How Old Do You Have to Be to Get an ID in Texas?

There is no minimum age to get an ID in Texas. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) issues a personal identification certificate to any Texas resident, whether that’s a newborn, a five-year-old, or an adult.¹ Anyone under 18 needs a parent or legal guardian present at the DPS office to consent to the application. The card costs $16 for applicants 59 and younger, $6 for those 60 and older, and stays valid for six years.²

Getting an ID for a Child or Teenager

Parents commonly request ID cards for infants and toddlers for travel, medical records, or other situations where proof of identity is useful. The rules are the same as for an adult applicant, with two additions.

First, a parent or legal guardian has to be at the DPS office in person and provide consent during the application. DPS posts downloadable consent forms on its website that can be filled out before the appointment.¹

Second, if the applicant is younger than 21, DPS prints “UNDER 21” across the face of the card. That marking lets businesses verify age for restricted purchases without asking for a separate document.

ID Card Versus Driver’s License

The ID card and the driver’s license are both issued by DPS and look similar, but they do different jobs. An ID card proves identity. A driver’s license does that and authorizes you to drive. If your only goal is a government-issued photo ID, the ID card is the right document at any age.

Driving credentials have their own age floors. A learner license requires you to be at least 15.³ A provisional license follows after supervised driving requirements are met, and a full unrestricted license comes at 18. None of that applies to an ID card.

One rule catches families off guard: Texas law does not allow the same person to hold both a driver’s license and an ID card at the same time. Applying for one means surrendering the other.⁴ If a teenager already has an ID card and later gets a learner permit, the ID card goes back to DPS.

What It Costs

DPS charges a flat fee based on age at the time of application. The amounts include a $1 administrative fee that is waived for mail transactions.²

Age 59 and younger: $16 for a new card or renewal
Age 60 and older: $6 for a new card or renewal

There is no children’s rate. A six-year-old pays the same $16 as a 40-year-old. DPS prefers credit cards but also takes money orders, cashier’s checks, and personal checks for the exact amount.

Documents to Bring

DPS requires proof in three categories, and arriving without any one of them means a wasted appointment.

Identity and Citizenship

One document that proves who the applicant is. The common choices are an original or certified U.S. birth certificate or an unexpired U.S. passport.⁵ If the identity document does not establish citizenship on its own, DPS asks for additional proof of citizenship or lawful presence, such as a certificate of naturalization.

Texas Residency

Something that shows the applicant lives in Texas. Acceptable options include a current utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or Texas vehicle registration or title.⁶ For a minor, a parent’s residency document tied to the same address typically satisfies this.

Social Security Number

The Social Security card itself, or another document that clearly shows the full number, such as a W-2. DPS verifies the number electronically.

Parental Consent Under 18

A parent or legal guardian in the office, with the DPS consent form completed in advance.¹

How the Appointment Works

All DPS driver license offices operate by appointment only. A limited number of same-day slots open throughout the day and can be booked online, but scheduling in advance is more reliable.⁷

At the appointment, a DPS representative reviews the documents, verifies identity, captures fingerprints, and takes the photograph. Payment happens on the spot. The applicant leaves with a temporary paper ID that works as identification until the permanent card is mailed to the Texas residential address on file, usually within a few weeks.

REAL ID and Air Travel

Since May 7, 2025, air travelers 18 and older need a REAL ID-compliant card or another federally accepted document like a passport to board a domestic flight.⁸ Texas has issued REAL ID-compliant cards since October 2016; a gold star in the upper right corner means the card already qualifies.⁹ Children under 18 are not required to show REAL ID at airport security, though TSA recommends bringing some form of ID.¹⁰

The Free Election Identification Certificate

Texans who need photo ID only for voting have another option, and it has its own age rule. The Election Identification Certificate (EIC) is free from any DPS office. To qualify, the applicant must be a Texas resident, a U.S. citizen, at least 17 years and 10 months old, and registered to vote or willing to register at the office. An EIC is not available to anyone who already holds an unexpired photo ID accepted for voting, such as a Texas driver’s license, ID card, passport, or concealed handgun license, or one that expired within the last four years.¹¹

The EIC is valid for six years, with no expiration for holders 70 and older. It is a voting document only. DPS will not accept it as identity verification for other purposes, and it cannot be used to apply for a regular ID card or driver’s license.

1
Department of Public Safety. How to Apply for a Texas Identification Card
2
Department of Public Safety. Driver License Fees
3
Department of Public Safety. Texas Learners License as a Teen
4
State of Texas. Texas Transportation Code 521.183
5
Department of Public Safety. Identification Requirements
6
Texas Department of Public Safety. Driver License/Identification Card and REAL ID Checklist
7
Department of Public Safety. Driver License Services – Appointments
8
Transportation Security Administration. TSA REAL ID Enforcement Deadline
9
Department of Public Safety. Federal Real ID Act
10
Transportation Security Administration. Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint
11
Department of Public Safety. Election Identification Certificate (EIC)