To apply for a municipal ID, you prove two things to your city or county: who you are, and that you live there. The process runs through a designated enrollment center, usually by appointment, and takes about 15 to 30 minutes in person once you have the right documents in hand. Your card arrives by mail roughly 10 to 14 business days later.
First, Check Whether Your City Has a Program
Not every city issues a municipal ID. The fastest way to find out is to search your city’s official website for “municipal ID” or call the city’s 311 service line. If nothing comes up, your city likely does not run one, and your alternative is a state-issued non-driver ID through your state’s DMV.
Where programs do exist, they were built with people in mind who face barriers to state identification, including undocumented immigrants, people experiencing homelessness, and elderly residents who no longer drive. These programs accept foreign passports, consular identification cards, and foreign national ID cards that many state DMVs will not take.
Who Can Apply
Eligibility rests on one main requirement: you live in the city or county offering the program. There is typically no citizenship requirement and no immigration status check. Most programs set a minimum age somewhere around 10 to 14, though younger children can often apply with a parent or guardian present. There is usually no upper age limit.
If you are experiencing homelessness, many programs accept a shelter address or a letter from a social service organization in place of a traditional residency document. If you are applying for a child, a parent or legal guardian generally needs to attend the appointment and bring proof of the relationship, such as a birth certificate or court guardianship order. Minimum ages and guardian rules are not standardized across cities, so confirm your local program’s requirements before you schedule.
Documents You Need to Bring
Most programs use a points system: each document carries a point value, and you need to reach a minimum total. You generally need at least one document that shows your photo and one that shows your date of birth, plus separate proof that you live in the municipality. The exact point values and accepted documents vary by city, so pull your program’s document list before your appointment.
Proving Identity
Higher-value identity documents typically include a U.S. or foreign passport, U.S. birth certificate, permanent resident card, or foreign national ID card. Moderate-value documents often include a consular identification card, foreign driver’s license, or foreign military ID. Lower-value documents include school IDs, employee IDs, veteran identification cards, and library cards with a photo.
Some programs accept expired documents at a reduced point value. A passport expired within three years, for example, might still count for partial credit. Bring everything you have, even expired cards, because combining several lower-value documents can get you to the threshold if your top-tier document is missing.
Proving Residency
Residency documents must show your name and an address within the municipality. Commonly accepted items include a utility bill, cable or phone bill, current lease, bank statement, property tax statement, or employment pay stub. Most programs require bills and pay stubs to be dated within the last 60 days, and tax statements within the past year.
If you lack a traditional address, ask the enrollment center about alternatives. Many programs accept letters from shelters, social service agencies, or religious organizations confirming that you receive services or reside at their location.
Documents in Other Languages
Foreign-language documents are generally accepted, but some programs require a certified English translation. If your key documents are not in English, contact your local program before your appointment to find out whether a translation is needed and in what format. Certified translations take time to obtain, so start early.
Scheduling and the Enrollment Visit
Enrollment happens at designated city offices, community centers, libraries, or pop-up sites. Most programs require an appointment, which you can usually book online or by calling 311. New slots often open on a weekly rolling basis, so check back in a few days if the calendar looks empty. Some sites accept walk-ins on specific days, but wait times can be long.
Plan on 15 to 30 minutes for the visit itself. A staff member reviews your documents, verifies they meet the point requirements, and hands all originals back to you on the spot. Nearly all programs prohibit copying or retaining the personal documents you bring. Your photo is taken for the card. Some programs conduct a brief interview to confirm the details on your application. Bring every document you have that might count, including ones you are not sure about; extras give you a cushion if one gets rejected.
Fees
Fees vary. Some programs issue cards free of charge; others charge up to about $20. Many offer reduced fees or waivers for seniors, children, veterans, and low-income residents. If cost is a barrier, ask about waivers when you schedule. Replacement cards for lost or damaged IDs typically run $10 to $15.
After You Apply
Once approved, expect your card in the mail in about 10 to 14 business days. Processing can stretch to three or four weeks during busy periods. If you do not have a stable mailing address, ask at enrollment whether you can pick the card up in person instead.
Denials usually come from one of two causes: the documents did not meet the point threshold, or a residency document was outdated. The issuing office typically explains the reason and tells you what to fix. In most cases you can simply reapply with the right documents. Some programs offer a formal appeal; others just accept a new application.
Renewing or Replacing Your Card
Municipal IDs are not permanent. Most are valid for two to five years, depending on the program. Renewal usually means another visit to an enrollment center with updated residency proof, though some programs allow renewal online or by mail. If you move before the card expires, contact your local program to find out whether you need a new card or can just update your information on file.
If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, request a replacement at the same offices where you originally applied. Bring whatever identity documents you still have. The replacement fee is typically lower than the original, and some programs waive it entirely for theft victims or people experiencing homelessness.
What the Card Will Not Do
A municipal ID is identification that works inside your city’s ecosystem. It is not a driver’s license and does not grant driving privileges. It is not accepted at airport security checkpoints, where TSA requires a state-issued or federal ID, a passport, or another item on its approved list.1Transportation Security Administration. Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint It generally cannot be used to buy age-restricted products like alcohol or tobacco at retailers that require a state-issued ID, and it does not satisfy the REAL ID requirements that took effect for domestic air travel in May 2025.2USAGov. How to Get a REAL ID and Use It for Travel If you need to fly or drive, you still need the corresponding state or federal document.