Maryland Identification Card: Requirements, Cost, and How to Apply

A Maryland identification card is a state-issued photo ID for residents who do not hold a Maryland driver’s license. You apply in person at an MDOT MVA branch, bring documents proving identity, lawful status, Social Security number, and two proofs of Maryland address, and pay a $40 fee unless you qualify for a waiver. The card meets federal REAL ID standards, lasts up to eight years for adults, and arrives by mail within seven to ten business days.¹

Who Can Get One

Any Maryland resident who does not already hold a Maryland driver’s license can apply. You must prove your age and identity, show lawful status in the United States, and provide a Social Security number or an SSA letter of ineligibility.²

There is no minimum age. Infants qualify if a parent or guardian applies for them. You cannot hold both a valid Maryland driver’s license and an ID card at the same time: if you have a license, surrender it before applying; if you later get a license, turn in the ID card.²

Documents to Bring

Originals or certified copies only. The MVA groups requirements into four categories, and you have to satisfy all four at the counter or the visit doesn’t finish.

Identity and Lawful Presence

A U.S. birth certificate (original or certified copy) or a valid U.S. passport works for both requirements at once for U.S. citizens. The card meets the federal REAL ID standard, which is why proof of lawful presence is part of the checklist.¹

Social Security Number

Acceptable documents include your Social Security card, a current W-2, a current SSA-1099 or non-SSA-1099, or a current pay stub showing your full Social Security number.² If you are not eligible for a Social Security number, bring a letter of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration. You get one by visiting a local SSA office; if you qualify, the letter is issued on the spot.

Two Proofs of Maryland Residency

You need two separate documents showing your name and current Maryland address. The address on both must match the address on your application.³ Options include:

Utility, phone, or cable bills
Bank or financial institution statements
A residential lease agreement
An insurance card or policy
A property tax bill or receipt
A Maryland vehicle registration card or title
A mortgage account statement or deed

Applying at the MVA

Applications are handled in person at an MDOT MVA branch office. Appointments are recommended and can be scheduled through the MVA’s online portal; walk-ins are accepted but usually wait much longer.⁴

Staff review your documents and application, take your photo, and capture a digital signature. Once you pay the fee, you leave with a temporary paper receipt that works as interim identification. The permanent card arrives by mail within seven to ten business days, and the envelope cannot be forwarded, so confirm your mailing address is current before you apply.¹

What It Costs

As of September 2025, a new or renewed Maryland ID card is $40. The fee may be prorated based on the card’s validity period. A duplicate or corrected card is $30.⁵

Several groups pay nothing. There is no fee if you are 65 or older, and no fee if you have a disability that limits a major life activity.⁵ If you were released from a correctional facility within the past 60 days and present your Division of Correction identification card along with your Social Security card, the card is free.⁶ A reduced fee of $1 may apply for people experiencing homelessness.

Cards for Children and Teens

A parent or legal guardian has to be present at the MVA to sign for any applicant under 18. Instead of the full adult documentation package, the MVA accepts proof of the parent-child relationship: a birth certificate listing the parents’ names, adoption papers, guardianship documents, certified school records, or medical records. Cards issued to minors are valid for up to five years, and the $40 fee may be prorated to reflect that shorter period.⁵

How Long It Lasts and How to Renew

An adult card (18 or older) is valid for up to eight years. Minor cards last up to five years. If your lawful status has a limited duration, the card may expire sooner to match.⁵

When your renewal notice arrives, check whether it says you are eligible for online renewal. If so, you can renew through the myMVA portal or at a self-service kiosk in any branch office. Otherwise, plan a branch visit. If your card has been expired for a year or more, you have to start over as a new applicant with the full document set.⁷

One trap worth flagging: the MVA can refuse to renew your ID card if you have unpaid state taxes or unpaid unemployment insurance contributions.⁷

Lost, Damaged, or Moved

If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, request a duplicate through the MVA. The replacement fee is $30, and the same waivers for seniors and people with disabilities apply.⁵ The replacement arrives by mail in seven to ten business days, and you get a temporary receipt to carry until it does.

Maryland law requires you to notify the MVA within 30 days of any change to your residential address. The fastest way is the myMVA online portal. Renewal notices, replacement cards, and new cards all go to the address on file, and MVA mail cannot be forwarded.

Using It for Flights and Federal Buildings

Maryland ID cards meet the federal REAL ID standard, so yours is compliant for domestic flights and access to secured federal buildings. Look for the star marking in the upper portion of the card to confirm.¹ REAL ID enforcement at airport security checkpoints began on May 7, 2025.⁸ Children under 18 do not need identification to fly domestically.

Voter Registration and Organ Donor Choice

Under the National Voter Registration Act, the Maryland MVA has to offer voter registration to anyone applying for or renewing an ID card, so you can register or update your registration during the same visit.⁹

The MVA also asks whether you want to register as an organ and tissue donor. If you check “yes,” that designation carries legal weight. It serves as sufficient authority for organ removal upon your death and can only be revoked by sending written notice to the MVA. Treat it as a binding decision rather than a casual preference, and talk it through with your family.

1
MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration. Identification (ID) Card
2
Maryland General Assembly. Maryland Transportation Code Section 12-301 – Identification Cards
3
Cornell Law Institute. Maryland Code of Regulations 11.17.09.04 – Source Documents for Proof of Age, Name, Identity, Residence, Social Security Number, and Lawful Status or Temporary Lawful Status
4
MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration. Appointments and Online Services
5
MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration. License and ID Fees
6
New York Codes, Rules and Regulations. Maryland Code Transportation 12-301.1 – Issuance of Identification Cards at No Cost for Holders of Identification Cards Issued by the Division of Correction
7
MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration. Renew a License or ID
8
Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID
9
Department of Justice. The National Voter Registration Act Of 1993