How to Get or Renew Your Indiana State ID Online

You can renew or replace an Indiana state ID online through the myBMV portal in about ten minutes for $9, but you cannot get a first-time Indiana state ID online. If you’ve never held an Indiana credential, your first card requires a branch visit with original documents. If you already have an Indiana ID (or one that expired within the last 180 days) and nothing about your information has changed, the online process is straightforward.¹

Who Can Use myBMV for a State ID

The online portal is only open to people who already have an Indiana credential on file. To renew or replace through myBMV, all of the following must be true:

You’re a U.S. citizen and Indiana resident.
Your name, residential address, and other personal details are identical to what the BMV has on file.
Your current ID is not expired by more than 180 days.
You’re within 24 months of your renewal date.
The BMV already has a previous photo of you in the system.
Your record does not carry restrictions 3, 7, or 9.

If any one of those fails, myBMV will stop you and route you to a branch.¹

When You Have to Go to a Branch Instead

A few common situations knock you out of online eligibility. Plan for an in-person visit if any of these apply:

You changed your name through marriage, divorce, or court order. Bring the marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
You moved. A new address means presenting two proofs of Indiana residency at a branch.
You’ve never held an Indiana credential before.
You’re not a U.S. citizen. Foreign nationals must visit a branch at every renewal and present identity, lawful status, Social Security, and residency documents.
Your ID has been expired more than 180 days. You’ll owe an administrative penalty fee and complete additional steps at the branch.
You want to upgrade an older, non-compliant card to a REAL ID.

Any transaction that requires the BMV to verify a new document or capture a new photo has to happen in person.

How the Online Renewal or Replacement Works

Log in to myBMV (or create an account linked to your existing BMV record) and select the option to renew or replace your identification card. You’ll enter your full name, date of birth, residential address, and Social Security number so the system can verify you.

The next screens ask you to confirm the physical descriptors on your record: height, weight, eye color, hair color. You’ll check boxes confirming nothing has changed since your last issuance. If everything matches, you move to payment. Have a credit or debit card ready.

After payment, save or print the digital confirmation receipt. That’s your proof of the transaction while you wait for the card to arrive.

What It Costs

A standard Indiana state ID card is $9, whether you’re renewing, replacing a lost card, or amending an existing one. The $9 fee is the same online and in person.²³

If you need the card quickly, Express Credential Service adds $25 to the standard fee. The BMV prioritizes printing and ships the card by FedEx, arriving the next business day after it’s printed instead of going through regular mail.⁴

Indiana also provides a free state ID to residents who need photo identification solely for voting. The card itself has no charge, but you still have to visit a branch with the standard documentation.⁵

When the Card Arrives and What to Use in the Meantime

Your permanent card arrives at your mailing address within 14 days of the online transaction, assuming no issues with your application.⁶

When you renew without changing any information, you keep your current card during the wait. The BMV generally does not issue an interim identification card to ID holders unless the application falls within 30 days of an election, and in that case the interim is accepted for voting purposes only. The BMV advises carrying an additional form of identification during the waiting period because individual businesses and agencies decide for themselves whether to accept interim documents. An interim will not get you through airport security.

Using a BMV Connect Kiosk Instead

If you qualify to renew or replace online but prefer not to use your own computer, BMV Connect self-service kiosks handle the same transactions under the same eligibility rules. Kiosks are available 24/7 at locations around Indiana, including some grocery stores and government buildings.⁷

Getting Your First Indiana State ID in Person

If this is your first Indiana ID, you have to go to a branch. As of May 7, 2025, all new Indiana credentials must be REAL ID compliant, so the documentation requirements apply to every first-time applicant.

Bring originals from each of the following categories:

Proof of identity (one document): a U.S. birth certificate (original or certified copy), unexpired U.S. passport, certificate of naturalization, or consular report of birth abroad.
Proof of Social Security number (one document): your Social Security card, a W-2, an SSA-1099, a non-SSA-1099, or a pay stub showing your full Social Security number.
Proof of Indiana residency (two documents): utility bills, bank statements, or pay stubs dated within 60 days; a lease or mortgage contract; a voter registration card; property or excise tax bills; or valid insurance policies dated within one year. Two separate documents are required.

If your current legal name differs from the name on your identity document, also bring legal proof of the change such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.⁸

At the branch, staff take your photo, collect your documents, and process the application. Your permanent card arrives by mail within 14 days.

How Long an Indiana State ID Lasts

A standard Indiana identification card is valid for six years from your birthday. The renewal window opens 24 months before expiration, so there’s a long runway to handle the renewal online before the card lapses.⁹

Does Renewing Online Keep Your REAL ID Status?

Yes. If your current Indiana ID has a gold star in the upper corner, it’s already REAL ID compliant, and renewing through myBMV preserves that status. U.S. citizens renewing a REAL ID-compliant card do not need to re-submit identity documents at each renewal.¹

If your current card doesn’t have the gold star and you want to upgrade to REAL ID, that upgrade cannot be done online. You’ll need to visit a branch with the full set of identity, Social Security, and residency documents.¹⁰

1
Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Renewing a Driver’s License, Learner’s Permit, or Identification Card
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Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Identification Cards
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Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Fee Chart
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Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Express Credential Service
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Indiana Secretary of State. Obtaining a Photo ID
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Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Receiving Your Driver’s License or ID Card Through the Mail
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Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. BMV Connect Kiosks
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Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Real ID Documentation Checklist
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Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code Title 9, Article 24, Chapter 16, Section 9-24-16-5 – Renewal; Expiration
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Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Real ID Overview