Indiana ID Card: How to Apply, Renew, or Replace

An Indiana state ID card is issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to any resident who does not hold an Indiana driver’s license. You apply in person at a BMV branch with proof of identity and lawful status, your Social Security number, and two documents showing your Indiana address. The fee is $9.00, and it’s free if you’re an eligible voter without acceptable photo ID. Cards are valid for six years from your birthday.1Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code Title 9 Article 24 Chapter 16 Section 9-24-16-5 – Renewal; Expiration of Renewed Identification Card of Individuals With Lawful Status

Who Qualifies

Any Indiana resident can apply, at any age, as long as they don’t currently hold a valid Indiana driver’s license.2Indiana State Government. Identification Cards You can’t carry both a license and a state ID; if you have a license and want an ID instead, you’d surrender the license first. Applicants under 18 need a parent or legal guardian’s signature. Every applicant must demonstrate lawful presence in the United States.

Documents to Bring

Indiana follows federal Real ID standards for documentation. The BMV’s online Real ID Checklist tool generates a personalized list based on your situation, and running it before you go will save you a wasted trip.3Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Real ID Overview You’ll need originals or certified copies from three groups:

  • One document proving identity and lawful status. For U.S. citizens, a certified U.S. birth certificate or unexpired U.S. passport typically covers both. Non-citizens bring immigration documents such as a permanent resident card or employment authorization document.4Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Real ID Documentation Checklist
  • One document showing your full Social Security number, such as your Social Security card, a W-2, or an SSA-1099.4Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Real ID Documentation Checklist
  • Two documents showing your name and current Indiana residential street address, dated within 60 days of your application. Utility bills, bank statements, and pre-printed pay stubs all work. A P.O. box won’t.4Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Real ID Documentation Checklist

If You Don’t Have Standard Residency Documents

Not everyone has two recent utility bills, and the BMV plans for that. In place of the standard residency documents, you can submit an Indiana Residency Affidavit (State Form 50879). The signer depends on your situation:3Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Real ID Overview

  • Applicants under 18: another person signs at the branch and provides their own valid Indiana credential plus identity and residency documents.
  • Adults living with someone else: the person you live with signs at the branch and provides their own proof of identity and residency.
  • Incapacitated applicants: a legal guardian or caregiver at least 18 who lives with you signs at the branch.
  • Homeless applicants: bring a letter on official letterhead from a government entity or nonprofit confirming they serve you and will accept mail on your behalf.
  • Residents of group facilities: a legal representative of the facility signs and provides a letter on the facility’s letterhead.

This path is underused. People sometimes assume they can’t get an ID without traditional proof of address, but the affidavit exists for exactly those situations.

Applying at a BMV Branch

Every branch accepts walk-ins, so no appointment is required. Scheduling one through the BMV’s online system can cut your wait significantly at busier locations.5Indiana BMV. Indiana BMV Branch Appointment Scheduling A clerk scans your documents, takes your digital signature and photo, and prints a temporary paper ID for immediate use. The plastic card arrives by mail in about 14 days.6Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Receiving Your Driver’s License or ID Card Through the Mail

Fees and the Free Voter ID

The fee is $9.00 for a first card, a renewal, or a replacement.7Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code Title 9 Article 24 Chapter 16 Section 9-24-16-10 – Adoption of Rules; Fees If you’re at least 18, a U.S. citizen, and eligible to vote, Indiana will issue you a state ID at no cost.2Indiana State Government. Identification Cards The waiver stems from Indiana’s voter photo ID law, which requires photo identification at the polls.8Indiana Secretary of State. Obtaining a Photo ID You still bring the same documentation; the fee is waived at the counter.

Renewing Your Card

Indiana ID cards expire six years from your birthday, and you can renew up to 24 months before the expiration date.1Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code Title 9 Article 24 Chapter 16 Section 9-24-16-5 – Renewal; Expiration of Renewed Identification Card of Individuals With Lawful Status Online renewal through the myBMV portal is the fastest route, but you only qualify if all of the following are true:9Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Renewing a Driver’s License, Learner’s Permit, or Identification Card

  • You are a U.S. citizen and Indiana resident.
  • Your name, address, and other personal information haven’t changed.
  • Your card hasn’t been expired for more than 180 days.
  • Your previous photo is on file with the BMV.

BMV Connect kiosks handle renewals under the same eligibility rules.10Bureau of Motor Vehicles. BMV Connect Kiosks Name changes, address updates, and Real ID upgrades all require an in-person visit with supporting documents.

Replacing a Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Card

A replacement is $9.00 and carries the same expiration date as the original.2Indiana State Government. Identification Cards If none of your personal information has changed, you can order the replacement online. Otherwise, visit a branch. The BMV already has your documents on file, so the process is quicker than the first application.

Real ID and Your State ID

Since May 7, 2025, a Real ID-compliant credential has been required to board domestic commercial flights and enter certain federal facilities such as military bases.11Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID Look for a gold star in the upper-right corner of your card. No star means it isn’t Real ID-compliant and won’t get you through a TSA checkpoint.

Upgrading requires an in-person branch visit with the full set of identity, lawful status, Social Security, and residency documents.3Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Real ID Overview You can’t upgrade online or at a kiosk. If you have a valid U.S. passport, you can use it at airport security in place of a Real ID. For most people who don’t travel internationally, upgrading the state ID is the more practical move. The fee is the same $9.00.