OMB Memo 26-18: Scaling Use of Login.gov to Deliver a Universal Sign-on for Public Services
By now you may have seen that OMB issued a memo that deals with digital identity management and use of Login.gov in the Executive Branch.
The Login.gov team is proud to be part of this important initiative to prioritize investments in digital identity, which will strengthen government systems and make it easier for members of the public to access critical services while defending against dangers like identity fraud.
We are committed to continuing to be a secure and cost-effective option for identity verification, and we are here to help you as you develop your plan as required in the memo. Here are some helpful resources to guide you through the process:
- M-26-18: Scaling Use of Login.gov to Deliver a Universal Sign-on for Public Services [PDF]
- OMB Max page (includes reporting instructions and FAQs)
- Determining your assurance level guidance overview
We anticipate sharing more guidance for partners to support implementation of the memo. As we move forward, the Login.gov team is ready to help onboard new applications or advise on whether applications should implement additional functionality such as identity verification.
Coming soon: Refreshed Login.gov Partner Website
We’re refreshing the Login.gov Partner website to make it easier for partners to find the information and support they need. Once launched, the new site will integrate with our partner support ticketing system and include many updated knowledge base articles. Before submitting a ticket, partners will be able to use the search feature to quickly look for answers to common questions and explore available guidance.
Bookmark partners.login.gov for your support needs, coming soon!
Login.gov Now Accepting Mobile Driver’s Licenses
We are pleased to announce that Login.gov now supports mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) as a secure, privacy-enhancing option for digital identity verification. With mDLs, users can quickly verify their identity from their smartphone, providing more convenience and control over the personal data they share with government services. For agency partners, this capability bolsters fraud prevention through cryptographic verification, making identity proofing more robust and resilient against emerging threats such as AI-generated deepfakes and counterfeit documents.
The addition of mDLs aligns Login.gov with the latest standards and broadens access to secure government services for the over 70 million individuals in states and territories where mDLs are available. Login.gov is currently supporting mDLs stored in Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet, and is in the process of adding support for additional mDL sources. This enhancement is part of Login.gov’s ongoing commitment to deliver a modern, user-centered digital experience that meets agency needs while expanding secure, flexible verification options for all.
Improving the End-to-End Login.gov User Journey
Login.gov is continuing to collaborate with the National Design Studio (ND Studio) to improve the Login.gov user experience. In October, we will begin conducting A/B testing to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed enhancements to the Login.gov user journey. During this testing phase, a small percentage of users randomized across all applications will experience the new design while others will continue with the current flow. It’s important to note that the steps in the workflows (e.g., sign-in, identity verification, etc.) have not changed, it’s just the visual look-and-feel. Regardless, this approach allows us to gather meaningful data about what works best to ensure we deliver real improvements. To help alleviate any user confusion, we have also created a preview on our website.
Login.gov and the ND Studio will review the A/B test results together and make refinements before full-scale deployment. GSA will continue to guide changes to the service through our usual review processes, including engineering, security, accessibility, privacy, compliance, performance, and product considerations. The goal is to adopt improvements that support a better user experience and align with the needs of the service.
Deprecation of Personal Keys as an Authentication Method
Login.gov will fully deprecate personal keys as an authentication method, following a phased transition beginning in the coming weeks to ensure users are not blocked from accessing their accounts. Personal keys, which account for less than 0.02% of authentication attempts and have a much lower success rate than other methods, were originally designed for legacy accounts and are no longer issued for authentication. This deprecation will help reduce technical debt while maintaining security and a streamlined user experience. Existing and new verified users who have a personal key for identity verified profile recovery will not be affected. Impacted users will be guided to set up alternative authentication methods before this change is finalized.
Coming Soon: Streamlining Passkey Setup for Login.gov users
To make authentication easier, faster, and more secure, Login.gov plans to introduce an automatic prompt for mobile users to set up a passkey (presented to users as face or touch unlock) immediately after creating their Login.gov account. Passkeys are the most widely available phishing-resistant authentication method we offer and nearly 90% of consumer devices are eligible. By reducing friction and streamlining the setup/auth flows, we expect to improve adoption, enhance security, and deliver a smoother experience for both users and agencies.
New reporting data available in the Production Partner Portal
You can now view authentication and identity verification data tabs on the Production Partner Portal (P3) Reports page. This completes the initial set of P3 reports to provide partners with a solid foundation of metrics and insights for their applications. Instead of receiving monthly emailed reports, partners can access the information anytime they want on the P3 Reports page. Please note that this data is intended for operational visibility and is not representative of billing information. If your agency has not yet migrated and you are interested in transitioning to the new Partner Portal, please contact our team at partners@login.gov.
Editing Made Easier in the Partner Portal
We’ve updated the Edit flow in the partner portal. Now, clicking “Edit” on a configuration in the Production environment will take you directly to the long form page instead of the wizard. This change is based on feedback from agency partners, who shared that the long form is faster and more efficient for quick edits, while the wizard is better suited for first-time setup. The long form allows users to update any field without extra clicks and avoids confusion from starting partway through the wizard. We’re making this update to streamline your workflow and will also explore ways to further improve the long form’s usability.
Login.gov at FedID 2026
It was great to connect with so many of you at the 2026 FedID Forum and Expo. Our team led lively panel discussions covering everything from fraud detection to the latest NIST Rev4 digital identity standards. We also shared a look at our roadmap and the growing momentum behind Login.gov following the recent OMB memo. To top it off, we were thrilled to take home FedID’s “Best Educational Effort” award for our video series. If you haven’t seen the videos yet, check out our Login.gov YouTube page.
Throughout the conference, it was inspiring to hear your enthusiasm about expanding shared identity services across government. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to chat. We’re energized to keep working together to make digital access simpler and more secure for everyone.