You can handle a few Arkansas ID card tasks online through the Department of Finance and Administration: ordering a replacement, updating your address, and pre-registering for a new or renewed card. Full renewals, first-time applications, REAL ID upgrades, and name changes still require a visit to a revenue office. A standard card costs $5, and a replacement ordered online arrives by mail in three to five business days.1Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration – Drivers
What You Can Actually Finish Online
The DFA’s myDMV portal supports a specific, limited set of ID transactions. Knowing which ones is the difference between a five-minute task at home and a wasted hour.
- Order a replacement for a lost, stolen, or damaged card and receive it by mail in three to five business days.
- Update your address at no cost. The DFA does not mail a new physical card for an address-only change.
- Pre-register for a new or renewed ID. The system issues a case number you bring to a revenue office for the photo and payment.
- Sign up for renewal reminders by email or text.
Everything else, including a full renewal, a first-time application, a name change, a REAL ID upgrade, and the veteran designation, requires a visit to one of Arkansas’s 134 revenue offices.1Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration – Drivers
Ordering a Replacement Card
Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged card is the most common online ID transaction. The myDMV portal walks you through it in a few minutes if your records are current.
You will need your current Arkansas ID card number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a credit or debit card for the $5 fee. The system checks what you enter against DFA records, so every detail has to match. A mistyped name or wrong date of birth will cause the request to be rejected.2Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Identification Only
Once you confirm your information and pay, the replacement ships to the address on file. The DFA estimates delivery within three to five business days.3Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. MyDMV
If the card was stolen rather than simply lost, consider filing a police report before ordering the replacement. The report creates a record that can help if someone later uses your ID fraudulently.
Updating Your Address
Changing the address on your ID is free through the online portal. The catch: the DFA will not mail a new physical card for an address change. Your existing card stays valid, and the new address simply shows up in state records.1Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration – Drivers
If you want a physical card that reflects the new address, you have to order a replacement for the standard $5. Update your address first, since the card ships to whatever the DFA has on file.
Pre-Registering Before a Revenue Office Visit
Pre-registration lets you fill out the application online, then take a case number to the revenue office. Staff pull up the pre-filled form, which shortens the counter time and the paperwork.1Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration – Drivers
You still have to appear in person for the photo and payment. Pre-registration works for both first-time applicants and people renewing an existing card. It does not replace the visit, only trims it.
What Still Requires a Revenue Office Visit
Several things cannot be done online, no matter how much of the application you prepare in advance:
- First-time applications, which require photo capture and document verification in person.
- REAL ID upgrades, which require original proof-of-identity documents.
- Legal name changes, which require supporting documents staff must verify.
- Full renewals, which include a new photo even if you pre-registered.
- The veteran designation, which requires a military discharge document presented in person.
You can schedule an appointment through the DFA website to avoid long waits. The state operates 134 revenue offices, so most residents have one within reasonable driving distance.4Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Arkansas Real ID
State IDs are issued to Arkansas residents ages five and older who do not hold a valid driver’s license. If you already have an Arkansas license, you do not need a separate ID card; the license serves the same purpose.2Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Identification Only
Fees
A standard Arkansas state ID costs $5. The same fee applies at every age, whether you are getting a first card for a teenager or renewing one for an older adult.2Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Identification Only
Replacements ordered online are also $5. Address updates through the portal are free, though no new card is mailed for that change alone. People recently released from state custody may qualify for a fee waiver on replacement cards under Arkansas law.
REAL ID Is Not an Online Transaction
Since May 7, 2025, the TSA has required a REAL ID-compliant credential to board domestic flights or enter federal buildings.5Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID A compliant Arkansas card carries a gold star in the upper portion. If your card has no star, you need to upgrade before your next flight or federal facility visit, or carry a valid U.S. passport instead.
You cannot obtain or renew a REAL ID online. The upgrade requires an in-person visit with proof of legal presence, proof of identity, proof of your Social Security number, and two proofs of residency.4Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Arkansas Real ID If a REAL ID is what you need, treat the online portal as the wrong tool and book an appointment at a revenue office.