Robert Dorris
VFW Post 9342 Ansbach, Germany
VA Accreditation #53923
Department of Europe Service Officer (DSO)
Serving Europe, Africa & the Middle East
Phone: +49 151 40530438
E-mail: rtd3vfw@outlook.com
Kenneth BeBault
VFW Post 605 Paris, France
SFC (Retired) US Army
VA Accreditation #58280
Assistant Department Service Officer (ADSO)
Phone: +44 7711 853497
VFW Service Officer’s Corner October 9, 2026
VA.gov Sign-In and Electronic Health Record Updates for Veterans Overseas
Veterans living overseas may have heard about the CLEAR identity-verification application, changes to the VA.gov sign-in process, and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ ongoing implementation of a new Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. These developments may affect how overseas veterans access VA.gov and receive healthcare information and medical records supporting a VA claim.
Bottom Line Up Front
For veterans living overseas, ID.me currently appears to be the only consistently practical method for completing identity verification and accessing VA.gov. Other verification methods may require extraordinary workarounds when the veteran uses a foreign telephone number or address.
The "CLEAR” app/log-in appears to be created primarily in connection with the VA’s new EHR system. Those Veterans who have in the past and are currently enrolled in VA healthcare may also notice that treatment records from U.S. military clinics in Europe are being shared with their VA electronic health records.
After receiving treatment at a military health clinic, a veteran may receive two email notifications that new medical information is available: one from the Department of Defense or the TRICARE system and another from the Veterans Health Administration. Receiving these notifications depends on your communication preferences and whether your email is up to date with the VA/Tricare.
Background on the VA’s Electronic Health Record Program
The VA’s EHR modernization program is intended to make medical records more accessible, reduce administrative burdens for service members transitioning from military service, and improve coordination among Department of Defense and Veterans Health Administration clinics and healthcare providers.
Service Treatment Records are also expected to be transferred electronically to the VA. The precise point at which this transfer occurs may depend on the applicable process. Currently, records may be transmitted when the VA receives a disability claim. The long-term objective is for the Department of Defense to transfer these records automatically, but that process has not yet been fully implemented.
Until the automated transfer process is fully operational, service members preparing Benefits Delivery at Discharge/Pre-Discharge claims must continue to officially request copies of their Service Treatment Records (including Dental and Behavioral Health) from their local military clinic’s PAD office (Patient Administration Department) and submit them with their claims. Relying solely on an anticipated electronic transfer could delay claim development if the records are not available when the VA begins processing the claim.
VA.gov Login Challenges for Veterans Living Overseas
Veterans using overseas telephone numbers or residential addresses will have difficulty creating or verifying accounts through Login.gov or CLEAR. VPN use may also interfere with the verification process as well. VA.gov does not impose a blanket block on users in the EU. Access-denied errors in the EU are generally IP/network-specific—often involving VPNs, proxies, shared networks, or automated security controls—not a countrywide VA restriction. VA technical support is 866-279-3677.
CLEAR account creation:
When identity verification fails during CLEAR account creation, VA.gov may display only a generic error message without identifying the specific cause. As a result, veterans living overseas may be unable to determine whether the problem involves their telephone number, residential address, internet connection, VPN use, or geographic location, such as being in a "restricted area” [outside the USA] for Login.gov or CLEAR verification.
I tried to create a CLEAR verified login, but it wasn’t completed due to an "error” (see above). I also contacted the CLEAR help desk directly regarding this issue. A representative confirmed that overseas locations are treated as restricted areas for purposes of the CLEAR user verification process for logging into VA.gov- just like with Login.gov.
Veterans living overseas should therefore retain access to their existing ID.me accounts whenever possible and ensure that their contact and recovery information remains current.
Additional Information
Information about the VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization program is available at: https://digital.va.gov/ehr-modernization/
The current implementation schedule identifies November 2031 as the anticipated date for completing the VA’s EHR modernization program.
The official VA news article for the CLEAR program can be found: https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-launches-pilot-program-to-speed-veterans-access-to-services-care-benefits/
Veterans experiencing access problems should document any error messages they receive and contact the appropriate VA.gov, ID.me, Login.gov, or CLEAR support service. They may also contact a VFW-accredited representative for assistance with VA benefits and claims-related concerns.
Prepared by Robert Dorris, the VFW Department of Europe Service Officer
How to Verify Your Identity with ID.me for VA.gov
For U.S. Veterans Living in Europe
Use this checklist when you’re ready to set up or verify your ID.me account so
you can sign in to VA.gov from Europe.
Before or during the process, you can watch the VA’s official video about verifying
your identity on VA.gov by clicking here.
