Identity Verification with the OpenCCC Student Account System
To protect the identity of returning students and prospective applicants before they enter the CCC system, the OpenCCC student account system is integrated with third-party identity verification systems.
On This Page
Methods of Identity Verification (ID.me, DMV Wallet, Manual Verification)
Choosing Your Verification Method (benefits of each method)
Methods of Verification
Identity verification can be accomplished using one of these methods:
 | California DMV Wallet with Mobile Driver’s License (mDL), an integrated state-sponsored tool used to verify identity both online and in person through an app on the user’s mobile device. For students, see the DMV website on How to get started with DMV Wallet. For colleges, get started with CA DMV Wallet Identity Verification Integration. Key Benefits: can also be used instead of a physical ID for purchasing age-restricted products and for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checks. |
| ID.me , an integrated third-party verification tool used by multiple state and federal agencies used to verify identity online. For students, see ID.me’s website on How to get started with ID.me. For colleges, see ID.me Identity Verification Integration Key Benefits: live support options, does not require a smartphone |
| Students unable to use ID.me or DMV Wallet can go to their college for manual verification by local Admissions & Records (A&R) or Financial Aid staff. This process can be used for minors, individuals who prefer in-person verification, or anyone who cannot easily prove their identity. |
These systems are compliant with federal-level security standards and provide identity verification options for applicants aged 18 and older.
Choosing Your Verification Method
The two online options, DMV Wallet or ID.me, both offer secure authentication.
DMV Wallet offers benefits beyond college applications. In certain situations, it may serve as identification in place of a physical driver’s license card.
If a student has trouble setting up DMV Wallet with mDL, they can use ID.me as their verification method. ID.me offers live support options if they encounter any issues during the verification process. The DMV Wallet does not have any live chat or video support.
Important!! To verify their identity as a California Community Colleges (CCC) student, users must sign into or create their OpenCCC student account and follow the steps within the account workflow to complete the identity verification process. Logging directly into ID.me or their CA DMV Wallet will not complete identity verification for the CCC.
Students can use the table below to compare the two methods of verification, then follow the instructions for their preferred method:
Feature | DMV Wallet with mDL | ID.me |
|---|---|---|
In Pilot (limited number of organizations implementing it) | Yes | No |
Free for Users | Yes | Yes |
Free for Organizations such as the CCC System | Yes | No |
In-person support | Some DMV locations have in-person support | No |
Live chat or video support | No | Yes, when user opens an ID.me support ticket |
Approved for use with:
| No | Yes |
TSA Approved | Yes | No |
May be used as ID instead of a Driver’s License, including AB 60 licenses | Yes | No |
Supports verification using a computer instead of a smartphone or tablet | No | Yes |
To learn more about each system, see the ID.me Help Center, or DMV Wallet mDL Q&A.
Related Resources: