Getting Your Identification Card
The BMV offers identification cards for Indiana residents who do not drive. To obtain or renew an identification card, you must visit a license branch and present the required documents of identification. To obtain a free identification card for voting purposes, you must visit a license branch with the requirement documentation and state that you need a free identification card for voting purposes.
- Find a license branch near you
- Learn more about the documents of identification you need to get an identification card
Getting your identification card without a birth certificate
First-time identification card applicants who are 65 years or older, and can attest that they have never been issued a birth certificate because their birth was never recorded with a state office of vital statistics, may present other forms of identification as a primary and secondary document of identification.
Individuals who are 65 years or older may present, as primary documents:
- Medicaid/Medicare card
- Social Security benefits statement
- Property deed
- Property tax statement
- Bank statement
- US Veteran's Access Photo Identification card
- Marriage/divorce decree
- Pension statement
Please note that secondary documents, and other documents proving residency, are still required for most transactions.
Identification card applicants who are younger than 65 years of age and who do not have an original copy of their birth certificate should bring another document from the primary group of identification documents or contact the health department or department of vital statistics in their county or state of birth to obtain a new copy of their original birth certificate. To be accepted by the BMV, a birth certificate must be an original copy with a raised seal issued by the health department or department of vital statistics in the applicant's county or state of birth. Birth certificates issued by hospitals or other organizations will not be accepted.
Getting your identification card without a Social Security number
Any Indiana resident who wants to apply for an identification card but who does not have a Social Security number should visit a license branch and ask to apply for an identification card through the Central Verification Process (CVP). This process allows the BMV to verify the applicant’s immigration or residency status.
Any documents presented at a license branch establishing an applicant’s immigration or residency status will be forwarded to the BMV's Central Verification Division. The applicant will be issued a document stating that he or she has a temporary identification card which is valid for 60 days. When the Central Verification Division has verified the applicant’s documents, the permanent identification card will be mailed to the applicant.
Getting your identification card if you are a foreign national
Any foreign national who lives in Indiana and wants to apply for an identification card should visit a license branch and ask to apply for an identification card through the Central Verification Process (CVP). This process allows the BMV to verify the applicant's immigration or residency status.
Any documents presented at a license branch establishing an applicant’s immigration or residency status will be forwarded to the BMV's Central Verification Division. The applicant will be issued a document stating that he or she has a temporary identification card which is valid for 60 days. When the Central Verification Division has verified the applicant’s documents, the permanent identification card will be mailed to the applicant.
- Learn more about the documents of identification you need to get an identification card
- View the acceptable foreign documents of identification required for an identification card
Renewing an identification card when out-of-state
If you find that your valid Indiana identification card has expired while you are out of the state, you may request a 90-day extension of your identification card from the license's date of expiration. If your valid Indiana identification card has been lost or stolen while you are out of the state, you may request a 90-day verification letter that will allow you to return to Indiana and obtain a duplicate card.
If you are an Indiana resident living out of the state and you need to renew your identification card, you may request a photo-exempt identification card. Please note that the BMV only issues photo-exempt identification cards to Indiana residents who are living out of the state as active military personnel, college students, on business, or working as missionaries. To obtain a photo-exempt identification card, the following documentation is required:
- Active military personnel - a letter on military letterhead verifying your status as an active member of the military and your location, signed by your commanding officer;
- College student - a letter on school letterhead verifying your status as a college student and verifying your school's location as well as your length of stay, signed by a representative of your school;
- Business - a letter on company letterhead verifying your employment and the company's location, signed by your manager;
- Missionary - a letter on letterhead verifying your status as a missionary and your location, signed by a representative of your church or organization.
If you are temporarily living outside Indiana because you are serving with the military, your identification card remains valid for 90 days following your discharge from service. To obtain a renewed identification card after you have been discharged, you need to visit a license branch and show proof of your discharge.
