Identification Cards in Virginia

ID Cards in Virginia

In Virginia, you can use an identification card as an alternate form of photo identification if you don't have a driver's license or learner's permit. You can use your VA ID card for a number of things, including voting, opening a bank account, and proving your age.

VA ID Card Eligibility Requirements

You can apply for a VA ID card at any age, but you must be a resident of Virginia. You cannot have both a U.S. driver's license or learner's permit at the same time as a Virginia ID card. You must surrender any current U.S. driver's license or learner's permit when you apply for a VA ID card.

Virginia ID cards are valid for a maximum of 8 years .

If you are a non-U.S. citizen, authorized to be in the U.S. temporarily, your ID card will only be valid for the amount of time you are legally allowed to stay in the country. If your legal presence document does not have an expiration date, your VA ID card will expire after 1 year.

How to Get a Virginia ID Card

If you do not have a current Virginia driver's license and it is your first time applying for a VA ID card, you must visit a Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office in person. You cannot apply for a VA ID card online or by mail.

Your VA ID card will be mailed to you within 15 days of your application. The VA DMV does not issue ID cards over the counter in order to reduce the risk of fraud.

Adult ID Card

If you are 15 years old or older, you will need to apply for an adult VA ID card. You will need:

• A completed Driver's License and Identification Card Application (Form DL 1P).
• Proof of your:
  • Identity (1 document).
  • Social Security number (1 document).
  • Legal presence (1 document).
  • Virginia residency (2 documents).
    • Document must show your name and street address. Post office box addresses are not accepted. Applicants who are under 19 years old can use their parents or legal guardian's residency documents.
• Valid payment. See the “VA Identification Card Fees" section below for information on fees and payment options.

A full list of accepted application documents can be found online, including those for REAL IDs. The VA DMV may require additional documents before issuing your ID card.

Your documents must be originals. The VA DMV will not accept temporary or photocopied documents.

When you apply for a VA ID card, you can opt to become an organ donor, register to vote, or change your voter registration address. For more information about voting in VA, visit our page on Voter Registration in Virginia.

Child ID Card

You can apply for a VA identification card for your child under 15 years old in person at a VA DMV customer service center.

You will need:

• A completed Identification Card Application for Minors Under Age 15 (Form DL5).
• A document proving your child's identity (e.g. U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or current permanent resident card).
• Valid payment. See the “VA Identification Card Fees" section below for information on fees and payment options.

A full list of acceptable documents can be found online. The VA DMV may require additional documents before issuing your child's ID card.

Your documents must be originals. The VA DMV will not accept temporary or photocopied documents.

VA Identification Card Fees

Virginia identification cards cost $16 for:

• Originals.
• Replacements.
• Renewals.

If you are eligible to renew your VA ID card online, but you choose to renew it at a VA DMV customer service center, you will need to pay an additional $5 on top of your ID card fee.

Renew a Virginia ID Card

The VA DMV will send you a renewal application in the mail before your ID card expires. Virginia ID cards are valid for 8 years .

You can renew your VA ID card up to 12 months before it expires, either online or in person at a VA DMV customer service center. You cannot renew your VA ID card by mail.

If you are upgrading to a REAL ID, you'll need to go in person and submit all required documents for a first-time REAL ID application (see above).

Note: If you are eligible to renew your VA ID card online, but you choose to renew it at a VA DMV customer service center, you will need to pay an additional $5 on top of your ID card fee.

Your replacement VA ID card will be mailed to you within 15 days of your application.

Online VA ID Card Renewal

You can renew your VA identification card online if you:

• Renewed your last ID card in person at a customer service center.
• Don't need a new photo taken.
• Are 18 years old or older.
• Have a valid VA ID card that is due to expire within the next 12 months.
• Aren't changing or correcting your name.
• Don't have any outstanding payments with the VA DMV.
• Have a verified customer number on file with the VA DMV.
• Have a physical Virginia address (if you don't have a Virginia address, you may still be able to renew online if you qualify for a Virginia address requirement exception).
• Don't need to provide proof of your legal presence in the U.S.

