A West Virginia ID card is issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles to any state resident who needs government identification but doesn’t drive. You apply in person at a DMV regional office with proof of identity, your Social Security number, and two documents showing your West Virginia address. The standard card costs $5 for each year it’s valid, and the REAL ID version adds a one-time $10 surcharge.
Standard Card or REAL ID
West Virginia issues the card in two versions, and the choice matters before you walk in.
The REAL ID card carries a gold star in the upper corner and meets federal security standards set by the Department of Homeland Security. It’s accepted for boarding domestic flights, entering federal buildings, and accessing military installations.1West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. What is REAL ID? Federal enforcement of the REAL ID Act began on May 7, 2025, and travelers without a compliant ID may face additional screening at TSA checkpoints.2Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions A valid U.S. passport or passport card also satisfies the federal requirement, so if you already carry one you may not need to upgrade your state ID.
The standard card is marked “Not for Federal Use” and works for state-level purposes: verifying your identity at a bank, picking up a prescription, buying age-restricted products, or registering to vote.1West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. What is REAL ID? Switching from standard to REAL ID later requires another in-person visit with the same set of documents, so it’s usually easier to pick REAL ID the first time if there’s any chance you’ll fly.
Who Can Apply
Any West Virginia resident can apply for an ID card at any age, and there’s no requirement to hold or have ever held a driver’s license. You do need to establish legal presence in the United States and have a physical address within the state.
For residents under 16, West Virginia issues a Youth ID card valid for two years at a cost of $10.3WV Division of Motor Vehicles. Driver’s Licenses and ID Cards Any card issued to someone under 21 expires 30 days after the holder’s 21st birthday, at which point a new adult card is needed.
Documents You Need
The DMV asks for proof in three categories: identity, Social Security number, and West Virginia residency. Showing up short on any category is the most common reason applicants have to make a second trip.
Proof of Identity
Bring one of the following:
- A certified U.S. birth certificate. It must be an original or a certified copy issued by a state vital records office. Hospital birth certificates and Bureau of Census records are not accepted.
- A valid, unexpired U.S. passport or official U.S. passport card.
Other documents such as a Certificate of Naturalization or a permanent resident card may also qualify. The DMV maintains a full list of acceptable documents.4West Virginia Department of Transportation. Acceptable Proof Documents
Social Security Number
You need to provide a valid Social Security number, but you don’t have to bring the card itself. The DMV verifies the number electronically through the Social Security Administration.5West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. West Virginia Driver’s Licenses and Identification Cards Bringing the card or a W-2 that shows your full SSN can help resolve any verification hiccup at the counter.4West Virginia Department of Transportation. Acceptable Proof Documents
Two Proofs of West Virginia Residency
You need two separate documents showing your current West Virginia address. Acceptable options include utility bills, bank statements, a valid WV vehicle registration, a WV voter registration card, mortgage documents, or a W-2 no more than 18 months old. Any recurring document like a utility bill or bank statement cannot be more than 60 days old.4West Virginia Department of Transportation. Acceptable Proof Documents The same W-2 can satisfy both the Social Security and residency requirements as long as it meets the age limit.5West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. West Virginia Driver’s Licenses and Identification Cards
Applying in Person
Every first-time ID application requires an in-person visit to a DMV regional office. You’ll complete Form DMV-DS-23P, the application for a driver’s license or identification card, which asks for your full legal name, physical address, height, weight, and eye color.6West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. DMV-DS-23P Application for a Driver’s License or Photo ID Card The form can be downloaded from the West Virginia Department of Transportation website, and filling it out ahead of time saves counter time.
A DMV representative reviews the application and documents, collects the fee, and takes your photo. You leave with a temporary card valid for 60 days. Your permanent card is manufactured at a secure central facility and arrives by mail within 10 to 15 business days.3WV Division of Motor Vehicles. Driver’s Licenses and ID Cards
What It Costs
West Virginia charges $5 per year of validity for an ID card. The expiration date lands on your birthday in the next year your age is evenly divisible by five, and your total depends on how many years that covers.7West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. License and Renewal Fees If you’re 22 when you apply, the card expires on your 25th birthday, giving you a three-year card at $15.
- Standard ID card: $5 per year of validity.
- REAL ID surcharge: an additional $10 on top of the standard fee.3WV Division of Motor Vehicles. Driver’s Licenses and ID Cards
- Youth ID for applicants under 16: $10 for a two-year card.3WV Division of Motor Vehicles. Driver’s Licenses and ID Cards
If you don’t already have a certified birth certificate, ordering one from a state vital records office typically runs $10 to $15. For an applicant starting from scratch, that’s a real line item to budget for.
Renewing, Replacing, and Updating
West Virginia ID cards expire on the holder’s birthday, and eligible residents can renew online through the DMV’s self-service portal.8West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. License Renewal Online renewal works only if your name and address haven’t changed and you don’t need a new photo. Self-service kiosks at some regional offices are another option that skips the full counter visit.3WV Division of Motor Vehicles. Driver’s Licenses and ID Cards Whichever route you take, the new physical card is mailed. Renew early enough that the card arrives before the old one expires.
A lost, stolen, or damaged card can be replaced through the DMV’s online self-service portal without visiting an office, provided your name, address, and photo stay the same.9West Virginia Department of Transportation. Get Duplicate Driver’s License Card or State ID The replacement carries the same expiration date as the original, and the fee follows the same per-year rate.
Name, address, and photo changes all require an in-person visit with supporting documentation.9West Virginia Department of Transportation. Get Duplicate Driver’s License Card or State ID For a name change, bring your court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree, and make sure the Social Security Administration already shows the new name before you go. State law requires you to notify the DMV within 20 days of any address change.6West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. DMV-DS-23P Application for a Driver’s License or Photo ID Card
A Free Alternative if You Only Need to Vote
If your only reason for needing photo identification is voting, registered voters can get a photo voter ID card at no charge by applying in person at their county clerk’s office.10WV Secretary of State. Be Registered and Ready The voter ID is accepted at the polls, but it is not a general-purpose state ID and will not work for air travel, banking, or age verification. For anything beyond voting, you’ll still need the DMV-issued card.