Apply for an HM Armed Forces Veteran Card

An HM Armed Forces Veteran Card is a way to prove that you served in the UK armed forces. The card can make it quicker and easier to apply for support as a veteran.

It鈥檚 free to apply.

You can currently only apply for a Veteran Card if you have a UK address. Veterans who do not have a UK address will be able to apply later this year.

Check what you can do with a Veteran Card.

Who can get an HM Armed Forces Veteran Card

You can apply if you were in the regulars or reserves for the:

  • Royal Navy
  • Army
  • Royal Air Force (RAF)
  • Royal Marines

You may also be able to apply if you served in:

  • the Royal Fleet Auxiliary听
  • the Merchant Navy听- and you sailed in support of the UK armed forces
  • another group in the UK armed forces

You can check when you apply online or when you call to request a postal form.

You cannot apply if you served:

  • in the armed forces of another country

  • alongside the UK armed forces, for example in the Royal Canadian Navy or Royal Australian Air Force

What you鈥檒l need

When you apply, you鈥檒l be asked for:

Apply online听

To apply online, you鈥檒l need to prove your identity using 188体育 One Login. You鈥檒l be able to create a 188体育 One Login if you do not already have one.听

To do this, you鈥檒l need:

  • an email address

  • photo ID - for example, a UK passport or driving licence

You can only apply online if you鈥檙e applying on your own behalf. If you鈥檙e getting a card for someone else, apply by post.

Other ways to apply

Contact the Veterans UK Helpline if you cannot apply online.听

They鈥檒l send you a form that you can return by post. The form is available in English or Welsh.

Veterans UK Helpline
[email protected]
Telephone: 0808 1914 218
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm
Find out about call charges听听

After you鈥檝e applied

You鈥檒l usually get your Veteran Card within:

  • 6 weeks, if you apply online
  • 14 weeks, if you apply by post

You can also apply for a veterans badge or a medal if you鈥檙e eligible.

If you live in Northern Ireland

You can choose to either:

Email the Veterans Welfare Service to find your nearest office.

Get help

Contact the Veterans UK Helpline if you need help applying.

Veterans UK Helpline
[email protected]
Telephone: 0808 1914 218
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm听听
Find out about call charges听听