How to Apply for a New Identification Card in Ohio

An Ohio ID card is a special type of identification credential for residents of all ages, including those who are too young to apply for a drivers license or operate a motor vehicle. Ohio residents often need proof of identity when starting a new job, opening a bank account or voting. Additionally, identification credentials are beneficial for children, as well, especially if they are lost or separated from their parents.

While an identification card provides qualifying residents with valid proof of age, identity and address, this type of credential does not provide cardholders with driving privileges. To operate a motor vehicle legally in the state, Ohio residents need a driver’s license. Additionally, a standard state ID does not comply with the requirements of the REAL ID Act of 2005. To obtain an identification credential that meets federal security standards, residents must apply for a REAL ID-compliant card. To learn more about applying for a standard or REAL ID-compliant identification credential, review the information below.

Ohio DMV ID Requirements

To meet DMV state ID requirements in Ohio, applicants must be able to present proof of state residency, legal presence in the U.S., Social Security Number (SSN), full legal name and date of birth. Additionally, applicants may not hold an active driver’s license if they wish to obtain a non-driving identification credential. As an exception to this rule, however, certain motorists may qualify for a temporary identification credential if they lose their driving privileges, and their licenses are suspended.

Moreover, Ohio residents may obtain a non-driver identification card type at any age, as there are no minimum age restrictions. If applicants are younger than 18 years of age, however, a parent or guardian must accompany them to a Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) deputy registrar office when they apply.

Note: Since Ohio residents cannot hold a non-driver ID and driving license at the same time, the BMV will cancel their driving privileges once they receive a standard or REAL ID-compliant identification credential. If residents wish to drive again in the future, they must reapply for a driver’s license, and retake their exams.

What do you need to get an ID in Ohio?

“What do you need to get a state ID credential?” residents may wonder. Generally, customers must provide different types of documentation, depending on whether they wish to purchase a REAL ID-compliant or standard identification credential. To obtain a standard (non-compliant) identification credential, for instance, applicants must provide one proof of:

  • Full legal name, date of birth and legal presence. As proof of name and birthdate, applicants may provide a U.S. birth certificate, passport book or passport card. If their current legal names differ from the name on their identity documents, however, they must also present proof of the name change. Acceptable proof may include a marriage certificate or divorce decree.
  • SSN. As proof of their SSN, ID card applicants may submit a 1099 income statement, a W-2 form or a Social Security card.
  • State residency. As proof of their residency in Ohio, state ID card applicants may provide a certified copy of a school transcript, a BMV address change card or a recent bank statement, utility bill or fishing license. If customers cannot provide proof of their state residency, however, they may submit a Proof of Ohio Residency – Certified Statement (BMV-2336).

In some cases, these required state ID application documents may be used to prove more than one element. For instance, customers may use a certified or original copy of a birth certificate as proof of full legal name, date of birth and legal presence. To obtain a full list of documents needed for state ID eligibility, refer to BMV Form 2424.

Additionally, all BMV customers must pay an application fee, unless they are exempt from doing so. As payment for the Ohio DMV ID card fee, customers may pay by cash, credit card money order or check.

Applicants Younger than 18 Years of Age

While Ohio DMV ID card applicants need to submit many of the same documents, regardless of age, the parents or legal guardians of minors younger than 18 years of age must submit additional documentation when obtaining a non-driver identification credential for a child. Additionally, parents or guardians must accompany minors during the application process.

In addition to the above documents required for state ID eligibility, parents or guardians must provide an Ohio driver’s license or identification credential, or they may present proof of:

  • Full name, SSN and date of birth.
  • State residency and legal presence in the U.S.

How to Get an ID in Ohio

Knowing where to get state ID credentials is important, as obtaining this information in advance helps an Ohio resident gather any necessary application materials before beginning the application process. Additionally, a minor who is younger than 18 years of age may only complete the application process with an accompanying parent or legal guardian.

