the Individual Ready Reserves and Inactive National Guard

DD Form 2 (Retired)

Card color: Blue

Retired members entitled to retired pay
Members on the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL)
Members on the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL)

DD Form 2 (Reserve Retired)

Card color: Red

Retired members of the Reserves and National Guard under the age of 60.

DD Form 1173

Card color: Tan

Dependents of:
- 100% Disabled Veterans (DAV)
- Active-duty service members
- Former members in receipt of retired pay
- Medal of Honor recipients
- Reserve component servicemembers on active duty for more than 30 days
- Retirees
- Ship's Officers and Crewmembers of NOAA Vessels
- Transitional Health Care Members (TAMP)

Surviving dependents of: active-duty and retired military members; Medal of Honor recipients; and 100% Disabled Veterans (DAV)
Accompanying family members of authorized civilian personnel overseas or in CONUS, HI, or AK when required to reside on a military installation.
Eligible dependents of foreign military.
Other benefits-eligible categories as described in DoD policy.

DD Form 1173-1 – (Guard and Reserve family member)

Card color: Red

Dependents of:
- Former members not in receipt of retired pay
- Reserve members not on Active Duty or in receipt of retired pay
- Reserve service members who die after receipt of NOE
Other benefits-eligible categories as described in DoD policy

DD Form 2765

Card color: Tan

100% disabled veterans
Area Executives, Center Directors, and Assistant Directors of the USO when Serving OCONUS
Former members in receipt of retired pay
Medal of Honor recipients
Officers and Crews of MSC Vessels deployed to foreign countries
Other benefits-eligible categories as described in DoD policy
Select Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) personnel
Transitional Health Care Member (TAMP)
United Seaman's Service (USS) Personnel OCONUS

How to get a Military ID Card

You must have a sponsor to guide you through the process
Register with the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) by completing Form 1172-2
Visit a Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System (RAPIDS) site for final verification and processing.

How to Replace a Military ID Card

Locate the nearest RAPIDS sites, go online or call to schedule an appointment and bring two forms of ID.

Can Commercial Establishments Photocopy Military Identification Cards?

Photocopying U.S. government identification is a violation of Title 18, U.S. Code, Part I, Chapter 33, Section 701 and is punishable by fine and/or imprisonment. It is acceptable to provide military or government ID to commercial establishments but they cannot copy or duplicate it in anyway. Both military personnel and commercial establishments are often times unaware of this law while attempting to verify military affiliation for government rates, discounts or deals on services, lodging or products.