New veterans ID cards available: How to get yours from the VA

Honorably discharged veterans from all eras can now receive a new veterans ID card.

The Veterans Identification Card, or VIC, is now available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The card was mandated as part of legislation passed in 2015.

"The new Veterans Identification Card provides a safer and more convenient and efficient way for most veterans to show proof of service," said VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin. "With the card, veterans with honorable service to our nation will no longer need to carry around their paper DD-214s to obtain veteran discounts and other services."

There is no charge for the ID card. The cards will not, however, qualify as official government-issued identification.

To request a VIC, visit vets.gov and click on "Apply for Printed Veteran ID Card" on the bottom left of the page and sign in or create an account. Veterans will be required to upload a copy of government-issued ID, such as a drivers license or passport, a copy of a recent photograph for the card and service-related details.

Only honorably discharged veterans - including those from the reserve components - are eligible to receive the card.

Veterans who apply for a card should receive it within 60 days and delivery status can be checked at vets.gov. A digital version of the VIC will be available online by mid-December.