When applying for a non-driver identification credential, an applicant must follow the required steps. These include:

  1. Visiting a local deputy registrar license agency. During this time, an applicant must present proof of his or her name, date of birth, legal presence, SSN and state residency. However, an applicant cannot get ID online in OH, as he or she must apply for a new identification credential in person.
  2. Adding a next of kin/emergency contact to his or her BMV record. A customer may complete this step in person, at a deputy registrar office, online, through the BMV’s website, or by mailing a Next of Kin Program application (BMV-2436) to the below address. Alternately, a cardholder may add, change or remove emergency contacts from his or her record at any time.
  3. Paying the applicable fee. The cost of purchasing an ID credential is the same for compliant and non-compliant cards.
  4. Waiting to receive the identity card in the mail. After applying for a new card, Ohio residents receive a temporary identification form to use until their permanent credentials arrive in the mail. Typically, customers receive their permanent credentials within 10 business days. If they do not receive their DMV new ID cards within 21 days, applicants may contact the BMV at844-644-6268 to check on the status of their orders.

Note: When visiting the DMV to get ID credentials for a minor, a parent or guardian may add his or her contact information to the child’s BMV record, as doing so will help law enforcement officials locate the child’s parents or guardians in the event of an emergency. Once the child turns 18 years of age, he or she may add anyone to the record.

Moreover, customers may mail Next of Kin Program applications to the following address:

Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Verification Services
Document Management
P.O. Box 16520
Columbus, OH 43216-6520

REAL ID Cards in Ohio

An OH REAL ID card meets minimum security standards under the REAL ID Act of 2005, providing individuals with federally acceptable proof of identification for entering certain federal facilities, nuclear power plants or when boarding commercial aircrafts. While individuals do not need REAL ID-compliant credentials for these purposes until October 1, 2020, applicants may wish to obtain a REAL ID-compliant card prior to this date if they do not hold a military ID, passport book or passport card.

However, REAL ID cards are not mandatory in the state, and residents may continue to use standard identification credentials as proof of their identity when registering to vote, purchasing alcohol, or obtaining government benefits. If residents do purchase a REAL ID-compliant credential, however, they may use their cards in lieu of a passport when flying domestically and entering military bases, nuclear power plants or certain federal facilities.

To apply for REAL ID credentials through the Ohio BMV, customers must visit a deputy registrar license agency. Then, they must submit:

  • One proof of full legal name, date of birth and lawful U.S. presence. To prove all three, REAL ID-compliant ID card applicants may submit a certified copy of a birth certificate, a valid passport or passport card, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a REAL ID-compliant Ohio driver’s license, a Permanent Resident card, a Certificate of Naturalization or a Certificate of Citizenship.
  • Proof of SSN. As proof of SSN, applicants may provide a Social Security card, a 1099 form or a W-2 wage and tax payment that includes their complete identification numbers.
  • Two proofs of Ohio residence. Unlike a standard identification card, applicants need to present two proofs of state residency when applying for a REAL ID-compliant credential. Additionally, these proofs may not come from the same source. If applicants cannot meet this requirement, however, they may submit a Proof of Ohio Residency (Form BMV-2336) that includes the name and signature of a parent, stepparent, guardian, spouse or social services agency.

In addition to these documents required for REAL ID eligibility, parents or legal guardians must accompany minors younger than 18 years of age to the deputy registrar license agency. Additionally, parents or legal guardians must submit a driver’s license or non-driving identification credential as proof of identity, or they may present another proof of full name, SSN, date of birth, state residency and legal presence in the U.S.

How to Renew or Replace a State ID in Ohio

Residents may replace a lost ID card in OH by visiting their local deputy registrar agencies to obtain a duplicate credential in person, or they may replace their standard card with a REAL ID-compliant credential. Additionally, state residents must renew their non-driver identification credentials once every four years.

To do so, cardholders must visit a local deputy registrar agency to complete the process, in person. During this time, Ohio residents may choose to upgrade the standard credential to a REAL ID-compliant card.

DMV ID Costs in Ohio

In the Ohio, the cost of purchasing a standard or REAL ID-compliant card is the same. For instance, the fees are as follows:

  • $8.50 to purchase or renew an identification credential
  • $7.50 to replace an ID credential
  • $0 to purchase or replace a card as a veteran with 100 percent service-related disabilities
Last updated on Wednesday, March 4 2020.