Recently got an email from treasury direct ( [
[email protected]](mailto:
[email protected])) that they will make ID.me mandatory for login on October 28, 2026 and will initially phase in the option September 13, 2026. While I use this anyway for IRS login, I know a lot of people will almost certainly get confused by this change. It seems odd they skipped over login.gov and instead went private. Im considering helping some elderly relatives just pull their money out of I bonds and invest in in Muni's in a reg brokerage as if you have ever been locked out of ID.me you will know the hassle to get back in.
Actual email:
Dear TreasuryDirect Customer,
TreasuryDirect is excited to share that, starting next month, a new login experience, [ID.me](https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.id.me%2F/1/010101a0066453e5-2afce241-3c6f-4c7e-9af1-eae2d1b09d05-000000/voF2swWCJnvndjAb9B_0JThQiZTBGs4eaKzXKO2EU2c=452) ([https://www.id.me/](https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.id.me%2F/2/010101a0066453e5-2afce241-3c6f-4c7e-9af1-eae2d1b09d05-000000/_-O4kuCdusEDr3rSRUwehXw4vLa1VLYlJrRvXK0N8gQ=452)), is coming to TreasuryDirect. ID.me is a standard, trusted, government-verified identity provider that uses secure technology with robust identity-proofing to verify your access. Logging in with the ID.me verification process adds a layer of assurance that only *you* can manage your TreasuryDirect account(s) and securities, so your sensitive personal and financial information is protected as you conduct digital transactions. Also, because ID.me is used by other federal agencies, it allows you to safely access multiple government services without needing separate accounts. Starting on October 28, 2026, ID.me will be required to log in to TreasuryDirect and will replace your current TreasuryDirect traditional login.
**What to Expect**
**No action is required now, but starting on September 13, 2026, you can begin using** [**ID.me**](http://ID.me) **to log in to TreasuryDirect**. Additional information, including required actions and key dates, will be provided before the transition begins. Here’s what you can expect as part of this update:
* **Once live in September 2026, you’ll be prompted to set up or log in to your ID.me account through TreasuryDirect.gov.**
* **To set up a new** [**ID.me**](http://ID.me) **account, you’ll need two government-issued forms of identity ready.** This can be your SSN and a valid government-issued photo ID, such as driver’s license, state ID, passport or passport card. You may also be asked for further photo verification using your cell phone’s camera.
* Note that if you already have an [ID.me](http://ID.me) account, you may be asked to complete additional identity verification to meet the TreasuryDirect security requirements before you can use it to access TreasuryDirect.
* **Once you have an** [**ID.me**](http://ID.me) **account, you’ll set up your** [ID.me digital “Wallet”](https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.id.me%2Fwallet-overview/1/010101a0066453e5-2afce241-3c6f-4c7e-9af1-eae2d1b09d05-000000/z_7yfORllOPujHDbHxKRIcjbnEVxzS93hPmW0P_0lVU=452) ([https://www.id.me/wallet-overview](https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.id.me%2Fwallet-overview/2/010101a0066453e5-2afce241-3c6f-4c7e-9af1-eae2d1b09d05-000000/ElHaW-kLpE5JYYNIc8RGnNNcjBuPQOKZz9TZK4CblZw=452)). Your wallet securely stores your verified identity information and will make logging in quicker going forward.
**More Information**
If you would like to know more about [ID.me](http://ID.me), or need help, you can visit [ID.me’s help center](https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fhelp.id.me%2Fhc%2Fen-us/1/010101a0066453e5-2afce241-3c6f-4c7e-9af1-eae2d1b09d05-000000/aytWRlFJZGf6XwdI9RxnP62ATW2sdfoUXGTtUsxd3uE=452) ([https://help.id.me/hc/en-us](https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fhelp.id.me%2Fhc%2Fen-us/2/010101a0066453e5-2afce241-3c6f-4c7e-9af1-eae2d1b09d05-000000/pqO7_LdrREddVBpxgr3LwmYbL2p8VHf56Vc6VVHjJBI=452)) or TreasuryDirect’s [ID.me](http://ID.me) [FAQ page](https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.treasurydirect.gov%2Fsavings-bonds%2Fhelp-center%2Ffaqs%2Fidme-faq%2F/1/010101a0066453e5-2afce241-3c6f-4c7e-9af1-eae2d1b09d05-000000/XnW2bz9GdPcmTxkC8u0Lizcs6ET3b8MYvjdbM1cQxgA=452) [https://www.treasurydirect.gov/savings-bonds/help-center/faqs/idme-faq/](https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.treasurydirect.gov%2Fsavings-bonds%2Fhelp-center%2Ffaqs%2Fidme-faq%2F/2/010101a0066453e5-2afce241-3c6f-4c7e-9af1-eae2d1b09d05-000000/6JASJAEyfCgE2BcbK0pQctrjQvfe2Hq__3cm3R9RGtI=452)
We appreciate you trusting the US Treasury with your investments.
TreasuryDirect