The Government has launched a digital version of the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card, giving veterans a quicker and easier way to prove their status and access support. The new card can be applied for, issued and stored through the GOV.UK One Login app, removing the need to wait for a physical card to arrive by post.
The digital Veteran Card provides the same details as the physical version, including the holder’s name, photograph, service branch and date of birth. Once approved, the digital version can be downloaded in minutes and viewed securely on a smartphone. It includes the same protections as other digital credentials such as bank cards, using Face ID, Touch ID or passcodes to keep information safe.
The change means that the UK’s 1.8 million veterans can now verify their service record more quickly when they need to access services such as healthcare, housing or education, or when using veteran-specific benefits and discounts. The card is the first digital credential to be issued through the GOV.UK One Login system, which the government is developing as a single secure route for citizens to access public services online. The digital Veteran Card has been developed with support from the Ministry of Defence and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs.
Veterans Minister Louise Sandher-Jones said the new digital format would make it easier for former service personnel to access help and recognition. “This digital Veteran Card removes barriers and puts convenience back in their hands, whether they are registering with a new GP, seeking housing support or getting a discount at a local museum. With almost two million veterans across the UK now able to benefit from this innovation, we are delivering on our promise to modernise services for the veteran community,” she said.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the launch reflected the government’s broader digital transformation agenda. “Our veterans have given everything by serving their country and it is only right that we give them all the support they need. The digital Veteran Card will help reduce red tape and make it easier for people to access the public services they rely on.”
The digital version complements the existing physical card, which remains available for those who prefer it. Both options will continue to provide proof of service and access to relevant benefits. In this first phase the card can be used in person, and the government plans to add online verification in a future update. This will allow veterans to confirm their status for digital transactions and online service applications without having to upload documents each time.
The launch is part of a wider government effort to build a secure, user-centred system of digital credentials that simplifies access to services and strengthens identity assurance. Future developments are expected to expand the GOV.UK One Login platform into a digital wallet, bringing together different proofs of entitlement such as licences, certificates and other government-issued credentials.