There is no single answer to how old you have to be to get an ID card in the United States, because the age depends on which ID you mean. Most state-issued non-driver ID cards, U.S. passports, and Social Security numbers have no minimum age at all. A parent can apply for any of these on behalf of a newborn. The real age thresholds show up on driving-related IDs: learner’s permits begin as early as 14 in a few states, provisional licenses typically at 16, and full unrestricted licenses at 18.
State-Issued Non-Driver ID Cards
A state-issued ID card looks like a driver’s license but carries no driving privileges. It serves as official proof of identity and age for banking, age-restricted purchases, and government services. Your state’s DMV or equivalent agency issues it.
Many states set no minimum age for a non-driver ID, meaning a parent can walk in with a toddler and apply on the child’s behalf. Other states set the floor at 14, or somewhere in between. Because the rules vary, check with your state’s DMV before making the trip. Standard non-driver ID fees generally fall between free and about $40, and many states waive the fee for seniors, veterans, or people experiencing homelessness.
For a child too young to sign their own name, a parent or legal guardian fills out the application. You’ll typically need the child’s birth certificate, proof of your own identity, and proof of your address. Some states also ask for the child’s Social Security card.
Learner’s Permits and Driver’s Licenses
Driving is where age actually gates the ID. Every state uses a graduated licensing system that moves new drivers through stages of increasing independence, and each stage has its own minimum age.
Learner’s Permits: 14 to 16
The minimum age for a learner’s permit ranges from 14 to 16 depending on where you live. A handful of states, including Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota, allow permits at 14. Most states set the minimum between 15 and 16. A permit lets you drive only with a licensed adult in the passenger seat, and many states add restrictions on nighttime driving and phone use.
Provisional Licenses: Usually 16
After holding a permit for a required period, usually six months to a year, and logging a set number of supervised driving hours, you can apply for a provisional or junior license. The minimum age for this step is generally 16, though some states push it to 16 and a half.
Provisional licenses come with restrictions attached. Expect nighttime curfews, limits on how many non-family passengers you can carry, and in some states, rules about phone use even with hands-free devices.
Full License: Typically 18
Most states convert a provisional license to a full, unrestricted license at 18. Permit and license fees vary widely, typically running from a few dollars up to around $50 for a permit and up to roughly $90 for the license itself. Some states bundle the permit fee into the license cost.
U.S. Passports: No Minimum Age
A U.S. passport has no minimum age requirement. Newborns can and often do get them, which makes sense given that international travel has no age limit either. The application process differs depending on the child’s age.
Children Under 16
Both parents or legal guardians must appear in person with the child and submit Form DS-11. You’ll need to bring the child’s birth certificate, both parents’ IDs, and evidence of your parental relationship. If one parent can’t make it, the absent parent must sign a notarized consent form (Form DS-3053) and provide a copy of their photo ID.1U.S. Department of State. Apply for a Child’s Passport Under 16
Passports issued to children under 16 are valid for only five years and cannot be renewed by mail. You submit a brand-new application each time.2U.S. Department of State. Passport Forms
Applicants Aged 16 and 17
Minors aged 16 and 17 still need parental involvement, but the process is lighter. A parent or guardian should either appear in person or provide a signed statement of consent. Passports issued at 16 or older are valid for 10 years and can later be renewed by mail using Form DS-82, as long as the renewal happens within 15 years of the original issue date.3U.S. Department of State. Renew Your Passport by Mail
What It Costs
For a first-time applicant age 16 or older, a passport book costs $130 plus a $35 acceptance fee at the facility where you apply, for a total of $165. A passport card costs $30 plus the same $35 fee. For children under 16, the book is $100 plus the $35 fee, and the card is $15 plus $35.4U.S. Department of State. Passport Fees
The passport card is a wallet-sized alternative that works for land and sea border crossings to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It cannot be used for international air travel, but it is accepted as a REAL ID-compliant form of identification for domestic flights and federal building access.5U.S. Department of State. U.S. Passports and REAL ID At $65 total for adults and $50 for children, it’s a relatively cheap way to get a federally accepted photo ID if you don’t plan to fly internationally.
Social Security Cards: Available at Birth
A Social Security number is the foundation almost every other ID application builds on. You’ll need one, or proof of one, to apply for a state ID, a driver’s license, or a REAL ID. Getting one is free and can happen the same day a child is born.
Most parents request a Social Security number during the hospital birth registration process. The hospital sends the information to the Social Security Administration, which assigns the number and mails a card to your home.6Social Security Administration. What Is Enumeration at Birth and How Does It Work If you didn’t do this at the hospital, or if you need a replacement, you can apply at a Social Security office. Anyone age 12 or older requesting an original Social Security number must appear for an in-person interview, even if a parent is signing the application.7Social Security Administration. Social Security Numbers for Children
REAL ID Upgrade
Since May 7, 2025, federal agencies including the TSA have enforced the REAL ID Act, which means a standard state-issued ID or driver’s license is no longer enough on its own to board a domestic flight or enter certain federal buildings.8Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID You need either a REAL ID-compliant card (marked with a star in the upper corner) or another federally accepted ID such as a U.S. passport, passport card, or military ID. The age rules for getting a REAL ID are the same as for the underlying state ID or license; what changes is the paperwork you bring.
To upgrade, you’ll visit your state DMV with proof of identity (such as a birth certificate or passport), your Social Security number, and two documents proving your current address, like a utility bill and a bank statement.9USAGov. How to Get a REAL ID and Use It for Travel The document requirements are stricter than for a standard ID. Non-U.S. citizens with lawful status can also get a REAL ID by presenting their Permanent Resident Card or other immigration documentation.
Documents to Have Ready
Whichever ID you’re applying for, you’ll be asked to prove roughly the same things: who you are, that you’re legally present in the United States, and where you live. Having these documents ready before you visit a DMV or passport acceptance facility prevents a wasted trip.
- Proof of identity and citizenship: a certified birth certificate, a Certificate of Naturalization, or an existing U.S. passport. For non-citizens, a Permanent Resident Card or employment authorization document.
- Social Security documentation: your Social Security card, a W-2, or a pay stub showing your full SSN.
- Proof of address: utility bills, bank statements, lease agreements, or mortgage documents. Most agencies want at least two documents showing the same address.
- Parental consent for minors: a birth certificate listing the parents’ names typically establishes the relationship. For passports, both parents usually need to appear or provide notarized consent.
If you’ve lost your birth certificate, contact the vital records office in the state where you were born to request a certified copy. Fees and processing times vary, but expect to pay roughly $10 to $30 and wait anywhere from a few days for in-person pickup to several weeks by mail. Getting that one document squared away first makes every other ID application go smoothly.