There is no minimum age to get an ID in most cases. A U.S. passport or passport card can be issued from birth, and the majority of states set no minimum age for a non-driver state identification card either. A few states set the floor at 14 or 15 for a state ID. Learner’s permits generally become available between 14 and 15½ depending on the state, and a full driver’s license is typically available at 16. So the real question is not whether you can get an ID at your age, but which kind fits.
State ID Cards
A non-driver state ID is the simplest option for anyone who isn’t driving. Most states have no minimum age at all, which means a parent can get one for an infant or young child. A handful of states require the applicant to be 14 or 15 before they’ll issue a card.
For any applicant under 18, a parent or legal guardian generally has to sign the application and appear in person at the issuing office. Fees for a standard adult non-driver ID typically run $10 to $25, and many states reduce or waive the fee for seniors, veterans, and people experiencing homelessness. Most offices hand you a paper temporary ID the same day, with the permanent card arriving by mail within a few weeks.
State IDs work as official proof of identity and age for the everyday situations you’d expect: opening a bank account, picking up a prescription, verifying age for a purchase, and boarding a domestic flight if the card is REAL ID-compliant.
U.S. Passports and Passport Cards From Birth
If your state has an age floor for its ID, or you want federal photo ID for a young child, a U.S. passport is the answer. There is no minimum age. Newborns can be issued one, and many parents apply within weeks of birth so the child has valid ID for travel or as backup identification.
A passport book covers international and domestic air travel. A passport card is cheaper and covers land and sea crossings to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, but not international flights.
For a child under 16, both parents or legal guardians must appear in person with the child at a passport acceptance facility and sign the application together.1U.S. Department of State. Apply for a Child’s Passport Under 16 If one parent cannot attend, that parent submits a notarized Statement of Consent (Form DS-3053) with a copy of their photo ID. A parent with sole legal custody can apply alone by presenting the custody order or a birth certificate listing only one parent.
As of September 2025, the fees for a minor’s passport are:
- Passport book: $100 application fee plus a $35 acceptance fee ($135 total)
- Passport card: $15 application fee plus a $35 acceptance fee ($50 total)
- Both book and card together: $115 application fee plus a $35 acceptance fee ($150 total)
Child passports expire after five years, so a passport issued to a newborn will need renewal before the child starts school.2U.S. Department of State. United States Passport Fees Expedited processing adds $60 to the application fee.
Learner’s Permits and Driver’s Licenses
For teens, a learner’s permit is often the first piece of government-issued photo ID they carry every day. The minimum age varies by state and generally sits between 14 and about 15½. A full driver’s license typically becomes available at 16, though some states hold the unrestricted license back to 17 or 18.
Nearly every state uses a graduated driver licensing system that moves new drivers through stages: a supervised learner’s permit first, then an intermediate license with restrictions on nighttime driving and passengers, and finally a full unrestricted license. Each stage has minimum holding periods and practice-hour requirements that vary by state.
A license doubles as widely accepted photo identification once issued. But if your only goal is to have an ID and you’re not ready to drive, a state ID card skips the written test, vision screening, and behind-the-wheel exam.
What a Minor Needs to Bring
Age alone doesn’t get you a card. Whether you’re applying for a state ID, a REAL ID, or a driver’s license, expect to bring original documents in three categories, plus a parent for anyone under 18.
Proof of Identity and Age
The most commonly accepted primary document is an original U.S. birth certificate with a raised seal or stamp from the issuing authority. A valid U.S. passport or passport card also works. Naturalized citizens can present a Certificate of Naturalization. Most states require original or certified documents rather than photocopies.
Social Security Number
You’ll typically need your Social Security card or a document displaying your full SSN, such as a W-2 or SSA-1099.3Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions A pay stub showing the full number may also be accepted, but the card is the safest bet if you have one.
Proof of Residency
Most states ask for one or two documents confirming your home address: utility bills, bank statements, mortgage documents, or lease agreements. For minors who don’t have bills in their name, a parent’s address documents typically satisfy the requirement for a child in the same household.
Parental Consent
Applicants under 18 almost always need a parent or legal guardian to accompany them. The parent signs the application, and the office verifies the relationship through a birth certificate or court order. Some states accept a notarized consent form if a parent cannot appear in person, but going together is the safer approach.
A Note on Flying With a Child’s ID
Since May 7, 2025, a standard state ID or driver’s license that is not REAL ID-compliant no longer works at airport security checkpoints. Full enforcement across all federal agencies is required by May 5, 2027.4Federal Register. Minimum Standards for Drivers Licenses and Identification Cards Acceptable by Federal Agencies for Official Purposes; Phased Approach for Card-Based Enforcement Children under 18 do not need to show ID at airport checkpoints when traveling with an adult, so a young child without a REAL ID can still fly accompanied. A U.S. passport, passport card, military ID, or permanent resident card also works at TSA in place of a REAL ID.5Transportation Security Administration. Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint
Getting a REAL ID requires proof of your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, two documents proving your home address, and evidence of lawful status in the United States.3Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions States may add their own requirements, so check your state’s DMV site before the visit.