Unless you receive an exception, you must turn on and use your Google Fi account mainly in the US. Territories aren’t included for this service. With an exception, you can turn on your account outside of the US and use Google Fi abroad for up to 9 months. For more information, refer to the Google Fi Terms of Service.
Learn about SheerID
To receive an international exception, you must verify your government status through SheerID, a trusted third-party verification service. To check and verify military and state department credentials, SheerID works on behalf of Google Fi. For more information, go to goo.gle/fi-sheerid.
For questions about SheerID’s verification process, such as required documents or your request status, email [email protected].
Your privacy is something SheerID takes seriously. It only uses your information to confirm your eligibility.
Your data is safe with SheerID. They don’t:
- Rent or sell your information.
- Store documents or images uploaded to their system.
Learn about SheerID's privacy policy.
Verify your info before you sign up
As part of the verification process, SheerID asks for your personal info and proof of your status and eligibility. You must upload official government-issued documents that show your:
- Full name
- Branch of service:
- Current affiliation with the Armed Forces.
- Current employment with the State Department.
- Indication that you serve abroad
Check if your dependents are eligible
- Check your own status overseas with SheerID. Since your dependents’ status is linked to yours, they don’t need to make a separate request.
- Before you start the verification process, add your dependents to your group plan. After SheerID verifies your status, all group plan members get an exception.
How to sign up
- After you have a Google Fi account, go to goo.gle/fi-sheerid.
- If you request an exception to pause your service for up to 39 months, before you proceed, pause your account.
- If you have dependents, add them to your group plan before you continue.
- Select Verify your military status or Verify your state department employment.
- Fill out the verification form.
- Submit the required documents. Make sure these are as recent as possible.
If your military status or branch isn’t on the form, you can’t get an exception.
Tip: To get verified fast, make sure the info you give us matches what’s on your documents. If you changed your name, upload your military document and another government-issued document that shows your current name.
When SheerID checks your status, Google Fi processes your exception. Once verified, you can use our services internationally for 9 months before you need to verify your status again.
Learn about verification results & processing
After you upload your documents, SheerID checks them within 20 minutes. They send you an email with more details about your verification request. The email tells you if you’re verified or if SheerID needs more information.
For any questions or issues related to verification, contact SheerID support at [email protected].
After you’re verified, Google Fi processes your exception and sends you a confirmation email. This usually takes a few minutes but it can take up to a day.
Tip: If you don’t find an email in your inbox, check your spam or junk folder.
How to maintain your status
- You must reverify your status after 9 months. We send you a reminder email.
- How to maintain your status if you’re abroad and you:
- Activate a new Google Fi account: Reverify your status.
- Use Google Fi internationally for a long time: After 9 months, expect an email from Google Fi that asks you to reverify your status.
- Get a new phone: You don’t need to verify again. The same exception applies.
How to contact SheerID
- You can only verify through SheerID’s safe online service. If you have a problem, email SheerID at [email protected].
- If you have questions about SheerID’s verification process, like documentation or request status, email [email protected].
- If you have questions about international activation, roaming, or calling, call Google Fi support.