USPS® offers In-Person Identity Verification Services, also known as "In-Person Proofing" (IPP) for individuals registering to obtain access to USPS services or services provided by participating federal agencies at over 18,000 Post Offices™ nationwide. In-Person Proofing (IPP) allows you as the registrant to securely verify your identity in-person when your identity cannot be verified online.
How does it work?
You as the registrant attempt to create an account online with USPS or a participating federal agency and your identity verification fails. You will be given the option to verify your identity in-person at a USPS retail location. If the in-person option is selected, you will receive an email with an enrollment barcode, a list of the 10 closest participating USPS locations, and instructions on which identification documents to bring with you.
Upon arrival at a USPS retail location, a Retail Associate scans your barcode to begin the process. You must present them your original and non-expired forms of identification. The Retail Associate evaluates your identity documents to ensure that you, the Registrant, are the person you claim to be.
Our IPP solution leverages both technical tools and manual evaluation (leveraging the expertise of our trained Retail Associates) to determine the legitimacy of the ID documents provided. In addition to validating identity, we will take additional steps to prevent fraudulent activity. Your personal information is stored consistent with the USPS Privacy Policy.
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Note:
- No appointment is needed (walk-in appointments are acceptable).
- No fee is collected from the registrant.
- USPS does not have a process to identity proof through trusted referees or people you select to act on your behalf.
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You will receive a confirmation email from the participating agency detailing the results of the In-Person Proofing session and the next steps.
If you receive an error and cannot complete the In-Person Proofing process, then the Retail Associate can cancel the transaction until you are able to return.
If you have questions, please reference your confirmation email from the participating federal agency.
Current Participating Federal Agencies
- U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) / Login.gov: Participating federal agencies use GSA's Login.gov to protect their users. Login.gov has partnered with the U.S. Postal Service in a first-of-its-kind agreement to make in-person identity verification available at over 18,000 Post Office locations nationwide. Over 99% of the U.S. population has a participating Post Office within 10 miles of their home. When attempting to sign into a participating agency website, you will be prompted to sign in or create an account with Login.gov before you can access your profile with the agency.
- Department of Labor (DOL): The DOL In-Person Proofing (IPP) serves as an additional means of conducting the identity verification required in administering the Unemployment Insurance benefits by state governments' unemployment agencies.
IPP service allows USPS to become the trusted go-to provider for customers who are seeking to use the above government agency services and are unable to verify their identity online.
Acceptable Forms of Identification for In-Person Proofing Process
Our In-Person Proofing Services support two levels of Identity Assurance: Basic and Enhanced. The level chosen by USPS or the participating federal agency will determine which acceptable forms of identification are required and will fully be outlined in any enrollment emails.
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Forms of Identification
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Strength
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Acceptable Identification by Identity Assurance
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Basic IPP (USPS, GSA / Login.gov, Department of Labor)1
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Enhanced IPP (GSA / Login.gov)2
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Real ID Card3
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PRIMARY / STRONG+
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✔
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✔
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State Driver’s License or ID card
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PRIMARY / STRONG
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✔
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✔
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U.S. Uniformed Services Privilege and Identification Card (U.S. Military ID)
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PRIMARY / STRONG
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✔
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✔
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Passport
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PRIMARY / STRONG
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✔
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✔
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Passport Card
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PRIMARY / STRONG
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✔
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✔
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Alien Registration Card
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PRIMARY
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✔
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Certification of Naturalization
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PRIMARY
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✔
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Government Identification Card
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PRIMARY
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✔
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Recognized Corporate Identification Card / Badge
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PRIMARY
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✔
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University Identification Card
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PRIMARY
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✔
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Deed of Trust
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SECONDARY / FAIR
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✔
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✔
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Home Insurance Policy
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SECONDARY / FAIR
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✔
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✔
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Mortgage Statement
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SECONDARY / FAIR
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✔
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✔
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Property Lease
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SECONDARY / FAIR
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✔
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✔
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Voter ID Card
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SECONDARY / FAIR
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✔
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✔
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Vehicle Registration Card
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SECONDARY / FAIR
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✔
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✔
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Vehicle Insurance Policy
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SECONDARY / FAIR
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✔
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✔
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1Basic IPP (GSA / Login.gov, Department of Labor): Participants are required to bring 1 form of primary identification and potentially 1 secondary form of identification to confirm the applicants name and address.
2Enhanced IPP (GSA / Login.gov): Participants should bring up to either 2 Strong or 1 Strong+ forms of identification as well as 2 Fair forms of identification.
Note: Applicants that cannot provide the acceptable forms of identification required for in-person proofing will be unable to complete the identity verification process.
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