To get a Florida ID card, you visit a Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) service center or a county tax collector’s office in person, bring original documents proving your identity, Social Security number, and Florida residence, and pay a $25 state fee. The card is available to any Florida resident age five or older who does not hold a valid driver’s license from any state.1Florida Senate. Florida Code 322.051 – Identification Cards If you currently hold an out-of-state license, you must surrender it before Florida will issue you an ID.
Who Qualifies
Three conditions have to be true: you live in Florida, you are at least five years old, and you do not have a valid driver’s license anywhere. Children under five can qualify only if they have a disability and are applying for a disabled parking permit. Non-citizens can apply, but their immigration documents must have at least 61 days of validity remaining on the day they apply.
What to Bring
Florida applies federal REAL ID Act documentation rules, so the requirements are strict and photocopies are not accepted for anything.2Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. What to Bring You need originals in three categories.
Proof of Identity and Date of Birth
One primary document that shows both. For U.S. citizens, that means a certified U.S. birth certificate, a valid unexpired U.S. passport or passport card, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Citizenship.3Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. REAL ID A hospital souvenir birth certificate does not count.
If your current legal name is different from the name on that primary document, bring every document in the chain connecting the two. A marriage certificate, a divorce decree, or a court-ordered name change all work. Several name changes may mean several documents, unless one of them shows your birth name and your current name together.
Proof of Social Security Number
Your Social Security card is the simplest option. A W-2, a pay stub showing your full SSN, or a military ID card also works.4USAGov. How to Get a REAL ID and Use It for Travel A non-citizen who has never been issued a Social Security number must bring proof of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration.
Two Proofs of Florida Residential Address
Two separate documents, each showing your name and your physical street address. P.O. boxes are not accepted. Utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage statements, and bank statements all qualify. Any dated document has to be dated within the past 60 days.3Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. REAL ID
The FLHSMV website has a “What to Bring” tool where you select your citizenship status and get the exact list of accepted documents for each category. Running through it before you leave the house is the single best way to avoid a second trip.
The Visit Itself
Every first-time applicant has to appear in person. You can book an appointment through the FLHSMV website to shorten the wait, and most locations also take walk-ins. Staff will review your documents, take your photograph, and capture a digital signature. You pay the fee and walk out with a temporary paper credential. The permanent card is manufactured centrally and mailed to the address you provided, which usually takes two to three weeks.
Fees and Waivers
The state fee for a Florida ID card is $25, whether it is your first card, a renewal, or a replacement.5Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Fees A county tax collector’s office adds a $6.25 service fee on top of that; a state-run FLHSMV office does not. Payment options include cash, checks, and major credit cards.
The fee is waived entirely for residents who can show satisfactory evidence of homelessness, juvenile offenders receiving services through the Department of Juvenile Justice, and inmates receiving cards through a Department of Corrections program.1Florida Senate. Florida Code 322.051 – Identification Cards Honorably discharged veterans can add a “Veteran” designation to the card at no charge with a DD-214 or VA documentation showing honorable discharge, and they are exempt from the $6.25 tax collector service fee on transactions tied to that designation.
If the Applicant Is a Child
Children ages five through fourteen can get an ID card, but it is valid for four years instead of the standard eight.6Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Frequently Asked Questions The child has to appear in person to be photographed.
A parent, step-parent, or legal guardian confirms the residential address. If the parent comes along, they give a verbal statement and provide the two address documents. If the parent cannot come, they complete a Certification of Address form ahead of time and still provide two address documents. The parent and the minor must share the same address. If the child’s current name differs from the birth certificate, court documents showing the legal name change are required.
If You Are a Non-Citizen
Bring original, legible proof of legal presence issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Lawful permanent residents present an unexpired green card. Non-immigrants need a valid passport plus Department of Homeland Security documentation showing lawful status.7Florida Senate. Florida Code 322.08 – Application for License; Requirements for License and Identification Card Forms The immigration documents must have at least 61 days of validity remaining.
The card itself expires when your immigration documents expire or after one year, whichever comes first, and it can only be renewed in person.1Florida Senate. Florida Code 322.051 – Identification Cards If you have had a name change, it must already be reflected in your USCIS records, and you must report the change to the Social Security Administration at least 48 hours before your office visit. Any document in a foreign language has to come with a written English translation.
Standard Card or REAL ID
Since May 7, 2025, a REAL ID-compliant credential has been required to board a domestic flight or enter certain federal facilities such as military bases and nuclear plants.8Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID A valid U.S. passport also satisfies TSA at the airport, so REAL ID compliance matters most if your state ID is your only federal identification.
A REAL ID-compliant Florida card has a gold star in the upper right corner.3Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. REAL ID There is no separate REAL ID fee. If you bring the full set of identity, Social Security, and residency documents described above, the card you receive will be REAL ID-compliant.
After You Get the Card
A card issued to someone 15 or older is valid for eight years. Cards issued to children ages five through fourteen expire after four years.
If you move, you have 30 calendar days to get a replacement card reflecting your new address.9The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 322.19 – Change of Address, Name, or Citizenship Status Address updates can usually happen online through the MyDMV Portal, unless your original identity documents were immigration-based, in which case the change has to happen in person with updated documentation. Missing the 30-day deadline is a nonmoving traffic violation and carries a fine.
Renewals can be done online through the MyDMV Portal, but only every other cycle: if you renewed online last time, you have to go in person this time.10Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Renew or Replace Your Florida Driver License or ID Card You also have to go in person if your current card is not REAL ID-compliant, if you want to update the photo, if you are changing your name, or if you are adding or removing a designation.