This article explains why a verified, government-issued photo ID is part of your Circle Medical account, which IDs we accept, and what to do if your ID is expired, temporary, or doesn't match your account details.
Looking for step-by-step upload instructions? See How to upload or replace your ID.
Why do I need to verify my ID?
Most Circle Medical visits happen over video, so your provider can't glance at your ID the way a front desk at a clinic would. Verifying your ID once does that job for every visit that follows. It lets us:
Confirm that the person in the appointment is the person whose medical record is being treated
Meet the federal and state rules that apply to telehealth, including the checks providers must complete before prescribing medication remotely
Protect your account and health information from fraud or a mix-up with another patient
This applies to every patient, whether or not you take medication. It isn't a judgment about you or your care. It's how we keep remote care as safe as an in-person visit.
Which IDs are accepted?
We accept a valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID. The following types are accepted on both the mobile app and the web portal:
Driver's license (any US state)
State-issued ID card
Tribal ID
US passport or passport card
Passport issued by another country
Permanent Resident card (green card)
Foreign passports
Not accepted:
Expired IDs
School, work, gym, library, or insurance cards
Photocopies, printouts, scans, or photos of a screen, including IDs stored in a phone wallet
Someone else's ID, even a family member's
Other IDs issued outside the US, such as a foreign driver's license or national ID card
Does my ID need to match my account?
Yes. During verification, the last name and date of birth on your ID are compared with the details on your Circle Medical account. If either doesn't match, verification fails even if the ID itself is valid. This is one of the most common reasons an upload is rejected.
Before you upload, check that:
The last name on your account matches the last name on your ID. If you've recently married, divorced, or legally changed your name, either update your account first or use the ID that matches your account.
Your date of birth is entered correctly in your account.
You can review your personal details in Account Settings on the mobile app or web portal. If something needs to change and you can't edit it yourself, start a chat and the support team will update it for you.
When should I upload my ID?
As soon as you create your account or start your appointment check-in, and at least one hour before your first appointment so there's time for verification to finish. If you have an appointment coming up and no ID on file, you'll be asked to add one when you check in.
What happens if my ID isn't verified when my appointment starts?
A verified, unexpired ID is required to attend appointments.
New patients: Your first appointment can't go ahead without a verified government-issued ID on your account. Temporary IDs aren't accepted for a first visit.
Established patients: If your ID has expired, you can attend with a temporary ID (see below), although your provider may ask you to reschedule until your official ID is on file.
If a valid ID isn't on your account when the appointment begins, your provider may cancel the visit. To avoid this, check your verification status in Account Settings the day before.
If you know your ID won't be ready in time, reschedule in advance. Our cancellation, rescheduling, and no-show fees FAQ explains how the timing of a reschedule affects fees.
What do I do if my ID has expired?
Once the expiration date on your ID passes, your verification status changes to Expired and you'll need to replace it with a current ID.
New patients: Add a valid, unexpired ID before your first appointment.
Established patients: Replace your expired ID with your renewed one as soon as you have it. If your new card hasn't arrived yet, see Temporary IDs below.
Ready to upload? See our steps on how to upload or replace your ID.
Temporary IDs
What counts as a temporary ID?
A temporary ID is an interim document issued by the DMV or a passport agency while your permanent ID is being produced. Common examples are a paper interim driver's license, or a renewal receipt presented together with your expired card.
Who can use a temporary ID?
New patients: Temporary IDs aren't accepted for your first appointment. Your official ID needs to be verified on your account before you can be seen.
Established patients: You can use a temporary ID to attend one appointment while you wait for your official ID.
How do I add a temporary ID?
Temporary IDs are usually printed on paper, so they can't pass the automatic scan used for official IDs. They're added differently:
Web portal: Upload your temporary ID directly in the Government ID section of Account Settings.
Mobile app: Start a chat and attach a clear photo of your temporary ID. The support team will add it to your account.
How long can I use a temporary ID?
Your temporary ID is valid for one appointment. Please upload your official ID as soon as it arrives to avoid delays with future visits.
Can I join my appointment with a temporary ID?
Established patients can, once it has been added to their account. Please note, your provider may still ask to reschedule until your official ID is verified.
New patients will need to have a valid, government-issued ID uploaded to their account to attend their first appointment.
Can I get a prescription or refill with a temporary ID?
It depends. Your provider will review your temporary ID and your medical record before writing or refilling a prescription. In some cases, they may wait until your official ID is verified, especially for controlled substances.
What should I do when my official ID arrives?
You'll need to replace the temporary ID with your official one.
On the web portal, select Replace ID.
On the mobile app, start a chat to have the temporary ID removed, then scan your new ID.
For more, see how to upload or replace your ID.
What can the support team help with?
The support team can:
Remove an expired, failed, or temporary ID so you can upload a new one
Add a temporary ID to your account
Update account details, such as a last name or date of birth, that don't match your ID
Look into a verification that's stuck in Pending or that you believe failed in error
The support team can't:
Upload your official ID for you. For your security, official IDs must be scanned by you through the mobile app or web portal.
How is my ID kept private?
Your ID is checked through a secure identity verification service and stored as part of your protected health information, with the same safeguards as the rest of your medical record. It's used to confirm your identity and protect your account.
How do I check my verification status?
Open Account Settings and look at the Government ID section on the mobile app or web portal. You'll see your status along with the ID type, expiration date, and upload date.
Verified: You're all set.
Pending: Your photos were submitted and are being checked.
Failed: Something didn't pass. See why verifications fail and how to fix them.
Expired: The ID on file has passed its expiration date and needs to be replaced.
Important note: the "Congratulations" screen at the end of the upload means your photos were submitted, not that verification is complete. Always confirm your status in Account Settings.