How Much Is a State ID in Ohio? Fees, Documents, and REAL ID

An Ohio state ID costs $10 for a four-year card or $19 for an eight-year card, and the price is the same whether you pick a standard card or a REAL ID-compliant one.¹ There is no minimum age to apply, and the card works as official photo identification for Ohio residents who don’t have a driver’s license.

Ohio State ID Fees

The fee depends on how long you want the card to last, not on which version you choose:

Four-year card (new or renewal): $10.00
Eight-year card (new or renewal): $19.00
Duplicate or online reprint: $9.00 for either validity period

These prices apply at any deputy registrar location and for online transactions.¹ Ohio law also provides that cardholders aged 17 and older can apply for a replacement card at no charge.² A “replacement” under that provision isn’t the same as a standard duplicate or reprint, so confirm your eligibility with the BMV before assuming your card will be free.

Standard ID or REAL ID

Both cost the same, so the choice comes down to what you need the card to do. Federal REAL ID enforcement began on May 7, 2025.³ Since then, a standard Ohio ID is no longer accepted for boarding domestic flights or entering certain federal facilities. To do those things you need a REAL ID-compliant card or another federally accepted document such as a U.S. passport or military ID.⁴

The paperwork difference is small but real. A REAL ID-compliant card requires two documents from different sources proving your Ohio street address; a standard card requires one.⁴ If you fly domestically or ever enter federal buildings, the compliant card is worth the extra document. A standard card is fine if you only need ID for banking, age verification, and everyday use.

One warning for travelers: the temporary paper ID you receive while your permanent card is being mailed is not accepted by TSA at airport checkpoints.⁵ Keep your passport or another accepted document ready until the permanent card arrives.

Documents You Need to Bring

For either version of the card, you must prove five things at the BMV: your full legal name, date of birth, legal presence in the United States, Social Security number, and Ohio street address.⁴ If your name has changed through marriage, divorce, or court order, bring documentation of each change so the BMV can trace from your birth name to your current legal name. Every document must be an original or a certified copy.

Identity and Date of Birth

A U.S. passport or a certified birth certificate issued by a government agency is the most common choice.⁶ A certificate of citizenship or naturalization also works. School records and transcripts are accepted as originals or certified copies if they show your full legal name and date of birth.

Social Security Number

Bring one of the following: your Social Security card (metal versions are not accepted), a W-2 showing your full Social Security number, a 1099 showing your full number, or a pay stub with your name and full number. W-2s, 1099s, and pay stubs must be from the current or most recent tax year, and none can be handwritten.⁷

Ohio Residency

For a REAL ID-compliant card, bring two documents from different sources showing your Ohio street address. For a standard card, one is enough.⁶ Utility bills, bank statements, and government mail sent to your Ohio home are common choices. The two-document rule is the most common reason people get turned away at the counter, so check your paperwork before you go.

Requirements for Non-U.S. Citizens

Non-citizens can get an Ohio state ID but must show additional documents. What you need depends on your status:

Permanent residents: a valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) issued by DHS or USCIS.
Visa holders: an unexpired foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa, an approved I-94, and a supplemental USCIS document showing your dates of legal presence.
Employment authorization holders: a valid Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766 or I-688B) and a supplemental USCIS document showing your dates of legal presence.

Supplemental USCIS documents include forms such as DS-2019, I-20, I-94 (for asylum, parole, or refugee status), I-797 with qualifying case types, and other documents the Registrar deems acceptable.⁶ Non-citizens also cannot use the streamlined single-document process available to U.S. citizens for renewals and duplicates. Full documentation is required every time.

How to Apply

Apply in person at any deputy registrar license agency; you can find locations on the Ohio BMV website. Walk-ins are accepted, and the BMV also runs a remote queueing system that lets you check in ahead of time through the website, a QR code at the location, an in-office kiosk, or text message.⁸

At the agency you’ll present your documents, have your photo taken, and pay the fee. Deputy registrars accept cash, checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards. You’ll leave with a temporary paper ID, and the permanent card arrives by mail at your Ohio address, typically within 7 to 10 business days. Again, the paper temporary is not valid for TSA at airports.⁵

Renewing or Replacing Your ID

Ohio state ID cards expire on your birthday in the fourth or eighth year after issuance, depending on the validity period you chose.⁹ You can renew at any deputy registrar, and the BMV offers online renewal through its OH|ID system for eligible applicants. Online renewal involves logging in, answering verification questions, and uploading a photo along with an acceptable document.

If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged and none of your information has changed, you can order a reprint online for $9. To update details like your name, visit a deputy registrar in person with supporting documentation. Renewal paperwork is generally lighter than a first-time application because the BMV already has your records, but non-citizens must present full documentation at every renewal.⁶

1
Ohio BMV. Driver License and ID Cards
2
Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 4507.52 – Identification Card Contents
3
Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID
4
Ohio BMV. Driver License and ID Cards – Identity Documents
5
Transportation Security Administration. Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint
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Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Compliant DL-ID Card – Acceptable Documents List
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Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Acceptable Documents List – Compliant DL-ID Card
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Ohio BMV. Remote Queueing
9
Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Ohio Revised Code 4507.501 – State Identification Card Expiration Dates