Gathering the Necessary Documents
Get your Social Security card, military record, or driver's license record. You will need proof of your social security number to apply for a state identification card. The best option is your actual social security card. If you don't have it, you can use valid government documents that contain it, such as an existing Illinois driver's license record or military records. You cannot bring a copy of the card or just have the number. The reviewer will need to see the actual card or valid records.
Have your birth certificate, passport, or high school records on hand. Non-U.S. birth certificates and passports are accepted, as long as your birth date is accurate. You can also use your high school transcripts to prove your age and date of birth. Another document you can use is an old driver’s license that is from Illinois or outside of the state as well as a government issued identification card to prove your birth date.
Include proof of residency. You can use a utility bill or a government issued letter that has your address on it. You can also use a bank statement (including digital e.g. pdf or screenshot) or your university with your address on it to prove your residency. Make sure your address is a valid Illinois address, as this will allow you to apply for a state identification card in Illinois. To become a full-time resident of Illinois, you will need to maintain a legal place of residence in the state for a period of one year.
Have a credit card or court order to prove your written signature. You can also use a driver’s license or a government issued document with your signature on it.
Bring the documents to a Driver Services office or a Secretary of State facility. Look up the nearest office or facility in your area in Illinois online. You can also use a search database on the DMV website: https://www.dmv.org/il-illinois/dmv-office-finder.php. There are Secretary of State facilities in Chicago, Springfield, Peoria, Rockford, Aurora, Bloomington, Joliet, East Saint Louis, Belleville, Palatine and Moline.
Paying the Required Fee
Pay the fee based on your age. If you are under 18 years old, you will need to pay a fee of $10 USD. If you are between 18-64 years old, you will need to pay a fee of $20 USD. You can pay with cash, cheque, money order, or a credit card. Paying with a debit card will not be accepted.
Get the ID for free if you are 65 and older. You will need to have proof of your age. Individuals 65 and older qualify for a free ID card that does not expire.
Do not pay a fee if you are homeless. You will need to complete a homeless status certification form, accessible here: https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/homeless-status-certification. The form will need to be signed by a homeless services provider. The form will also need to be notarized by a notary. Bring the completed form with you when you apply for the state ID. By law, you are homeless if you do not have a place where you can sleep regularly or you live in a temporary space, such as a shelter, motel, or hotel. You also qualify as homeless if you are at immediate risk of losing your housing, where you must leave the premises within 14 days.
Get the ID card for free if you have a disability. You will need to complete the Application for a Person with a Disability Card and bring it with you when you apply for the state ID.
Get a free ID card if you have been incarcerated. If you were in prison at a corrections facility or in a juvenile center in Illinois, you qualify for a free ID card upon your release. Bring the required documents to a Secretary of State facility within 30 days of your release to get a free ID card.
Getting the ID
Look for the ID card in the mail. Once you have submitted the necessary documents and paid the appropriate fee, the ID card will be mailed to the address you provided for the ID. It may take several business days for the card to be mailed to you. If you are homeless, the ID card will be sent to the address of the homeless service provider who signed your homeless status certification form.
Renew the ID card when it expires. The identification card is good for five years from the date you applied for it. Your local Driver Services office or Secretary of State facility will send you a notice before your ID card expires. You will need to bring your renewal notice, your current state ID, and fee payment in person to renew your state ID. If you are 65 and older, your state identification card never expires. If you have an ID card for individuals with disabilities, it does not expire for 10 years.
Replace a lost or stolen ID card. Report the lost or stolen ID card to your local police department right away. Apply for a replacement in person at a Driver Services office or a Secretary of State facility. You will need to bring all the required documents. If you bring a copy of the police report, you do not need to pay a replacement fee. If you do not have a copy of the police report, it costs $10 USD for individuals 18 years and under and $20 USD for adults to replace the ID card.
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