Army ID Card Photos From the Comfort of Your Home

Get your perfect biometric photo (compliance guaranteed)

1M+
approved
ID photos
200%
Guarantee of
acceptance
Army ID Card Photos From the Comfort of Your Home
1M+
approved
ID photos
200%
Guarantee of
acceptance

How does it work?

Get the perfect biometric photo in 3 minutes or less.

Check out just how simple it is!

Snap or upload a photo

Snap or upload a photo

That's the only thing you need to do. Snap or upload a photo - we'll take care of the rest.

AI prepares the photo

AI prepares the photo

Artificial Intelligence will check your photo, crop it to the right size and remove the background.

Expert verification

Expert verification

Our Photo Expert will make additional verification to check if your photo meets the official requirements.

Digital or print photos

Digital or print photos

You can download a digital version and order a printout which we will send within 2-4 days. Delivery is free!

Why?

Take a biometric photo conveniently without leaving home

You save time and money

Convenience

Don't waste time, effort or money. You can take your passport photo without leaving home.

Professional service

Over 1 million people have used our services within the past 11 years. Our Photo Experts are available 24/7.

Money-back guarantee

We guarantee the authorities will accept your photo(s) or we will refund double your purchase cost!

Satisfaction guarantee

Take as many photo shots as you want - you pay only when you are satisfied.

How to take a photo?

Taking a photo for your ID has never been so easy.

Follow these simple instruction to take the perfect ID photo.

1

Body-camera distance

The distance between the face and the camera should be about 40 cm. Ideally the photo should be taken by the other person.

2

Posture: Straight ahead

Place your face in front of the lens. Hold the camera at eye level and keep neutral face expression.

3

Lighting

Stand facing the light source, for example an exposed window. The background will be cut out, don't worry about it.

Army ID Card Photo Size & Requirements

Effortless DOD Army ID Card Photos [Home Edition]
Size
Width: 2 in
Height: 2 in
Resolution
301 dpi
Is it suitable for online submission?
Yes
Image definition parameters
Head height: 1.29 in
Bottom of the Photo to the Eye Line: 1.18 in
Is it printable?
Yes
Background Color
Show more

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More about DOD Army ID Card Photo - Requirements

Military ID Photo Guidelines

The Army ID cards are for active-duty, armed forces, national guards, reserves, DOD civil servants and select contractor workforce. They provide access to many services and benefits such as legal assistance, education benefits, commissaries, Tricare, use of morale and welfare activities, exchanges and even discounts at many restaurants and stores. 

In this guide, you meet the types of military ID cards, how to take a photo to your army ID card, you will meet the requirements regarding DOD and you will find out how to get one!

Military ID photo specifications

Each document, especially one which can be alternate for a national ID card, needs to have a photograph to help authorities be able to recognize the identity of its holder military ID card, if necessary.

Army ID photo size

The military ID card requires you to submit one photograph in a passport or driving licence size 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) and not bigger than 3MB.

Other specifications regarding Military ID card photos:

  • The background of the photo should be white or light-coloured and uniform.
  • Facial expressions should be neutral with the mouth closed, try not to smile 
  • The person's face should not be obscured, evenly lit and fully visible. 
  • The face should face the lens, eyes must be open and visible
  • You shouldn’t upload a photo taken later than 6 months before the date of submitting the application for an identity document.
  • The photo must be high-quality printed on a photo paper, not on a home printer.
  • The head (from the chest to the forehead) should be straight and not covered by any hats, hairs, etc.
  • Head covering (e.g. a headscarf) can be worn only for religious or medical reasons but the facial features from the jaw to the forehead and from one ear joint to the face must be visible.
  • Glasses are allowed, however, it is better to take them off because they can reflect the light; don’t wear sunglasses or glasses with very thick frames.
  • If you have a beard, make sure that you do not grow it just before the photo but it is your actual look.

Types of military ID cards

There are plenty of types of DOD ID cards. However, The Department of Defense issues three main types of ID cards:

  • The Common Access Card (CAC) is the standard ID for active-duty service members, Department of Defense civilian employees, Selected Reserve members, and other contractors. The CAC facilitates physical entry to installations and buildings, documents your affiliation with the Department for use of military services, programs and benefits for which you may be eligible. It also enables logical access to systems and secured computer networks. 
  • The Uniformed Services ID Card is for family members of the military, i.e. for military spouses and dependent children over 10, retirees and former service members, members of the inactive National Guard and Individual Ready Reserves. Its holder can use some military services and programs. Others eligible for military benefits are because of their affiliation with the Defense Department, like 100% disabled veterans, eligible foreign military, former spouses who have not remarried, Transitional Health Care recipients, and other eligible populations as described in DOD policy. 
  • The Department of Defense Civilian Retiree Card is for retired civilians from any Department of Defense agency.

The types above are the main and the most popular ones, we recommend visiting the Department of Defense’s official army ID cards website for more information about the eligibility, card types, renewal and some other services.

