Maryland state ID credentials serve as proof of photo identification for children and adults who do not hold active driver’s licenses. These credentials are either compliant with federal security standards or they are non-compliant, depending on whether applicants can present valid documentation from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If customers cannot present valid documentation from the USCIS, their photo IDs will not comply with federal security standards.

While residents cannot use an ID card as proof of their eligibility to operate a motor vehicle, they may use these credentials as proof of age, address and identity. However, all applicants must reside in the state of Maryland, and they must not hold a valid driver’s license or moped permit during the time of application. Additionally, customers must present proof of state residency, age and identity when applying for a photo ID. To learn more about these identification card requirements, review the sections below.

Maryland DMV ID Requirements

To meet the Maryland DMV state ID requirements, customers must be able to present valid proof of identity, age and state residency, during the time of application. If customers do not reside in the state, they cannot obtain a photo ID through the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), under the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). However, state residents may apply for photo ID credentials at any age, as long as they do not hold active driver’s licenses.

As part of these ID card requirements, applicants must surrender their current driver’s licenses before they may apply for non-driver photo identification, as Maryland residents cannot hold both types of credentials at the same time. Additionally, applicants must surrender their photo IDs to the MVA if they wish to obtain a driver’s license at any time. Driver’s license applicants must surrender their photo IDs to the MVA, even if they hold out-of-state identification credentials.

What do you need to get an ID in Maryland?

“What do you need to get a state ID in Maryland?” residents may wonder. While the specific types of documents customers must provide when applying for non-driver photo IDs will vary depending on whether they wish to obtain a credential that complies with federal security standards, all customers must present proof of age, identity and state residency. To obtain a state ID that meets federal security standards, customers must be able to present valid USCIS documentation during the time of application, while those who cannot meet this requirement may obtain a non-compliant product.

For instance, there are several documents needed for state ID credential. These include the following:

• One proof of age and identity
• One proof of Social Security Number (SSN) or Maryland tax paperwork
• Two proofs of residential address from different organizations
• Payment for the applicable fee

When applying for a state ID card, if the name on the applicant’s identification documents differs from the information on his or her Social Security card, he or she must also change his or her name with the Social Security Administration (SSA), at least 48 hours before applying for a photo ID at an MVA office. Customers cannot obtain a photo ID unless their current legal names match the information on file with the SSA.

Moreover, ID card customers must provide the MVA with proof of the legal change of name, if their names differ from the information on their birth certificates. For instance, acceptable proof includes a certified copy of a marriage certificate, a decree of divorce or a court order.

Additionally, customers must pay the DMV ID card fee during the time of application. When purchasing a card, customers may pay by cash, check or with certain credit cards, such as MasterCard, Discover or American Express. Checks must be made payable to the Motor Vehicle Administration, and they must include the applicant’s name, address, telephone number and driver’s license or photo ID number.

Additional information about these required documents is available in the sections below.

Proof of Age and Identity

To obtain a Maryland DMV ID card that complies with federal security standards, applicants must present one certified or original copy of the following:

• A U.S. birth certificate or passport
• A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)
• A Permanent Resident card
• A Certificate of Naturalization or a Certificate of Citizenship
• Employment Authorization documents
• A foreign passport with current USCIS documentation
• S. adoption records
• A birth certificate for those who were born abroad
• A U.S. passport that expired no more than five years prior

To obtain a government issued ID as a senior who is older than 65 years of age, an SSA benefits summary or military discharge document can also be used as proof of age and identity.

To obtain a non-compliant identity card in MD, customers may present an unexpired foreign passport or a consular ID card from Guatemala, Mexico or Ecuador. If customers cannot submit either of these documents, they may provide two of the below credentials:

• A foreign birth certificate
• A national identification or voter card
• A state ID card or license
• A foreign driver’s license
• A military identification card (or a military dependent ID card)
• A 1-766 Employment Authorization card
• A certified school record from the previous 12 months

Moreover, one document must include a photograph that was taken within the previous eight years.