1. What You Need Before You Start
Have these REQUIRED items in front of you:
• Your full Social Security number (SSN)
• At least one main photo ID, for example:
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Non-U.S. passport (from your European country)
- U.S. driver’s license or U.S. state ID
- U.S. permanent resident card (Green Card)
- National ID card (from your European country)
- Veterans Health ID Card (with photo)
- Proof of your current address in Europe (issued within the last 90 days), for example: Utility bill (electricity, gas, internet, phone, water, cable), Bank or credit card statement, or Medical bill
• An email address you can check
• A device with a camera and internet (computer with webcam, or
smartphone/tablet)
Sometimes needed:
• Name change documents, if your current name is different from older IDs
(e.g., marriage certificate, court order)
1. Open your internet browser and go to VA.gov.
2. Click "Sign in with ID.me.”
3. Choose one:
- If you already have an ID.me account: click Sign in, enter your email and password.
- If you do not have an account: click to create a new ID.me account and follow the steps.
ID.me uses Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to protect your account.
• You may use an international phone number to receive a code.
• If your European phone does not work with texts or calls, choose another
method such as:
- A passkey (if offered), or
- A code generator / authenticator app
After signing in to ID.me and starting verification:
• Look for the link "I don’t live in the United States.”
• Click that link.
• Do not choose the regular Self-Service or Video Call options meant for
people inside the U.S.
Then click Get Started.
1. On the Personal Information page:
- Type your name and other requested details.
- Choose your European country from the list.
- Enter your full address exactly as it appears on your bills or bank statements.
4. Click Continue.
Check carefully: Make sure your name and address match your documents.
ID.me will ask what documents you want to use to prove your identity.
1. Select your main photo ID(s) (for example, your U.S. passport).
2. Add any secondary documents (bills, bank statements, etc.) if asked.
3. On each screen, read the yellow box at the top. It tells you what details
must be visible, such as:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Expiration date (for IDs)
- Account or policy number (for bills/statements)
You can send your documents to ID.me in two ways:
Option A – Take Photo (using phone or tablet)
- Enter your phone number if asked; ID.me sends you a secure link.
- Open the link on your smartphone or tablet.
- Follow the steps to take pictures of your documents.
• If you already scanned or photographed your documents:
- Click Choose Image or Upload.
- Select each file from your computer or device.
• Use a flat, plain surface.
• Make sure the whole document is in the picture.
• Avoid glare and blur. Retake if it is not clear.
If your document is not in English:
• If you also have an official translation, place the original and the translation
side by side.
• Take one photo showing both documents.
• Do not write on your official documents.
After uploading, review the images and then click Continue.
8. Wait for Review and Join the Video Call
1. After you upload, ID.me will review your documents.
2. When they are approved, you will see an estimated wait time for a video
call with an ID.me agent (Trusted Referee).
3. Choose one:
- Stay and wait if you have time now, or
- Click Save & Exit or schedule an appointment if you prefer another time.
4. When you are ready, with all your original documents in front of you, click
Join Video Call.
Fraud warning: Only join video calls from inside your secure ID.me session. If
someone sends you a random video link by email or message, tell the ID.me
agent about it as soon as you join the official call.
9. What to Expect During the Video Call
On the call, you will speak with an ID.me Trusted Referee (verification agent).
They will:
- Confirm your personal details (name, date of birth, address, SSN if needed).
- Ask you to hold your documents up to the camera.
Your job:
- Use original documents (not photocopies).
- Hold each document steady and close enough to read.
- Follow the agent’s direc@ons (move closer, @lt to avoid glare, etc.).
- If you don’t understand, ask: "Could you repeat that more slowly, please?”
Language help:
- If you prefer another language, tell the agent.
- ID.me can bring in an interpreter (over 240 languages supported).
When the agent finishes:
1. You may see a message that your identity is verified.
2. Go back to VA.gov.
3. Sign in again using ID.me (same email and password).
4. When asked if VA.gov can use your ID.me information, click Allow or Allow
and Continue.
You should now be able to access your VA.gov account from Europe.
You can also use this same ID.me account to sign in to other services that
accept ID.me.
Use this to check that you’re ready before you start:
• I know my full Social Security number.
• I have at least one main photo ID (passport, driver’s license, state ID, etc.).
• I have a recent bill or statement (last 90 days) with my European address
and my name.
• I can get into my email account.
• I have a computer, smartphone, or tablet with a camera and internet.
• I can receive security codes (by phone, text, or another method like an app).
• I know how to join a video call, or I have someone who can help me.
• I know I can watch VA’s video here if I need help:
https://www.va.gov/resources/verifying-your-identity-on-vagov/#how-can-i-verify-my-identity-o
Need extra help? Ask a trusted family member, friend, or caregiver to sit with
you while you go through these steps, especially for taking photos and joining
the video call.
