ID cards are one of the essential documents with a very important role in every society. In many activities, you need to verify your identity be it traveling on a plane, applying for a job, and many other activities that require an ID card. You should know how to apply for one and where you can get one.
About ID Card
An ID card is one of the few documents that are useful for verifying one’s identity. In the US, there is no national ID card. So, people use the driver’s license they get from the DMV to verify their identity.
For those who are unable to drive for some reason, there is a policy of applying for an ID card with qualified identification power just like when using a driver’s license for verification. ID cards can be used for security purposes but cannot be relied upon to support driving rights.
At first glance, an ID card looks similar to a driver’s license. To distinguish them, there are differences in the concept of printing in certain states. ID cards are printed vertically, so they are more clearly recognized by people as ID cards but in the non-driver version.
Although different, the rights that can be obtained from an ID card are more or less the same as a driver’s license but not with driving rights. Those who already have an ID card can use it as proof of identity so that they are legally authorized. You can freely gain access to certain places or activities.
For example, without identity verification with an ID card, you may not be able to visit certain places that have age restrictions. ID card use cases are more likely to be for teenagers, unlike driver’s licenses which are often relied upon for professional needs.
So, parents can apply for an ID card for their child, and in some cases, the state does not impose an age limit for ID card applications. On the other hand, the validity period of an ID card can be longer than other types of cards such as a driver’s license. You may also be able to pay less to apply for an ID card.
ID cards are an ideal verification document option for non-drivers and cover a wider age range.
Also Read: How to Know if Your License is Suspended
What are the DMV ID Card Requirements?
Just like when you apply for a driver’s license, the requirements for making an ID card can be quite different in each state. Although quite different, it will usually follow some driver’s license documentation according to the state where you live. At least here are some data that must be prepared when you want to apply for an ID card:
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- Your full name
- Your age or date of birth.
- US citizenship
- Residential address according to the state where you applied for the ID card
- SSNs (Social Security Numbers) or ineligibility proof.
Those are some of the things that need to be prepared about ID cards. Applicants will be required to have their fingerprints taken as a condition of application as well as consent to be photographed. Although there is an opportunity to apply for ID cards via email or online, this must be researched for each state.
There are special restrictions for certain circumstances that each applicant must understand in detail. Usually applying for an ID card will also require an identity card, such as a driver’s license, and is valid for a driver’s license from any state. To apply for an ID card, you need to make sure about your identity be it citizenship, where you live, and other guarantees.
All of these must be valid so that the application process can be done smoothly. You can apply for an ID card for children by preparing a statement from their parents. The requirements for adults and children can be different, including the costs that must be incurred can also vary depending on age.
Document requirements for each state can be fairly consistent but there may be certain extra documents required by certain state DMVs. At least prepare some of the documents below to apply for an ID card:
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- Birth certificate (certified copy or original)
- Foreign passport, with US visa
- Adoption notes
- Valid US passport (unexpired)
- Parental affidavits for minors
- INS or DHS document
In addition to the documents above, you may need to prepare additional documents required by the state where you live. Furthermore, if you change your name, then you must prepare a proof of the name change regardless of your state.
Where Can You Get an ID Card in the United States?
ID cards have a very important role in supporting security for related states and on a national scale. The use of ID cards can also support the personal lives of those living in the US. Because of its important role and comprehensive uses, the issuance of ID cards is controlled with strict procedures.
Then where can you get an ID card? The place for you to get or apply for an ID card is quite diverse. One of them is the DMV center or the revenue office according to the state you live in. Even ID card access can also apply to other venues.
To make things easier, usually, the place that is authorized to issue driving licenses also issues ID cards. In most cases, applicants may not be able to access online applications, although many administrative requirements are now done through an online approach.
One of the main reasons is safety. Although it is not done online, you can still get practical benefits by applying for an ID card directly to the office. Since strict control is one of the main aspects of issuing an ID card, this document must be submitted by the relevant party directly and done at an office that has the authority to do so.
With a fairly strict yet comfortable procedure, it can prevent various forms of identity-related fraud. In addition, taking physical identity, be it fingerprints or photos, will be much easier, some states require physical identity recording.
But certain cases exempt the rule, such as when you want to exchange your driver’s license for a non-driver ID card or in the case of military service. For these special cases, some states waive the rule.
ID Card Application Procedure
Due to certain factors, ID card applications can vary. Not only is it different because each state has certain special policies, but it can also depend on age and other factors. Although the procedure for applying for an ID card is quite different, here are some general steps for applying for an ID card:
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- First of all, you need to prepare every piece of documentation needed to apply for an ID card. Documents that need to be collected include your passport, birth certificate, affidavit, and court records.
