Verifiable digital credentials are transforming how residents interact with government agencies, from renewing licenses to applying for permits to accessing benefits. Instead of re-entering the same information across multiple agency portals, residents authenticate once with their digital identity and access services seamlessly.
The citizen portal model
Modern government digital service delivery centers on unified citizen portals that separate convenient access from higher-assurance identity verification. Residents log into a single platform (such as a state citizen portal, benefits system, or permitting interface) using standard authentication methods supported by the State’s SSO or identity gateway.
For routine access, SSO establishes a trusted session and enables residents to navigate services without repeated logins. When higher assurance is required (such as submitting regulated applications, accessing sensitive records, or completing legally significant actions), the portal can require step-up authentication using a state-endorsed digital identity credential, such as a State-Endorsed Digital Identity (SEDI) or mobile driver’s license (mDL).
Once authenticated at the appropriate assurance level, the portal can recognize the resident and pre-populate verified information, reducing redundant data entry across services. Instead of repeatedly re-entering name, address, or other core attributes, the resident confirms their identity once and proceeds directly to the task at hand.
In this model, authentication and assurance are applied proportionally based on risk: the portal manages access and service delivery, while state-issued digital credentials provide higher-confidence identity verification only when needed. This approach improves usability, supports data minimization, and aligns identity controls with the sensitivity of each transaction.
Cross-agency credential use
Government services span many agencies, each with different systems and requirements. Verifiable digital credentials enable interoperability across this landscape.
A resident might hold credentials from multiple issuers: a driver's license from the DMV, professional licenses from regulatory boards, permits from natural resources agencies. All of these can reside in the same wallet and be presented to verifiers across government and private sector contexts.
When one agency accepts a credential issued by another, it avoids repeating the same identity verification process. If the DMV has already verified a resident’s identity to issue a driver’s license, that verification does not need to be repeated when the resident applies for another state service. This reduces reliance on repeated, costly identity verification checks across agencies, lowers vendor and operational expenses, and improves consistency, while maintaining appropriate assurance levels.
Permit and license management
Verifiable digital credentials are well suited for permits and licenses that residents need to present periodically. Food handler permits, outdoor recreation licenses, professional certifications, and vehicle registrations all benefit from digital delivery and verification.
When permits are issued or renewed, residents receive credentials immediately in their digital wallets – there is no waiting for mail delivery or in-person pickup. These credentials can be presented using verifiable QR codes or NFC and can be validated offline without a live connection to agency systems. This enables fast, reliable verification in rural areas or low-connectivity environments and reduces delays caused by network availability.
Inspectors and enforcement staff can verify permits in seconds by scanning a code, rather than calling an office or accessing back-end systems. A food handler permit can be checked during an inspection, or a park ranger can confirm an off-highway vehicle permit in the field, even where internet access is limited. Offline-capable verification speeds up inspections, reduces administrative overhead, and improves field operations.
Renewal reminders flow through the same digital channel. As a permit approaches expiration, the resident receives a notification through their wallet and can renew online. Once approved, the updated credential is delivered instantly, ensuring residents always have current proof of authorization without additional steps.
Authentication without passwords
Verifiable digital credentials provide an alternative to the username-and-password model, which creates friction and security risks across government services. Instead of maintaining separate accounts with different passwords for each agency, residents authenticate with their digital identity credential.
State single sign-on systems integrate with verifiable digital credentials through standards like OpenID Connect and SAML. Residents can authenticate once using their mDL or state-endorsed digital identity and gain access to connected services without additional login steps. Multi-factor authentication is built into the credential presentation, the device biometrics, or PIN that unlocks the wallet provides the second factor.
This reduces credential fatigue for residents while strengthening security for agencies. No passwords to forget, no accounts to manage, no credentials to store, just one verified identity that works across services.
The accessible government vision
Digital identity for government services delivers on the promise of citizen-centered design. Services become accessible from any device, at any time. Verification happens instantly rather than through mail-in documents and manual processing. Residents control their data and choose what to share in each interaction.
For agencies, verifiable digital credentials reduce administrative burden, improve service delivery speed, and strengthen security. For residents, they simplify interactions with the government while protecting privacy. The technology exists, the standards are mature, and the path to implementation is clear.
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