> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.payvessel.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Get a Card

> Retrieve one issued virtual card by ID

Fetch the current state of a single virtual card: status, balance, customer linkage, and **full card credentials** when the card is ready.

## How it works

1. **Provide the PayVessel `card_id`** returned from create (or list).
2. **Receive the card object**: PayVessel syncs status and balance when needed.
3. **Poll after create** until `status` is `ACTIVE`: then `card_number`, `cvv`, and `expiry` are included in the response.

## Response fields (ACTIVE / FROZEN)

| Field         | Description                      |
| ------------- | -------------------------------- |
| `card_number` | Full PAN (spaces every 4 digits) |
| `cvv`         | Card verification value          |
| `expiry`      | Expiration (`MM/YY`)             |

While `status` is `PENDING`, card credentials are omitted: poll until `ACTIVE`.

## Sample response (ACTIVE)

```json theme={null}
{
  "status": true,
  "message": "Virtual card retrieved successfully",
  "data": {
    "id": "7f219a25-d968-4894-9a8b-ba83fa0bf6ec",
    "business_id": "8f926b04-e63a-4449-b346-ea922b69e20e",
    "kind": "customer",
    "customer_id": "5e6bda15-1090-4cfe-bc1d-861990947bbc",
    "customer_name": "MUSA GANIYU",
    "business_name": null,
    "card_name": "Ganiyu Musa",
    "status": "ACTIVE",
    "currency": "USD",
    "brand": "MASTERCARD",
    "balance": "3.00",
    "expiry": "08/31",
    "card_number": "5573 5078 9962 7848",
    "cvv": "123",
    "created_datetime": "2026-05-24T00:38:02.543669",
    "updated_datetime": "2026-05-24T03:20:19.331923"
  }
}
```

<Warning>
  Treat `card_number` and `cvv` as highly sensitive. Do not log them or store them in plaintext.
</Warning>

## When to use

* Poll activation after [Create a Card](/virtual-cards/create-customer-card)
* Show the virtual card to your end user in your app
* Confirm freeze/terminate status before the next action

<Card title="API Reference" icon="code" href="/api-reference/virtual-cards/get-card">
  Full request/response details and Try it
</Card>