How we verify
Every business on SAB Network is checked by a person, not a bot. Here's exactly who qualifies, what we look at, and what happens to the documents you send.
The two badges
| Badge | What we've confirmed | Documents needed |
|---|---|---|
| Verified veteran-owned | The business is real and operating, the owner served, and the owner holds at least 51% of the business. | One proof of service |
| Veteran-owned (self-reported) | The business is real and operating. The owner says they served, but we haven't seen proof yet. | None |
Self-reported businesses can upgrade to verified anytime by sending proof of service.
Who qualifies
To earn the verified badge, the business owner must meet all three:
- Served in the U.S. military. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, or Coast Guard, including the National Guard and Reserve.
- Has an honorable or general discharge. Your character of service must be Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions).
- Owns at least 51% of the business. This matches the federal standard for veteran-owned small businesses.
The business itself must be real and operating in the United States, with a working website, online shop, or physical location.
Step by step
-
You apply
Fill out the online application: your name, business, what you sell, where you're based, and your website or shop link. Upload proof of service if you want the verified badge.
-
We check the business
We confirm the business is operating, look it up in your state's business records, and check that you own it.
-
We check your service
We confirm your document is genuine, that the name matches the owner, and that your character of service qualifies.
-
We decide
We approve your listing, ask a follow-up question, or explain why we can't list you. We aim to reply within a week.
Documents we accept
Send any one of these. Each shows what we need to see: your name, your branch, and your character of service.
| Document | Where to get it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DD-214 | Your records, or request a copy from the National Archives | Send the member copy that shows character of service (usually Member-4). |
| VA benefit summary letter | Download it from your VA.gov account | Often the easiest option. It confirms your service without your full service record. |
| NGB-22 | Your National Guard records | For National Guard members without a DD-214. |
| Veteran Health ID Card (VHIC) | Issued by VA health care | Photo of the front only. |
| Driver's license or state ID with a veteran designation | Your state's motor vehicle office | Photo of the front only. Cover your license number. |
Don't have any of these? Email us and we'll work out another way.
How to upload your document safely
- Black out your Social Security number before you upload anything. A marker on paper works, or use your phone's photo markup tool.
- Upload through the application form, not by email. Uploads go straight to private storage that only we can open.
- Leave visible: your name, branch of service, dates of service, and character of service.
- You can also cover your date of birth, home address, and anything else we don't need.
We will never ask for your full Social Security number, a password, or payment to verify you. If anyone claiming to be SAB Network asks for those, it isn't us.
What happens to your documents
- Stored privately. Uploads go to private storage in our own Cloudflare account. They're never public and never attached to emails.
- We look, then delete. Once we've checked your document, we delete it.
- Automatic deletion as a backstop. Every upload is set to delete itself after 30 days, even if we haven't gotten to it.
- We keep a short note, like "DD-214 reviewed, Honorable, 2026-11-14," so we can show your listing was checked. No copy of the document.
- We never share or sell your documents or personal details. The only things that appear on your profile are what you ask us to show.
If a document arrives with your Social Security number showing, we delete it right away and ask you to resend it covered.
Keeping the directory honest
- Yearly check-in. Once a year we confirm each business is still operating and still owned by the same person.
- Reports. Anyone can report a listing that looks wrong. We look into every report.
- Removal. If we can't confirm a business or its owner, we remove the badge or the listing and tell the owner what they can send to fix it.
- Appeals. Disagree with a decision? Email us. A second look is always free.
What verification doesn't mean
The badge confirms who owns the business. It isn't a review of their products, prices, or service, so shop the way you would anywhere: read their policies and ask them questions.
SAB Network verification is our own check. It isn't a government certification, and it's separate from the SBA's veteran small business certification used for federal contracts. SAB Network isn't affiliated with the VA, the SBA, or the Department of Defense.
Ready to get listed?
Listing is free. Send your details and we'll take it from there.
Report a listing
Or write to us at jacob@sabnetwork.net