How to Get an Illinois State ID

This article was co-authored by Lahaina Araneta, JD. Lahaina Araneta, Esq. is an Immigration Attorney for Orange County, California with over 6 years of experience. She received her JD from Loyola Law School in 2012. In law school, she participated in the immigrant justice practicum and served as a volunteer with several nonprofit agencies.

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If you live in Illinois, you may decide to get a state identification card to prove your residency and your age. You can also use the card to complete government documents and to access state services. To get an Illinois state ID, you will need to gather documents like your Social Security card, a proof of residence, and your birth certificate and bring them to your nearest Driver Services office or Secretary of State facility . You will then need to pay the required fee, based on your age and residence status. The ID will then be issued to you in the mail so you can use it when you need it.

Gathering the Necessary Documents

• 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.

• 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.

• 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. [4] X Research source

• 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

• 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. [7] X Research source

• 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. [9] X Research source

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. [10] X Research source

Getting the ID

• 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.

• 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.

• 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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1. ↑https://www.dmv.org/il-illinois/id-cards.php
2. ↑https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/how-get-state-id-or-drivers-license-0
3. ↑https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/how-get-state-id-or-drivers-license-0
4. ↑https://www.dmv.org/il-illinois/id-cards.php
5. ↑https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/how-get-state-id-or-drivers-license-0
6. ↑https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/how-get-state-id-or-drivers-license-0
7. ↑https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/how-get-state-id-or-drivers-license-0
8. ↑https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/how-get-state-id-or-drivers-license-0
9. ↑https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/how-get-state-id-or-drivers-license-0

1. ↑https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/how-get-state-id-or-drivers-license-0
2. ↑https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/how-get-state-id-or-drivers-license-0
3. ↑https://www.dmv.org/il-illinois/id-cards.php
4. ↑https://www.dmv.com/il/illinois/apply-id-card

About This Article

This article was co-authored by Lahaina Araneta, JD. Lahaina Araneta, Esq. is an Immigration Attorney for Orange County, California with over 6 years of experience. She received her JD from Loyola Law School in 2012. In law school, she participated in the immigrant justice practicum and served as a volunteer with several nonprofit agencies. This article has been viewed 300,540 times.

If you live in Illinois and need a state ID, make sure you have your social security card, military record, or driver’s license record handy since you’ll need them in the application process. You should also be prepared to show a birth certificate, proof of residency, and any government issued document that has your signature on it. Once you have all the necessary materials, head over to the closest Driver Services office or a Secretary of State facility to start your application. When you go to get your ID, expect to pay a fee of $10 if you’re under 18 years old, and $20 if you’re between 18 and 64. Debit cards aren’t accepted, so bring cash, check, money order, or a credit card. After all your documents have been submitted and your fees are paid, check your mail regularly, as your new ID will be mailed to you in a few business days. For more help form our Legal co-author, like how to replace a stolen ID, read on.

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