How to Get a State ID Card in Nebraska: Documents, Cost, and Renewal

To get a State ID card in Nebraska, apply in person at a driver licensing office with proof of identity, your Social Security number, and two documents showing your Nebraska address. The card is free for U.S. citizens, and every valid Nebraska ID already carries the gold star that meets federal REAL ID standards for airport security and federal buildings.¹²

Who Can Apply

Any Nebraska resident can get a state ID. There is no minimum age, so a parent can obtain a card for a child of any age.³ One rule matters up front: you cannot hold a valid Nebraska driver’s license and a state ID card at the same time.¹ If your license is suspended or revoked, a state ID card can serve as your photo identification in the meantime.

Non-citizens in lawful immigration status can apply as well. They present documents proving that status, such as a valid foreign passport with a U.S. visa and an approved I-94, a Permanent Resident Card, or an employment authorization document. Their card’s validity is tied to their authorized period of stay.

Documents You Need to Bring

Nebraska uses a three-part document check. Gather every piece before your visit; missing a document means starting over another day.

Proof of Identity and Lawful Status

Bring one primary document proving who you are and that you are legally present in the United States. Acceptable options include a certified state-issued birth certificate, a valid unexpired U.S. passport, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship.⁴

If your current legal name doesn’t match the name on your identity document, bring paperwork that bridges every step of the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court-ordered name change for each name in the chain.

Social Security Number

The DMV verifies your Social Security number directly with the Social Security Administration before issuing a card.⁵ Bring a document showing your number. Accepted proofs include your Social Security card, a military ID, DD-214 discharge papers, an official payroll document showing your name and SSN, or a Medicare card with an “A” following the number. A non-citizen ineligible for an SSN can present a valid USCIS I-94 in a foreign passport instead.

Two Proofs of Nebraska Residence

You need two documents, from two different sources, showing your name and a physical Nebraska address. A P.O. box is not accepted. Acceptable documents include:⁴

A bank or financial institution statement dated within the last 90 days
Any correspondence, receipt, or invoice dated within the last 90 days
A federal, state, or local government document issued within the last 90 days
A valid life, health, auto, or homeowner’s insurance policy
A mortgage, lease, or rental agreement (a lease must include the landlord’s name and contact information)

The two documents must come from separate sources. Two statements from the same bank don’t count, but a bank statement paired with a utility bill works.

What It Costs

Nebraska state ID cards are free for U.S. citizens. There is no document fee and no security fee, regardless of validity period.¹

Non-U.S. citizens pay based on how long the card is valid:

One year or less: $10.00 ($5.00 document fee plus $5.00 security fee)
Five-year card: $29.00 ($24.00 document fee plus $5.00 security fee)
Replacement card: $16.00 ($11.00 document fee plus $5.00 security fee)

The DMV accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Discover online. In-office payment options vary by county; most accept cash and checks, and many accept cards.

Where to Apply

State ID cards are processed at driver licensing offices around Nebraska. In most counties, that is the County Treasurer’s office. Douglas and Sarpy counties use dedicated Driver License Service Centers.⁶ You can apply at any Nebraska driver licensing office, not just the one in your home county.

What Happens During Your Visit

Bring your documents and complete Form DMV 06-104, the Nebraska Driver Licensing Services Application. Staff review your paperwork, verify your identity documents, and run your Social Security number through the federal database. You have a digital photo taken and provide a digital signature, both of which print on the finished card.

When processing wraps up, you leave with a temporary paper receipt. It is valid as proof of identity for 30 days while your permanent card is produced.⁶ The physical card is mailed to the address you provided. Delivery usually takes about 14 business days. If 20 business days pass with no card, call Driver Licensing Services at 402-471-3861 to follow up.

How Long the Card Is Valid

A standard Nebraska state ID card expires on your birthday in the fifth year after it was issued.⁷ For applicants under 21, the card expires on the 21st birthday or on the birthday in the fifth year, whichever comes first. The expiration date is printed on the front of the card.

Every valid Nebraska ID already meets REAL ID standards, so the card you receive works for federal purposes such as boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building.⁸

Renewing or Replacing the Card

You can renew a Nebraska state ID online or in person at a driver licensing office.⁹ Online is faster when you qualify. If your name has changed, your address is different, or you need to present new identity documents, plan on an office visit with the same categories of documentation described above.

For a lost, stolen, or damaged card, you can order a replacement through the DMV’s online portal or at a local office. You get a 30-day temporary receipt while the new card is mailed. Replacements remain free for U.S. citizens; non-citizens pay $16.00.¹

Voter Registration, Organ Donor, and Veteran Designations

The application asks a few optional questions that are easy to miss. The DMV is required to give you the chance to register to vote as part of the application, and any registration or address update you make is transmitted electronically to your county election commissioner or clerk within ten days.¹⁰ Whether you register or decline is kept confidential.

You can also join the Donor Registry of Nebraska during the application. If you opt in, a heart symbol and the word “Donor” appear on the card. Applicants age 16 and 17 can request the symbol, though actual donation for a minor still requires parental consent.¹¹ A veteran designation can also appear on the front of the card, but only if you have registered with the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs first.³

1
Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles. State Identification Card (ID)
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Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles. Nebraskans Ready For Real ID
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Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska Revised Statutes 60-484 – State Identification Card; Application
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Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles. Document Verification Form
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Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles. Social Security Verification
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Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles. Replacement License, Permit and State ID Cards
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Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska Revised Statutes 60-490 – State Identification Cards; Expiration; Renewal
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Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID
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Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles. How Do I Renew My ID Card?
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Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska Revised Statutes 32-308 – Registration; Department of Motor Vehicles
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Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles. Additional Services