Veteran ID cards: How many people have applied and how you can get yours

Since launching phase two for the wider veterans community a month ago, the Office for Veterans' Affairs says it has received thousands of applications for veteran ID cards.

A new digital application service was launched at the end of January and, as of 22 February 2024, the department said it had received 72,606 applications, which includes 69,698 digital and 2,908 paper requests.  

And as of 8 February 2024, a total of 28,882 cards had been sent out to applicants in the post.

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The Ministry of Defence (MOD) says it is delivering the service, together with the Office for Veterans' Affairs, as part of ongoing improvements to veteran support.

Veterans who served prior to 2018 and have not received a card can apply by visiting the GOV.UK website.

Until the veteran ID card was created, there was no way for former personnel to easily prove they had been in the Armed Forces.

Previously, they had been required to hand back their ID card, known as a MOD 90, when they were discharged.

Elsewhere, Defence Minister Dr Andrew Murrison has responded to a written parliamentary question, which asked how many veteran ID cards have been distributed in each region.

The Minister for Defence People and Families responded by saying that an update to the case management system will enable the MOD to provide a regional breakdown, on a monthly basis, from March 2024.