The United States does not issue a single national identity card. To get a government-issued ID in the US, you apply for one of three documents depending on how you plan to use it: a U.S. passport book for international travel and universal acceptance, a U.S. passport card for a cheaper wallet-sized federal ID that works for domestic flights and land or sea crossings to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, or a state identification card issued by your state’s motor vehicle agency for everyday identification.1U.S. Department of State. U.S. Passports and REAL ID
Which ID Should You Apply For
The passport book is the most versatile document. It covers international air travel, domestic flights, entry to federal facilities, and general identity verification. It also costs the most and takes the longest to receive.
The passport card is a plastic, wallet-sized alternative. It cannot be used for international air travel, but it works for domestic flights, federal building access, and land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. If you don’t fly internationally, it’s a cheaper federally-issued photo ID.
A state ID card is the standard photo ID for people who don’t drive. Every state issues them through its motor vehicle agency, and eligibility usually starts in early childhood with no maximum age. If you want to use a state ID to board a domestic flight or enter most federal buildings, it has to carry the REAL ID star marking in the upper-right corner. Since May 7, 2025, the TSA has stopped accepting state IDs and driver’s licenses without that marking.2Transportation Security Administration. TSA Publishes Final Rule on REAL ID Enforcement Beginning May 7, 2025 A U.S. passport book or passport card is already REAL ID compliant, so if you hold either one you can fly domestically without a REAL ID state card.3Transportation Security Administration. Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint
How to Apply for a U.S. Passport Book or Passport Card
First-time adult applicants must apply in person using Form DS-11. You can apply for the book, the card, or both on the same form and in the same visit, which saves a trip if you want the card for daily use and the book for flights abroad.
Apply at an acceptance facility. There are more than 7,500 of them nationwide, including post offices, public libraries, and local government offices.4U.S. Department of State. Where to Apply for a U.S. Passport Fill out Form DS-11 using the State Department’s online form filler and print it, but do not sign it until the acceptance agent instructs you to. The agent verifies your identity, administers an oath, witnesses your signature, and submits the application on your behalf.
Documents to Bring
Bring proof of U.S. citizenship: an original or certified birth certificate, a naturalization certificate, or a previously issued U.S. passport. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver’s license. Bring one recent passport photo, 2 x 2 inches, on a white or off-white background.5U.S. Department of State. U.S. Passport Photos You can take the photo yourself, get it at a pharmacy or photo shop, or have it taken at the acceptance facility.
You must include your Social Security number on the application. This is a legal requirement, and omitting it can delay or derail the application. The IRS can also impose a $500 penalty for not providing it.6U.S. Department of State. Frequently Asked Questions If you have never been issued a Social Security number, submit a signed statement under penalty of perjury saying so.
Children Under 16
Children under 16 must apply in person on Form DS-11, and both parents or legal guardians must appear at the acceptance facility with the child. Agents enforce the two-parent rule strictly. If one parent cannot be there, the absent parent submits Form DS-3053, a notarized statement of consent valid for 90 days from the notarization date.7U.S. Department of State. Statement of Consent – Form DS-3053 A parent with sole legal custody can skip the consent step by presenting a court order, the other parent’s death certificate, or a birth certificate listing only one parent.
How to Apply for a State ID Card
State ID cards are issued by your state’s motor vehicle agency. In most states you apply in person at a local office, present your documents, get your photo taken, and have a thumbprint scanned. The card is mailed to your home, typically within one to four weeks. Fees and specific document lists vary by state.
Whether or not you want the REAL ID version, most states now ask for the same core documents that REAL ID requires: proof of identity and lawful status, proof of your Social Security number, and two proofs that you live in the state.8USAGov. How to Get a REAL ID and Use It for Travel
- Identity: a birth certificate, U.S. passport, or permanent resident card.
- Social Security number: a Social Security card, W-2 form, or pay stub showing your full number.
- State residency: two documents such as utility bills, a lease agreement, or bank statements.
When you apply or renew, ask for the REAL ID version if you want the star. You don’t need a separate card, just the same visit with the right documents.
Non-citizens who are lawfully present can apply for a state ID. Permanent residents typically bring an unexpired green card. Visa holders present a foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa and approved I-94. The card’s expiration date may be tied to your authorized period of stay.
Fees
Passport applicants pay two fees the first time: an application fee to the State Department and a $35 execution fee to the acceptance facility. As of 2026, the adult totals are:
- Passport book only: $130 application fee plus $35 execution fee, or $165 total.9U.S. Department of State. Passport Fees
- Passport card only: $30 application fee plus $35 execution fee, or $65 total.10U.S. Department of State. United States Passport Fees
- Both book and card together: $160 application fee plus $35 execution fee, or $195 total.
Expedited service adds $60 to the application fee.
State ID fees vary widely. Some states charge nothing for adults, and others charge up to about $40. Many states offer free or reduced-fee cards for seniors, people experiencing homelessness, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. Check your state’s motor vehicle agency for the exact cost.
Processing Times
Routine passport processing takes four to six weeks. Expedited service cuts that to two to three weeks. Neither figure includes mailing, which can add up to two weeks in each direction.11Travel.State.Gov. Processing Times for U.S. Passports If you have travel booked within three weeks, you may need an appointment at a regional passport agency for emergency service.
State ID cards usually arrive by mail within one to four weeks after your visit.
Replacing a Lost or Stolen ID
Report a lost or stolen passport right away. The State Department cancels the passport as soon as you report it, and once canceled it cannot be used again even if you find it later.12Travel.State.Gov. Report Your Passport Lost or Stolen The fastest option is the State Department’s online form filler, which files Form DS-64 and cancels the passport within one business day. You then apply for a replacement in person using Form DS-11, the same form first-time applicants use.
For a lost or stolen state ID, contact your motor vehicle agency. Most states want another form of ID, like a birth certificate, to verify who you are. Some states allow replacement online or by mail; others require an in-person visit.
A Note on Fraud
Lying on a passport application or submitting a fake identification document carries serious federal criminal penalties. Forging or misusing a passport is punishable by up to 10 years in prison for a first or second offense, rising to 20 years if the fraud facilitates drug trafficking and 25 years if connected to international terrorism.13Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 U.S. Code 1543 – Forgery or False Use of Passport Producing, transferring, or using a fake driver’s license, birth certificate, or other government-issued ID carries up to 15 years, and using someone else’s identification carries up to 5.14Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 U.S. Code 1028 – Fraud and Related Activity in Connection With Identification Documents, Authentication Features, and Information These federal charges sit on top of any state-level prosecution.