To get an Illinois state ID, a minor needs documents from four groups (signature, date of birth, Social Security number, and Illinois residency), a parent or legal guardian along for the visit if they’re under 16, and $10 for the fee. The application happens in person at a Secretary of State Driver Services facility, and the card is mailed to the address on file after a temporary paper ID is issued at the counter.
There is no minimum age. A child of any age can be issued an Illinois state identification card as long as the paperwork is in order.
The Four Documents to Bring
Every first-time applicant has to produce at least one qualifying document from each of four groups. All of them must be originals or certified copies from a government agency. Photocopies and notarized copies are turned away.1Illinois Secretary of State. Document Requirements to Obtain a Drivers License or State ID Card
Written Signature
Something that shows the minor’s full legal name with their signature. A U.S. passport works. So does a signed school ID or another government-issued document carrying the name and signature. If the child’s name has changed since birth, through adoption for example, bring the legal document that reflects the change.
Date of Birth
A certified birth certificate from a government vital records office is the usual choice. A U.S. passport or adoption records also qualify. The decorative hospital-issued birth certificates that families often keep as keepsakes do not count.
Social Security Number
Bring the child’s Social Security card. A W-2 or SSA-1099 showing the full number also works. If the card is lost, request a replacement from the Social Security Administration first; you’ll need to prove the child’s citizenship, identity, and your relationship to them.2Social Security Administration. Social Security Numbers for Children If the minor isn’t eligible for a Social Security number, the parent signs a declaration at the facility in place of the document.
Proof of Illinois Residency
Residency paperwork has to show the applicant’s full name and current Illinois address. Utility bills, bank statements, lease agreements, and certified school transcripts all qualify. Utility bills and financial statements have to be dated within 90 days of the application.
Most children don’t have a lease or a utility bill in their own name. In that case, the parent or guardian can bring their own qualifying residency document along with a letter confirming the minor lives at the same address. This is one of the main reasons to go together even when the applicant is old enough to walk in alone.
When a Parent or Guardian Has to Come Along
Minors under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at the facility. The adult should bring a valid government-issued photo ID so staff can verify the relationship. A legal guardian who isn’t a birth parent should also bring the court order or other document establishing guardianship.
Applicants who are 16 or 17 can visit on their own. Even then, bringing a parent usually makes the residency step easier, since the household address will typically be documented in the parent’s name.
REAL ID or Standard: Which to Pick for a Child
Since May 7, 2025, a standard Illinois state ID without the small gold star in the upper-right corner no longer gets anyone through a TSA checkpoint for a domestic flight or into certain federal buildings.3Transportation Security Administration. TSA Begins REAL ID Full Enforcement on May 7 A REAL ID, a U.S. passport, or another federally accepted document is now required.
For a child under 18, this matters less than it sounds. TSA does not require identification from passengers under 18 on domestic flights, so a minor can still fly without a REAL ID.4Transportation Security Administration. Do Minors Need Identification to Fly Within the U.S.? The reason to pick a REAL ID anyway is timing: it costs the same, uses the same four document groups, and will already be compliant on the day the child turns 18 and the exemption disappears.
The practical difference at the counter is that a REAL ID requires originals or certified copies of every document, while a standard card accepts a slightly wider range. Since families are already gathering the originals for either card, the REAL ID is usually the simpler long-term choice.
Scheduling, Fees, and the Card Itself
Book an appointment at a Secretary of State Driver Services facility through the Secretary of State’s website before heading in.5Illinois Secretary of State. Schedule a DMV Appointment Some facilities take walk-ins, but wait times are unpredictable and an appointment guarantees you’ll be seen.
At the counter, you’ll complete an application with the child’s full legal name, date of birth, and address. Staff review the four document groups and check that the name and address match across all of them. Even small mismatches cause problems, so compare the documents at home first. A middle name that appears on a birth certificate but not on a Social Security card is the kind of discrepancy that leads to a second trip.
The fee is $10, the same for a standard card or a REAL ID.6Illinois Secretary of State. Fees Once the application is approved, the facility hands over a temporary paper ID. The permanent card is mailed to the address on file. If more than 15 business days pass without the card arriving, you can check the mailing status online.7Illinois Secretary of State. Driver’s License/State ID Card Mailing Status
Cards issued to anyone under 21 are printed in a vertical layout, which makes it easy for stores and venues to see at a glance that the holder is underage.
Renewing or Replacing a Minor’s ID
Renewing a minor’s state ID has to be done in person at a Secretary of State facility, with updated documents from the same four groups. Online renewal isn’t available for minors. Plan to renew well before the card expires, because a child’s appearance changes quickly and the photo needs to still be useful.
If the card is lost or stolen, you can apply for a duplicate at any facility. The replacement fee is $20.6Illinois Secretary of State. Fees One exception is worth knowing: if the card was stolen and you file a police report, the replacement is free. Bring the police report with you when you apply.8Illinois Secretary of State. Duplicate Drivers License or ID Card