To get a Rhode Island Kids Card, a parent or guardian takes the child to a DMV branch by reservation with a completed LI-1 application, proof of the child’s identity, their Social Security number, two residency documents, and $28.50 in a form other than a personal check. The card is a state identification card issued to any Rhode Island resident under 18 who doesn’t hold a driver’s license or learner’s permit, and it arrives by mail several weeks after the appointment.
Who Qualifies
Any Rhode Island resident under 18 can apply, as long as the child does not already hold a current license or permit from Rhode Island or any other state. State law bars the DMV from issuing an ID to anyone who holds a license or permit, so the card is meant for people who need government photo identification but aren’t driving yet.1Rhode Island General Assembly. Rhode Island Code 31-10.4-2.1 – Issuance of State Identification Cards to Individuals Unable to Establish Legal Presence
Because the applicant is a minor, a parent, legal guardian, licensed foster parent, or another responsible adult must sign the application and certify responsibility for the child.2Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. Application for License, Identification Card and Permit LI-1 The child needs to be there in person too, since the photo is taken on-site.
What to Bring
The DMV sorts documents into three groups. If any one group is missing, you’ll be sent home to book a new reservation.
Proof of Identity
One document showing the child’s full legal name and date of birth. A certified birth certificate from the state where the child was born or a valid U.S. passport will satisfy either a standard ID or a Real ID application.3Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. Real ID License and ID Card – Proof of Identity and Residency Documents
Social Security Number
You need the child’s Social Security number entered on the form. The physical card isn’t strictly required, but the number has to be accurate. If the child has no SSN, bring a letter from the Social Security Administration confirming ineligibility. An ITIN is not accepted in place of an SSN.4Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. State ID
Two Residency Documents
Kids rarely have utility bills or leases in their own names, so the DMV allows minors to use standard adult residency documents in a parent’s or immediate family member’s name, plus two options built for minor applicants:5Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. Rhode Island DMV Document Checklist
- A school record from the current year — report card, transcript, diploma, or school ID — showing the student’s address. In summer, a record from the previous year is accepted.
- The Rhode Island license or state ID of the parent or guardian signing the application.
For most families the simplest pairing is the signing parent’s Rhode Island license plus a current school record. That satisfies both residency slots without hunting down utility bills or tax statements.
The LI-1 Form and a Notarization Catch
The application is form LI-1, “Application for License, Identification Card and Permit,” available on the DMV’s forms page. Fill it out before the appointment to save time at the counter.6Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. License Forms It asks for the child’s full legal name, physical description, and Social Security number.
Section E is where the parent or guardian certifies responsibility. If the adult who needs to sign cannot come to the DMV, their signature on the form must be notarized in advance. An unnotarized signature from an absent parent will not be accepted.2Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. Application for License, Identification Card and Permit LI-1
Cost and Payment
A state identification card costs $28.50, with no reduced rate for minors. Residents age 59 and older are the only group exempt from the fee.7Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. ID Fees
Personal checks are not accepted for state ID transactions. Bring a credit card, debit card, or money order.7Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. ID Fees
Booking the Appointment
Rhode Island DMV branches run by reservation only. There are no walk-ins.8Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles Locations and Hours Reservations are booked at ridmvreservations.ri.gov. Branch hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., which means pulling the child out of school for part of the day unless you snag an early morning slot.
At the counter, staff review the documents, confirm the LI-1 is complete, and take the child’s photo. If anything is missing, you’ll need to rebook.
When the Card Arrives
You won’t leave with the finished card. Rhode Island prints its IDs at a central facility and mails them to the address on the application. The DMV describes the wait as “several weeks,” and the online renewal portal notes processing can take up to 60 days.9Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. REAL ID There’s no expedited option, so if the child needs the card by a specific date, apply with that mailing window in mind.
Real ID or Standard — Does It Matter for a Child?
Rhode Island issues two versions of the state ID: a Real ID, marked with a star in the upper corner, and a standard card without one. Since May 7, 2025, adults need the star-marked version to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities.10Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions Children under 18 don’t need any ID to fly domestically with an adult, so the distinction has less immediate weight for a kid.11Transportation Security Administration. Do Minors Need Identification to Fly Within the U.S.
The practical argument for choosing the Real ID anyway is that the child will eventually turn 18, and already holding a compliant card avoids another DMV visit later. The Real ID version has slightly stricter document rules, but a birth certificate or passport works for either.
What the Card Covers and What It Doesn’t
A Rhode Island Kids Card works for everyday identification: opening a bank account, registering for programs, or proving age and identity where a school ID isn’t enough.
For domestic flights, children under 18 don’t need to show ID at TSA checkpoints when traveling with an adult who has acceptable ID.11Transportation Security Administration. Do Minors Need Identification to Fly Within the U.S. A child flying alone with TSA PreCheck does need acceptable ID to receive PreCheck screening.
For land or sea crossings returning from Canada or Mexico, children age 15 and under can enter the U.S. with an original or copy of their birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a naturalization certificate. Children ages 16 to 18 traveling with an adult-supervised group such as a school trip or sports team qualify for the same documents. Outside those cases, a passport or passport card is the safe choice; a state ID card alone will not satisfy Customs and Border Protection at an international crossing.12U.S. Customs and Border Protection. U.S. Citizens – Documents Needed to Enter the United States and/or to Travel Internationally