Identification Cards in New Jersey

New Jersey Identification Cards

If you do not have a driver's license, a New Jersey identification card can be used to prove your age and identity.

You can use a NJ identification card for things such as opening a bank account, voting, and traveling.

NJ ID Card Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a NJ ID, you must be:

  • A New Jersey resident.
  • 14 years old or older.

Note: You can register to be an organ donor when you apply for a NJ ID.

You cannot have an identification card and driver license at the same time. If you have a driver's license, you must surrender it to the NJ MVC when you apply for a NJ identification card.

Apply for a NJ ID Card

A New Jersey ID card are valid for 4 years and cost $24. You can apply for one in person – you cannot apply online or by mail.

To apply for an ID Card, visit your local NJ MVC office and:

  • Provide proof of your identity and address. See the “Proving Your Identity and Address" section below.
  • Complete the front of the Non-Driver ID Application (form BA-208). Get the application form either:
    • In person at a NJ MVC office.
    • If you are disabled you may request an application be mailed to you by calling (609) 292-6500 or (609) 292-6500 (toll-free).
  • Have your photo taken.
  • Pay the $24 application fee with American Express, MasterCard, VISA, check, money order, or cash.

Proving Your Identity and Address

To prove your identity and address, you must provide documents totaling 6 points according to the NJ MVC's ID verification program.

To reach 6 points, you must have at least:

  • 1 document showing primary ID, such as your:
  • 1 document showing secondary ID, such as your:
    • U.S. school photo ID and transcripts.
    • Current military dependent card.
    • Bank statement.
  • Your Social Security number.
  • Proof of your address, such as:
    • Utility bills issued in the past 90 days.
    • Bank statements issued within the past 60 days.
    • High school or college transcripts issued within the past 2 years.
      • Note: P.O. Boxes cannot be used as proof of address.

There are exceptions to what documents you can use to prove your identity (for example, if you are a non-U.S. citizen). See the “Exceptions to Proof of Identity Documents" section below for more information.

All documents must be:

  • In English.
  • Original or certified copies.

For more details, please see the complete list of proof of identity requirements, or use the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission's online document selector tool.

Exceptions to Proof of Identity Documents

Puerto Rican Birth Certificates

The New Jersey MVC does not accept Puerto Rican birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010.

You can obtain a newer and more secure birth certificate from the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, which will be accepted by the NJ MVC.

Jersey City/Hudson County Birth Certificates

If you were born in Hudson County before 1965 and would like to use your birth certificate as a primary ID, you can either:

Non-U.S. Citizens

If you are not a U.S. citizen, the identification verification still applies to you, but you can also use one of the following as a primary ID:

  • Foreign passport with INS or USCIS verification.
  • Current alien registration card.
  • U.S. re-entry permit.

NJ Disability ID

If you have a disability, you may be eligible for a NJ disability ID at a discounted fee of $6.

Follow the application process above and ask your physician to fill out the certification area on your application.

Military and Out-of-State Students

If you are a New Jersey resident and want to apply for an original ID, but you are out of state due to military or college/university obligations, you must wait until you are back in NJ to apply in person at a NJ MVC. You cannot apply online or by mail.

You may renew an expired NJ ID card by mail from out of state (see below).

If you have any questions, call the NJ MVC at (609) 292-6500 or (609) 292-6500 (toll-free), or visit a NJ MVC office in person.

Renew Your New Jersey Identification Card

You can renew your NJ ID card in person or by mail, but not online.

In-Person Renewal

To renew your ID card in person, visit your local MVC office and bring:

  • Proof of your identity and address. (See the “Apply for a NJ ID Card" section above for required documents.)
  • Payment for the renewal fee with American Express, MasterCard, VISA, check, money order or cash.

Mail-In Renewal

If you are eligible to renew your NJ ID card by mail, the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission will send you a Skip the Trip notice and mail-in renewal instructions before your ID expires.

If you receive a Skip the Trip renewal notice:

  • Complete the renewal application.
  • Write a check or money order for the fee
  • Mail your application and payment back to the New Jersey MVC using the envelope provided.

The NJ MVC will use your existing photo and signature on file. You do not need to provide proof of your identity.

You will receive your renewed NJ ID card in the mail once the NJ MVC has processed your application and payment.

Replace Your NJ Identification Card

If your NJ ID card becomes lost, stolen, or damaged, you should contact the police to prevent the risk of identity theft.

Your New Jersey ID card can be replaced in person for $11. You cannot replace your NJ ID card online or by mail.

To get a replacement NJ ID, visit your local NJ MVC office and:

  • Bring proof of your identity and address. (See the “Apply for a NJ ID Card" section above for required documents.)
  • Complete an Non-Driver ID Application (form BA-208), which you can get at the NJ MVC office.
  • Pay the $11 replacement fee.

Address or Name Change on a NJ ID

Change Your Address

If you change your address in New Jersey, you must notify the New Jersey MVC within 1 week of the change.

To report a change of address, complete the NJ MVC's online address change form by providing your:

  • Zip code.
  • NJ ID card number.
  • Full Social Security number.
  • New address.

Completing the online address change form will only change your address on NJ MVC records. You will not be automatically issued a replacement NJ ID card.

If you want a new NJ ID card showing your new address, you must apply for a replacement New Jersey ID card. See the “Replace Your NJ Identification Card" section above for more information.

Note: You can also change your address when renewing your NJ ID card using the Skip the Trip renewal form. Your new address will appear on your renewed card.

Change Your Name

If your name has changed, you must visit your local MVC office in person and bring:

  • Your legal name change document, such as:
  • Proof of your identity and address. (See the “Apply for a NJ ID Card" section above for required documents.)
  • Payment for the $11 replacement fee, if you want a replacement NJ ID card with your new name.

Voting With Your New Jersey ID

When you apply for a New Jersey identification card, you can also register to vote at the same time with the NJ MVC.

When voting in an election in New Jersey, you don't need to show photo identification unless you either:

  • Didn't provide ID information when you registered to vote.
  • Are first-time registrant by mail.

You can use your NJ identification card to verify your identity in these cases.

For more information about voting in New Jersey, visit our Voter Registration in New Jersey page.

Forms

BA-208
Non-Driver ID Application
Application for a non-driver New Jersey identification card. Only available at MVC offices. Not available online.
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