You must be a resident of Virginia to get an identification (ID) privilege card.
An ID privilege card has no age restriction and is available for an adult or child who does not already hold a learner's permit or driver's license issued from a state within the United States.
If you already hold a valid driver privilege card from Virginia, you may exchange your driver privilege card for an ID privilege card.
What is an ID Privilege Card?
An ID privilege card is a non-driving ID credential for individuals who are non-US citizens and cannot meet Virginia's legal presence requirements, making them ineligible to receive a standard or REAL ID-compliant ID card in Virginia.
Beginning January 1, 2022 you may be eligible to obtain an ID privilege card if you meet the following requirements:
- You are a non-US citizen who is a resident of Virginia
- You have reported income from Virginia sources or are claimed as a dependent on a tax return filed in Virginia in the past 12 months
An ID privilege card is not REAL ID-compliant and, as such, may not be used as identification to board a flight or enter a secure federal facility.
Identification and Residency Requirements
Each time you apply for an ID privilege card (or on each return visit until your ID privilege card is issued), you must present documents proving your eligibility.
You must show:
- Two proofs of identity
- Two proofs of Virginia residency
- Proof of your social security number (if you have been issued one) or your individual taxpayer identification number
- Tax return documentation
To determine which documents to bring to DMV when you apply, use the interactive Document Guide, or review the DMV publication "Obtaining a Driver Privilege Card or Identification Privilege Card" (DMV 309).
Documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified English translation by a professional translator in order to be accepted.
Your proof of reported income and deductions from Virginia sources will be verified electronically with the Virginia Department of Taxation before your ID privilege card is issued. Visit www.tax.virginia.gov for Virginia income tax return filing information.
All documents must be original and will be subject to verification; however, print-outs of online residency documents that are listed on Form DMV 309 are acceptable as proof of residency. Temporary documents and photocopies of documents will not be accepted. DMV will not accept a document as proof of identity, legal presence, residency, or social security number when there is reason to believe it has been altered, fraudulently obtained or is fake, forged, counterfeit, or otherwise non-genuine or illegitimate.
Documents accepted by DMV as proof of identity, Virginia residency, and social security number may change without prior notice. DMV may require additional documents. If you have official documentation, not listed below, that you believe meets DMV requirements, please present it to your local DMV office for review.
Upon issuance of an ID privilege card in the Commonwealth of Virginia, any driver's license, driver privilege card, commercial driver's license, or ID card previously issued by another state must be surrendered and will be cancelled by the issuing state.
You may hold either a driver privilege card, or an ID privilege card, but not both. If you hold a license of any kind, you must surrender it before applying for an ID privilege card.
Selective Service Registration
Generally, males under age 26 must register with the Selective Service. If you are required by federal law to register with the Selective Service, you must authorize DMV to forward your personal information to the Selective Service unless you have already registered.
If you are under age 18, your parent or guardian must sign your application authorizing the Selective Service to register you when you turn age 18.
DMV is prohibited by law from issuing any type of driver's license or ID card to an applicant who is required by federal law to register with the Selective Service but who refuses to authorize DMV to send his information to the Selective Service. If you have questions about Selective Service registration, visit the Selective Service website at www.sss.gov or call 847-688-6888 (TTY: 847-688-2567).
Completing the Application
If you are applying for an ID privilege card, you must complete an Application for a Driver Privilege Card or Identification Privilege Card (form DL 10).
For a child ID privilege card (under age 15), complete the application for an Identification Privilege Card for Minors Under 15 (form DL 23).
You may complete these forms before or during your visit to DMV. Use your full legal name on the application. Abbreviations and nicknames will not be accepted. For your convenience, you may indicate your desire to become an organ donor when you apply for your ID privilege card.
Fee
An ID privilege card or child ID privilege card costs $25.00. You may pay with cash, money order, check, check card or major credit card.
Length of Time an ID Card is Valid
If you are 16 or older, your first ID privilege card will expire on your birthday in the fourth year of ID card validity. All subsequent issuances will be valid for four years from the date of issuance.
Getting Your ID Card
You will receive your ID privilege card in the mail, so make sure DMV has your current, correct address on record. The U.S. Postal Service will not forward ID privilege cards, so notify DMV right away if you have moved.
DMV will assign you a customer number which will display on your ID privilege card. If you wish to change your DMV-assigned number in the future, you may be required to present documentation from law enforcement or the courts indicating that you may be a victim of identity theft.
Photographs
DMV may refuse to issue a credential to any applicant who appears for photographing in a disguise or intentionally distorts their face to alter their appearance.
Medical Indicators
An applicant or parent or legal guardian (if applicant is under 18), submitting a signed physician statement may voluntarily request indicators be placed on the applicant's ID privilege card as a means of identifying their condition/impairment to law enforcement personnel. A "9" will display in the restriction field on the face of the ID privilege card and will be decoded on the back as follows:
- Insulin-dependent diabetic
- Speech impairment
- Hearing impairment
- Intellectual disability (IntD will display)
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD will display)
- Blind or vision impaired
- Traumatic brain injury
Blood Type Designation
Consider displaying your blood type on your identification privilege card.
Obtaining a Child ID Card
A parent or a legal guardian can obtain a child identification privilege card for their child under age 15. Applicants for a child identification privilege card must appear in-person at a DMV customer service center. The cost of a child identification privilege card is $25.
A parent or legal guardian must present the following when applying:
- One identity document for the child
- Proof of the child's social security number (if they have been issued one) or their individual taxpayer identification number
- Proof of a parent or legal guardian's identification and two proofs of Virginia residency from the residency list
Use the interactive Document Guide to determine which documents you will need to bring to DMV, or refer to "Obtaining a Driver Privilege Card or Identification Privilege Card" (DMV 309).
A child ID privilege card issued to an applicant under the age of 15 will be valid for four years, unless the applicant is 13 or older, then the applicant's ID privilege card will expire on their 16th birthday. While a child's first ID privilege card will expire on their birthday, all subsequent issuances will be valid for four years from the date of issuance.
In addition to serving as an identity document, the child’s photograph is stored in DMV’s database. If the child becomes missing, DMV can retrieve the image from the database and transmit it to law enforcement anywhere in the U.S.