What you need to know
- New Mexico residents can now store their state IDs in Google Wallet, joining states like California, Arizona, and Georgia.
- While physical IDs are still necessary for law enforcement and age checks, the NM Verifier app is being used by more businesses and TSA checkpoints for smartphone-based verification.
- Google Wallet is also introducing digital passport IDs, which will facilitate travel through TSA checkpoints.
Residents of New Mexico have the option to save their driver’s licenses and state IDs in Google Wallet.
New Mexico is the latest state to incorporate Google’s digital identification technology, becoming the sixth state to do so. California was the first to join in August, with Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, and Maryland following suit.
The process of adding your New Mexico ID to Google Wallet is simple. Open the app, select “Add to Wallet,” choose “ID,” and follow the instructions. You will need to take photos of both sides of your ID and record a brief selfie video for verification. Once completed, you will receive a notification that your digital ID is ready to use. It can then be accessed like your payment cards.
Although physical IDs are still required by New Mexico law for law enforcement and age verification, more businesses and TSA checkpoints are utilizing the NM Verifier app to allow residents to verify their IDs using their smartphones.
In addition, Google Wallet will soon support digital passport IDs. Eligible users will be able to store a digital version of their US passport in the app, streamlining the process at certain TSA checkpoints.
While the digital ID feature of Google Wallet is convenient, it is not a complete replacement for physical IDs at this time. It is recommended to continue carrying your physical ID, especially during travel, until digital IDs become more widely accepted.
To create a digital US passport ID in the app, simply select the option to “create an ID pass with your U.S. passport” and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
If you are planning a domestic flight with a digital passport, it is advisable to check the TSA’s map of supported states and airports.