Proof of Maryland or Social Security Taxes

Other documents required for state ID credentials include one proof of Social Security or payment of Maryland taxes. However, this document must include the applicant’s name and Social Security Number (SSN). For example, these documents may include one of the following:

• A Social Security card, W-2 or SSA-1099 form
• A non-SSA-1099 form
• A paystub
• A letter from the SSA that demonstrates an applicant’s ineligibility for an SSN

Proof of Residential Address

To obtain a DMV identification card in MD, customers must present two proofs of residential address, such as a state-issued vehicle registration or title certificate, a utility bill, an insurance card, a voter registration card or a property tax bill. However, these documents must come from two separate organizations, unless customers qualify for a residency exception. Residency exceptions include:

• Letters from homeless shelters, nursing homes or transitional service providers.
• Documents signed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons or the Department of Public Safety (such as an order of parole).

Additionally, a Maryland resident may certify residency for his or her child, spouse, parent or another dependent. However, the ID card applicant who wishes to certify the residency of another customer must present proof of his or her state residency and identity, as well as evidence of guardianship or dependence.

How to Get an ID in Maryland

To determine where to get state ID credentials, applicants may search for an MDOT MVA branch in their areas, as customers may only complete the process in person. A list of MVA branches and office hours is available under the Administration’s website.

When applying for a credential, customers must complete an Application for Identification Card (DL-082), and submit their eligibility documents. To expedite the process, however, customers may schedule an appointment at an MVA branch by calling 410-768-7000 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

While customers cannot apply to get ID online in Maryland unless they wish to renew or replace their current credentials, they may refer to the MVA’s Online Document Guide to create a list of the different documents they must present when applying in person. Then, customers may print their checklists and schedule their appointments electronically, before heading into a local MVA branch.

After purchasing a state ID credential, customers will receive their new cards through the mail within four to seven business days. While customers may pay an additional fee if they wish to receive their new credential as early as the next day, same-day processing is not available in the state.

REAL ID Cards in Maryland

A Maryland REAL ID card is available to state residents who comply with identification standards under the Federal REAL ID Act. Currently, all cardholders who comply with these requirements may use their non-driver identification credentials as proof of identity when boarding airplanes and entering certain federal facilities. However, applicants who do not meet these federal security standards when applying for a photo ID will receive a non-compliant identification credential that cannot be used to board planes or enter federal facilities.

To apply for REAL ID credentials that comply with federal security standards, customers must provide their local MVA branches with one proof of age and identity, one proof of Social Security Number or payment of taxes and two proofs of state residency. If customers cannot meet the requirements of the REAL ID Act, they may obtain a non-compliant identification credential, instead.

In some cases, non-driver photo IDs in Maryland may already comply with these federal security standards. To determine whether a current photo ID complies with federal security standards, state residents may perform REAL ID lookups under the MVA’s website.

How to Renew or Replace a State ID in Maryland

Residents may replace a lost ID card in Maryland by completing an online application through the MVA’s FastTrack system. To do so, applicants must provide an email address and/or a telephone number. Alternately, applicants may use an MVA kiosk to submit their requests. If a card has been stolen, however, applicants must contact the MVA by phone at 410-787-7856, or by emailing mpurcell@mdot.state.md.us.

To obtain a replacement ID card and to change the name on their current credentials, residents must visit an MDOT MVA branch, as they will need to present proof of name change. To change address information, however, applicants may submit an online request through the MVA’s FastTrack system, or they may complete an Application for Maryland Change of Address (VR-154).

Depending on the age of the cardholder, state residents must renew their photo ID credentials once every five to eight years. If cardholders are 18 years of age or older, they must renew their credentials every eight years, while minors must do so once every five years. However, the renewal period for limited-term cards varies by situation.

Moreover, residents may renew an ID card online, in person at an MDOT MVA counter, by mail or via kiosk, depending on their specific situations. If applicants are eligible to renew their credential online, by mail or via kiosk, they cannot complete the renewal process in person.

DMV ID Costs in Maryland

“How much does an ID cost in Maryland?” state residents may ask. In the state of Maryland, fees vary, depending on the age of the applicant and whether residents wish to purchase a new or replacement card. For instance, these fees include the following:

• The cost of purchasing or renewing a card is $15, if applicants are younger than 18 years of age*
• The cost of purchasing or renewing an ID is $24, if applicants are older than 18 years of age*
• The cost of replacing or purchasing a duplicate card is $20
• The DMV ID cost for homeless applicants is $1
• There is no fee to purchase any type of photo ID if applicants are older than 65 years of age, or hold a disabling condition that limits their ability to perform one or more major life activities
• There is no fee to add or remove a veteran designation to an identification credential

Note: The cost of renewing a photo ID will vary, as fees may be prorated.

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