Obtaining an Identification Card
You must be a resident of Virginia to obtain an ID card.
An ID card:
- Has no age restriction and is available for an adult or child who does not hold a learner's permit or driver's license.
- An adult ID card expires at the end of the month in which you were born when you reach an age divisible by five; e.g. 20, 25, 30 etc.
- A child ID card expires on the child's 16th birthday.
Individuals required to register with the Virginia State Police Sex Offender and Crimes Against Children registry (Virginia Code Chapter 9 of Title 9.1) will be issued ID cards valid for five years.
For many individuals authorized to be in the U.S. temporarily, you will be issued an ID card valid only for the amount of time that you are legally permitted to stay in the U.S. The expiration of the ID card will be the same as the expiration date shown on the document used to prove legal presence. If the document does not show an expiration date, the ID card will be valid for one year.
You may exchange your valid Virginia driver's license for an ID card for a $10.00 fee. If you are age 70 or older, there is no charge if you exchange your driver's license for your first ID card. If you have previously held an ID card, you will be charged the $10.00 fee.
Required Documents
If you are applying for an ID card for the first time and do not hold a valid Virginia driver's license, each time you apply for the photo ID card, you will be required to show two proofs of identity (only one primary document if you are under age 19), one proof of legal presence and one proof of Virginia residency.You will be required to show your proof of identity, legal presence, and Virginia residency documents on each return visit until your ID card is issued.
If you were born in 1937 or earlier and you want to apply for an ID card, you will not have to provide proof of legal presence if you now hold, or have held, a Virginia driver's license or ID card, provided your license or ID card has not been expired for more than 5 years and DMV can verify that it was issued to you. If you do not still have the license or ID card when you apply for your new ID card, be prepared to provide alternative proof that you held the old license or ID card. DMV will attempt to verify your old license or ID card, if you cannot provide any alternative proof. However, if DMV cannot verify its issuance, or you are authorized to be in the U.S. temporarily, you will be required to present one document as proof of legal presence to obtain your new ID card.
Information about documents that DMV will accept as proof of identity, legal presence and Virginia residency is presented in 
. Temporary documents and photocopies of documents will not be accepted. All documents must be originals. All documents will be subject to verification, which may delay the issuance of your photo identification card. DMV will not accept a document as proof of identity, legal presence or residency when there is reason to believe it has been altered, fraudulently obtained or is fake, forged, counterfeit, or otherwise non-genuine or illegitimate. DMV may require additional documents.
Falsifying information on any driver's license or photo identification card application is a criminal offense. Altering or assisting a person with improperly or fraudulently obtaining a driver's license, learner's permit, CDL, CDL instruction permit or ID card are also criminal offenses.
Documents accepted by DMV as proof of identity, legal presence and Virginia residency may change without prior notice.
DMV will assign you a customer number which will display on your ID card. If you wish to change your DMV-assigned number in the future, you may be required to present documentation from law enforcement or the courts indicating that you may be a victim of identity theft.
Selective Service Registration:
Generally males under age 26 must register with the Selective Service. If you are required by federal law to register with the Selective Service, you must authorize DMV to forward your personal information to the Selective Service unless you have already registered.If you are under age 18, your parent or guardian must sign your application authorizing the Selective Service to register you when you turn age 18. Law prohibits DMV from issuing any type of driver's license or ID card to an applicant who is required by federal law to register with the Selective Service but who refuses to authorize DMV to send his information to the Selective Service. If you have questions about Selective Service registration, visit the Selective Service website at www.sss.gov or call 847-688-6888 (TTY: 847-688-2567).
Completed Application
When applying for an ID card or a hearing-impaired ID card, you must complete a Driver's License, Identification Card, and Voter Registration Application (form DL 1P). For a child ID card (under age 15), complete the Identification Card for Minors Application (DL 5). You may complete these forms before or after coming to DMV. Use your full legal name. Abbreviations and nicknames will not be accepted. For your convenience, you also may apply to register to vote or change your voter registration address when you apply for your ID card. Additionally, you may indicate your desire to become an organ donor.
Payment
An ID card costs $10.00. You may pay your fees with cash, money order, check, check card or major credit card.
Issuance
A DMV representative will take your photograph and ask you to sign a signature pad. Your photograph and information will be processed while you wait. Your name will be called when your ID card is ready.Photographs
DMV may refuse to issue a driver's license or identification card to any applicant who appears for photographing in a disguise or intentionally distorts their face to alter their appearance.For ID card examples, refer to images of driver's licenses and identification cards.
