A new Texas ID card costs $16 if you’re 59 or younger and $6 if you’re 60 or older. The card is valid for six years, and you’ll need to apply in person at a Department of Public Safety office with documents proving your identity, lawful presence, Social Security number, and Texas residency.1Department of Public Safety. Driver License Fees
Texas ID Card Fees
DPS sets the fee by age, and every price below includes a $1 administrative charge that is waived if you handle the transaction by mail.
- Ages 59 and younger: $16 for a new or renewed card, valid for six years.
- Ages 60 and older: $6 for a new or renewed card, also valid for six years.
- Replacement card (lost, stolen, or damaged): $11. The expiration date stays the same as the original.
The Texas ID card looks similar to a driver’s license and works as valid photo identification for most everyday purposes.1Department of Public Safety. Driver License Fees
Free ID for Voting Only
If the only reason you need a photo ID is to vote, and you don’t have any other acceptable form of identification, DPS issues an Election Identification Certificate at no cost. You have to be at least 17 years and 10 months old, eligible to vote in Texas, and a Texas resident. Bring proof of U.S. citizenship, identity documents, and either a valid voter registration card or be ready to submit a voter registration application at the office.2Department of Public Safety. Election Identification Certificates (EIC) Documentation Requirements
The EIC is limited to voting. For a general-purpose photo ID, you’ll need the standard card and its fee.
Documents You Need to Bring
DPS asks for four categories of documentation. Every document must be an original or certified copy. Photocopies and laminated versions are rejected.
Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence
U.S. citizens can present an unexpired U.S. passport or an original or certified birth certificate from a state vital statistics office. Non-citizens may present a valid Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), among other immigration documents.3Department of Public Safety. U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence Requirement
Proof of Identity and Social Security Number
An unexpired U.S. passport works on its own for identity. Without one, you’ll typically need a combination such as a birth certificate paired with a Social Security card. Your Social Security number has to be on file with DPS, so bring the card itself or a W-2 that shows the full number.3Department of Public Safety. U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence Requirement
Proof of Texas Residency
Bring two separate printed documents that show your name and Texas residential address, and at least one has to verify you’ve lived in Texas for 30 days or more. DPS accepts a wide range: a current deed or mortgage statement, a utility bill dated within 180 days, a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, a bank or credit card statement dated within 180 days, a vehicle registration or title, and a voter registration card, among others. Both documents can come from the same source if that source is a local government providing multiple services, such as a separate water bill and gas bill from the same municipal utility.4Department of Public Safety. Texas Residency Requirement for Driver Licenses and ID Cards
How to Apply at DPS
Texas DPS offices run by appointment only. You can book one up to six months in advance through the DPS online scheduler, and a limited number of same-day slots open throughout the day at most locations. If you arrive without an appointment, a self-service kiosk in the lobby will let you book one for that day, if any are open, or a future date.5Department of Public Safety. Driver License Services – Appointments
At the appointment, you’ll turn in your documents, give thumbprints, take a photo, and pay the fee. DPS also offers voter registration during the same visit, so you can register or update your registration at the counter.6Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 52 U.S. Code 20504 – Simultaneous Application for Voter Registration and Application for Motor Vehicle Drivers License
Before you leave, DPS gives you a temporary paper document. Check every detail on it for accuracy on the spot, because fixing an error later means another visit. Your permanent card arrives by mail within two to three weeks.7Department of Public Safety. Wheres my Driver License or ID card? If you move after that, you have 30 days to update your address with DPS.8Department of Public Safety. How to Change Information on Your Driver License or ID Card
REAL ID and the Gold Star
Federal enforcement of REAL ID requirements began on May 7, 2025. A REAL ID-compliant card is now required to board domestic flights and to enter certain federal facilities.9Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID Agencies may take a phased approach, but full enforcement has to be in place no later than May 5, 2027.10Federal Register. Minimum Standards for Drivers Licenses and Identification Cards Acceptable by Federal Agencies for Official Purposes; Phased Approach for Card-Based Enforcement
Texas has been issuing REAL ID-compliant cards since October 2016. A gold star in the upper right corner of your card means it already meets the federal standard. If you’re applying for a new ID and bring the documents listed above, the card you receive will be compliant.11Department of Public Safety. Federal Real ID Act
Renewing an Existing ID Online
You may be able to renew a Texas ID card online, which skips the appointment entirely. Eligibility requires that your last renewal was done in person, your card expires within two years or expired less than two years ago, and you’re a U.S. citizen with your Social Security number already on file with DPS.12Texas.gov. Online Services Eligibility for Texas Driver License and ID Cards The fee is the same whether you renew online or at an office.