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Create and Link Login.gov User Account

Login.gov is the public’s one account and password for the U.S. government. Login.gov is a shared service and trusted by U.S. government agencies. You may visit the USDA eAuth FAQs for more information on creating your account.

Create a Login.gov account.

If a user does not already have a Login.gov account, use these steps to create an account:

  1. Navigate to Login.gov.
  2. Follow the instructions to set up your account. Review the eAuth FAQS for more information on creating your account.
    1. Enter a unique email address.
    2. Create a secure password for the account.
    3. Add a required multi-factor authentication option like SMS phone/text.
  3. You will be returned to eAuth to link your Login.gov account with eAuth. Follow the steps below to link your account.

Note: If the application you are attempting to access requires a verified identity, you will be notified and then prompted to choose the Login.gov online identity verification process or visit a Service Center Office for in-person assistance with a USDA Local Registration Authority (LRA).  

Link an existing Login.gov Account

For users with new or existing Login.gov accounts please use the following steps to link your account to the USDA eAuth application:

  1. Navigate to the application you wish to sign into.
  2. Select the “Customer” option.
  3. Click the Login.gov option. You will be taken to the Login.gov website, where you will log in with your existing Login.gov account. This is one place that the identity verification may trigger.
  4. After logging in, you will be returned to eAuth to link your Login.gov account to eAuth.
    1. If you do not have an eAuth account, or are changing to a different business email, choose the ‘do not link to an existing eAuth account.’
    2. If you have an eAuth account linked to a valid business email, you may choose the ‘link to an existing eAuth account.’ This will prompt you to use your eAuth user ID and password one last time to link the two types of accounts. Once linked, you will only need your Login.gov user ID and password.
  5. eAuth will attempt to redirect you into the application. For more information review the eAuth FAQs for linking Login.gov.
Page updated: March 31, 2026