A standard non-driver state ID card usually costs between $5 and $40, and that is the honest short answer to how much an ID costs. Driver’s licenses run higher, commercial licenses higher still, and the sticker price at the counter is only part of what you actually spend. The rest hides in the documents you have to gather before you apply.
What a Non-Driver State ID Card Costs
Non-driver state IDs are the cheapest government-issued photo identification available. Prices vary by state, age, and how long the card stays valid. A few real numbers show the spread: Ohio charges $10 for a four-year card or $19 for an eight-year card, Massachusetts charges $25 for a five-year card, Minnesota charges $35.50 for adults under 65 and $32 for those 65 and older, Indiana charges $9, and New Jersey charges $24.
Longer validity periods generally cost more upfront but less per year. Ohio’s eight-year card works out to about $2.38 per year against $2.50 for the four-year version. Renewals and replacements typically cost the same as or less than a first-time card. Replacement fees for lost or stolen IDs commonly land between $9 and $15, and some states waive them for specific groups.
What a Driver’s License Costs
Driver’s licenses cost more than non-driver IDs in almost every state because they cover testing and road-use authorization. A standard Class C license typically runs $16 to $90 depending on the state and how long the license is valid. Texas charges $33 for adults ages 18 to 84. California charges $46 for a new Class C license and $37 to replace one.
Renewals often match the original application fee, with occasional small discounts for renewing online. Commercial driver’s licenses are a different tier. The application alone can run $50 to $200 depending on state and class, and endorsements for hazardous materials, passenger transport, or tanker vehicles each carry their own fee. California charges $100 for an original commercial Class A or B license.
Does a REAL ID Cost More
In most states, no. Since May 7, 2025, the TSA and other federal agencies have only accepted REAL ID-compliant identification for boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings.1Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions If your card doesn’t carry a star in the upper corner, you’ll need a compliant card or an acceptable alternative like a passport to fly domestically. Most states charge the same fee for a REAL ID as for a standard card, so the upgrade itself is usually free. The added cost is gathering the paperwork: proof of identity, proof of your Social Security number, and two documents showing your current address.
Enhanced Driver’s Licenses, currently issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont, are also accepted at TSA checkpoints as a REAL ID alternative and typically cost more than a standard license.1Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions In Washington, the enhanced version runs $42 to $56 more than a standard license depending on the validity period.
A Federal Alternative: The Passport Card
If you’d rather skip the DMV or want a backup federal photo ID, a U.S. passport card is accepted at TSA airport checkpoints.2Transportation Security Administration. Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint It is wallet-sized, valid for 10 years, and also works for land and sea border crossings with Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
A first-time adult passport card costs $65: a $30 application fee to the State Department and a $35 execution fee at the facility where you apply. Renewals by mail or online cost $30.3Travel.State.Gov. Passport Fees Over a 10-year lifespan, that runs $6.50 per year for a first-time card or $3 per year on renewal. Passport cards can’t be used for international air travel, but for domestic identification they compete on price with many state IDs.
Who Qualifies for a Free or Reduced-Fee ID
Depending on your circumstances, you may pay less than the standard fee, or nothing at all. Eligibility varies by state, but common categories include:
- Seniors, often defined as residents over 60 or 65.
- People with permanent disabilities. Ohio waives the entire fee for permanently disabled residents.
- Disabled veterans. Texas waives driver’s license fees for veterans with at least 60% disability.
- Public assistance recipients, in several states that offer free or reduced IDs to those receiving benefits like Supplemental Security Income or SNAP.
- Homeless youth. Minnesota provides free IDs for homeless youth with supporting documentation.
- Eligible voters. Indiana charges $9 for a standard ID but issues free voter identification cards.
A waiver almost always requires documentation, such as a benefits verification letter, a VA disability rating letter, or certification from a social services agency. Confirm what your state accepts before you go. Showing up without the right proof means paying full price or coming back.
What the Supporting Documents Cost
The application fee is only part of your total. Gathering the required documents can add $20 to $75 or more.
Birth Certificates
Most state vital records offices charge $10 to $30 for a certified copy. Ordering through a third-party service like VitalChek often adds a convenience fee of $10 to $20 on top of the state charge, and expedited shipping pushes the number higher. Ordering by mail directly from your state’s vital records office is almost always the cheapest option.
Social Security Cards
Replacement Social Security cards are free.4USAGov. How to Get, Replace, or Correct a Social Security Card You can request one online through your my Social Security account, by mail, or at a local Social Security office. There are limits on how many you can get per year and over a lifetime, so keep it somewhere safe.
Green Card Replacement
Replacing a lost or expired Permanent Resident Card through USCIS Form I-90 costs $415 online or $465 on paper.5U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Frequently Asked Questions on the USCIS Fee Rule Processing can take several months.
Translations and Notarization
If your identity documents are in a language other than English, you’ll likely need a certified translation. That typically runs $20 to $35 per page. Some states also require notarized copies of certain documents, with notary fees ranging from $2 to $25 per signature.
Why Letting an ID Lapse Costs More
Renewing on time is almost always cheaper than dealing with an expired card. If your driver’s license lapses beyond your state’s grace period, you may face reinstatement fees on top of the renewal cost. Those commonly range from $50 to over $200 depending on the state and the reason for the lapse. Some states also require you to retake the written exam or road test if the license has been expired long enough, adding testing fees and time off work. A calendar reminder a month or two ahead of expiration is the simplest way to avoid it.
How to Confirm Your Exact Cost
Your state’s motor vehicle agency publishes a current fee schedule online. The agency name varies by state: DMV, BMV, DPS, RMV, and DOL are all common. A search for your state’s agency name plus “ID fees” or “license fees” will get you to the right page.
When you look at the schedule, watch for a few details. The fee for a new ID, a renewal, and a replacement are often three different numbers. Age-based discounts may apply but don’t always appear on the main fee page. Waivers usually sit in a separate section on exemptions or reduced fees rather than in the main table. Most offices accept credit and debit cards, cash, checks, and money orders, though online transactions may be limited to cards. If the fee schedule doesn’t answer your question, call. A representative can quote the exact amount for your situation, including any waiver you might qualify for.