Military ID Card Photo Tool

As everything in the army has to be sorted, your photo to your military ID card should be sorted too!

We know that photos for documents might cause a lot of trouble. To make the process of applying for an army ID card easier, you can take a photo for your ID online! Find help on the Passport Photo Online site which measures the size, removes the background and works like a photo editor which automatically meets the official government requirements

If you need a photo to your military ID card and you decided to try taking photos at home, you should try our photo booth app or website which will perfectly edit any photo to the document you want. Get sorted it now!

How to renew, change or replace your army ID card?

To renew, change or replace your ID card, your profile in DEERS will need to be up to date. 

You can check or change your DEERS information online.

If your card expires in the next 90 days or maybe you leave your duty soon, you need to have your ID reissued. To renew or change your ID you have to do it in the way you got it but with some small changes depending on the reason why you need to get a new military ID card:

  • If you lost your ID you can apply for a new one at a RAPIDS site or through the ID Card Office Online. That the ID card is missing should be reported by Service members CACs to their chain of command.
  • To renew or replace your military ID card, you can apply to the Department of Defense online using the ID Card Office Online.

You can go to the MilConnect website to change your status. There should be a pre-arrival checklist to learn more about renewing your military ID.

Photocopying military ID cards

Once you manage to get your military ID card, it is important to keep it safe. Make sure you have it in your wallet, badge holder or safely in the pocket of your backpack.

Popular is photocopying and you might be aware of this if someone asks you to photocopy your military ID card, this is a violation of Title 18, US Code Part I, Chapter 33, Section 701.

Even while being on holiday and trying to rent something or book a hotel, don’t let anyone photocopy your card!

Often, both military personnel and commercial establishments are unaware of this law while verifying the military identity for government rates, discounts or deals on services, lodging or products.

Last update: 6/3/23

About the document

Army ID Card

The Department of Defense issues army ID cards to active service members which means that it gives its holders access to military services and programs. They can also be given to their family members and others to prove their identity and their connection to the Defense Department.

Each military ID card contains:

  • two digital fingerprints,
  • the right size photograph,
  • Personal Identity Verification (PIV) certificate,
  • organizational affiliation, agency, department,
  • the DOD ID number which is displayed on the back of the card,
  • expiration date.

The barcode of the card stores the name, date of birth, benefits information, personnel category, organizational affiliation, pay category and pay grade.

How to get your military ID card?

To get any of the military ID cards, like CAC, the Uniformed Services ID Card and the Civilian Retiree Card, you must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System.

Army ID card application requirements

The process of applying starts with the DD Form 1172-2. You can submit the form through the ID Card Office Online or in person at a RAPIDS site that finds a location near you to make an appointment.

You will need to go to a RAPIDS site with:

  • a completed DD Form 1172-2 
  • two forms of identification
  • a state or federal government photo ID
  • marriage certificate if you are newly married 
  • proof of relationship have to bring children under 18 years old, the proof has to be of relation to their military sponsor, e.g. a birth certificate

You may require additional documentation depending on your eligibility or circumstances. After your appointment at the RAPIDS site, you’ll get your first CAC, Uniformed Services ID Card or Civilian Retiree Card.

For more details on how to apply for your first military ID, go to the official DOD websites.

Military ID card fees

  • The Common Access Card (CAC) - cost approximately $132.
  • The Veterans ID (VA) costs can range from free to about $15 although even if free there most likely is a fee to reissue a card if not already up for renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

What is an ID in the army?

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An army or military identity card is an identity document issued to soldiers, veterans, active-duty services and families of the military of the armed forces of various countries.

What is accepted as Photo ID?

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The most popular size is 2 inch x 2 inch (51 mm x 51 mm) and photo to any ID documents under these dimensions should work though a lot depends on the country you apply for ID in. Usually the passport or driving liense pictures will also work well in an ID card.

Is a military ID a valid form of identification?

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In some areas or states military ID cards are most common than in others but generally it can be treated like a national ID card to verify your identity.
You have to find out the law about photocopying. For example, photocopying of military ID cards is illegal under a violation of Title 18, US Code Part I, Chapter 33, Section 701.
To get a military ID card you have to register with the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and complete a Form 1172-2. You can submit the form through the ID Card Office Online or in person at a RAPIDS site.
For CAC can apply active-duty military personnel, activated reservists and National Guard, Department of Defense civilian employees, eligible contractor personnel and other eligible populations as described in DOD policy.
Generally, a photo is not your ID, you need a document with a photograph to be able to buy alcohol. Usually it can be any ID card, passport, driver license, etc.
The most eligible are those who currently serves in the military (active duty, Guards, Reserves, etc.) or you are military retiree or you are family member of someone who is in the army.
The answer is yes, a U.S. military ID card is treated equally with a valid passport or state-issued enhanced driver's license. TSA will accept it as a form of your ID.