- Pre-register online and do appointment scheduling. These stages are optional. Pre-registering and scheduling for appointments can vary quite a bit between states.
- After ensuring that the documents required for ID card application are complete, you can bring them to the office authorized to issue ID cards. When bringing the documents, you may need to bring a pre-registration receipt or similar.
- You need to sit on the seat provided to be fingerprinted and photographed. Fingerprinting procedures may not be applied to all states.
- Provide other formal identity documents officially issued by the state, one of which is a driver’s license.
Once you have gone through all the steps above, you can get your ID by mail. Meanwhile, the fee for issuing an ID card can vary depending on the state. To find out information on ID issuance costs, you can visit the official DMV website.
After all the procedures have been carried out, then you need to wait for information on sending your ID card. Usually, you need to wait 7-10 days for your ID to be delivered. To be safe and clear, please check the information thoroughly so that there are no errors on your ID card.
The information on the receipt for the ID card application must be completely correct in terms of the spelling of your name, address, and so on. Before you leave the place, make sure of these things so that you can be more calm while waiting for your ID document/card to be sent.
About Enhanced and Real ID cards
An enhanced ID card means that it has been enhanced in certain parts so that its use is wider. Because of these benefits, this card usually requires higher requirements than the documentation on a common ID card. Even so, the documentation for enhanced ID cards may not be as stringent as a REAL ID.
The privileges available on an enhanced ID will be different from a REAL ID and the details of these rights can vary from state to state. Only a few states provide the opportunity to apply for enhanced ID, namely the following states:
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- Minnesota
- Michigan
- New York
- Washington
- Vermont
On the other hand, all states offer the REAL ID option. These identification credentials are officially issued by the state for US citizens to access domestic flights or federal places. Those who don’t have enough identity credentials need alternative documents. An officially certified birth certificate or passport might help.
Then is applying for a common ID card different from a REAL ID? Usually, the REAL ID application process is not too different from a standard ID card. However, you will need to provide multiple identity proofs to comply with the REAL ID requirements.
History Look and Comprehensive Viewpoint About National ID Card
From the discussion above, we can see that the role of ID cards is very important, just like the use of passports or driver’s licenses. Even so, ID cards are one of the most debated issues in the past. Some arguments are both against and in favor of the implementation of this identity document.
So what is the controversial side of ID cards? Security is one of them because it aims to protect privacy rights. One event that has had a significant impact on the idea of ID cards is terrorist attacks. Because of the terrorist attacks that occurred in 2001, there was a demand for a system that could effectively support public security.
The prevention of terrorism is very important, including for the United States. Although the impact of ID cards is important for national security, there is another point of view that revolves around the invasion of privacy. Some critics argue that the existence of identity documents can violate privacy rights.
In more serious cases, exposing personal data can lead to security threats. Another contradiction of identity cards is the potential for discrimination. As we know, an identity card can give someone access to more things than someone who doesn’t have one.
Because of this concept, identity cards may interfere with civil liberties. In more serious cases, there is the potential for discrimination, especially against those who do not have identity cards. On the other hand, the existence of identity cards could increase the potential for misuse of personal information.
Not only within the scope of government entities but also other parties that can also allow data misuse. Although this one thing is quite serious, there are still other potential problems that can occur. Another challenge that must be faced by parties related to identity documents is around logistics and services.
The government must be able to ensure that every citizen can get access to an identity card considering the very important role of this card. In every issuance of identity documents, of course, costs are required. Both implementation procedures, system maintenance, and performance updates will require costs and may be quite large.
Despite certain contradictions surrounding ID cards, many argue that ID cards can be quite effective in tackling crimes such as terrorism. There are even many other security benefits that can be derived from the implementation of ID cards.
The idea of identity card innovation is based on previous security issues. Another event that influenced the change in the concept of identity verification was 9/11. This tragic event in the US became the basis for REAL ID 2005 as an identity verification innovation.
There are new standards for ID cards or driver’s licenses that must be implemented before they are issued by each state. The REAL ID policy is controlled by the federal government and relates to activities such as commercial airline flights and other purposes. That’s the history and some overall perspective on ID cards.
You can apply for an ID card through the official website of the state government where you live or the DMV according to your state. Because it can be quite different between states, you need to find out the exact provisions for identity card management on the official website so as not to be mistaken.