You will need to create or log in to your myDMV account using your customer number (printed on your ID card) or your Social Security number, and your date of birth.

You must have valid payment for your new ID card. See the “ VA Identification Card Fees" section above for information on fees and payment options.

In-Person VA ID Card Renewal

To renew your VA ID card in person at a VA DMV customer service center, you will need:

• A complete Driver's License and Identification Card Application (Form DL 1P).
• Documents proving your legal presence, if your current ID card has expired, or you have a limited duration ID card (e.g. I-94, naturalization certificate, or U.S. birth certificate). A full list of accepted documents can be found online.
• Your current Virginia ID card.
• To have your photo taken.
• Valid payment for your new ID card. See the “VA Identification Card Fees" section above for information on fees and payment options.

Change Your VA ID Card Information

Change Your Address

You can change your address on your VA ID card online, by phone, or in person at a VA DMV office. You cannot change your address by mail.

If you change your address, you must tell the VA DMV within 30 days. Your new address must be a physical Virginia address, not a post office box or business address. You must give the VA DMV your principal address in Virginia; however, you can choose to have an alternate Virginia address printed on your ID card.

If your new primary or alternate address is located outside of Virginia, the VA DMV will cancel your identification card, unless you are active duty military personnel or a Virginia resident employed outside of the state.

When you change your address with the VA DMV, you can choose to pay for an updated ID card showing your new address.

Your updated VA ID card will be mailed to you within 15 days of your application.

Online

To change your address online, you will need to create or log in to your myDMV account using your customer number (printed on your ID card) or your Social Security number, and your date of birth.

You must have valid payment if you would like an updated ID card. See the “ VA Identification Card Fees" section above for information on fees and payment options.

By Phone or In Person

You can change your address by calling the VA DMV at (804) 497-7100 or visiting a VA DMV office in person.

You must have valid payment if you would like an updated ID card. See the “ VA Identification Card Fees" section above for information on fees and payment options.

Change Your Name

To change your name on your VA ID card, you must visit a VA DMV customer service center in person. You cannot change your name online or by mail.

You will need:

• Your current VA ID card.
• A document proving your identity, if you don't have your ID card (e.g. original U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or current permanent resident card). A full list of accepted documents can be found online.
• Either your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order granting your name change.
• Valid payment for your updated ID card. See the “VA Identification Card Fees" section above for information on fees and payment options.

Your documents must be originals. The VA DMV will not accept temporary or photocopied documents.

Replace a Lost or Stolen Virginia ID Card

You can replace your lost, stolen, or damaged Virgina ID card online or in person at a VA DMV customer service center. You cannot order a replacement VA ID card by mail.

If you are a non-U.S. citizen temporarily in the U.S. with a limited-duration VA ID card, you can replace your ID as long as it's valid and unexpired.

Your updated VA ID card will be mailed to you within 15 days of your application.

Online Replacement

To replace your Virginia ID card online, you will need to create or log in to your myDMV account using your customer number (printed on your ID card) or your Social Security number, and date of birth.

You can renew your card online if:

• You're 18 years old or older.
• Your primary address is in Virginia.
• You have a valid unexpired VA ID card.
• You have a verified customer number on file with the VA DMV.
• You aren't changing or correcting your name.
• You don't have any outstanding payments with the VA DMV.
• You don't need a new photo on your ID card.
• You don't need to provide proof of your legal presence in the U.S.

You will need valid payment for your replacement identification card. See the “ VA Identification Card Fees" section above for information on fees and payment options.

In-Person Replacement

To apply for a replacement VA ID card in person at a VA DMV office, you will need:

• A complete Driver's License and Identification Card Application (Form DL 1P).
• 1 document proving your identity (e.g. U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or current permanent resident card).
  
• Real ID credentials require additional documentation.

Your documents must be originals. The VA DMV will not accept temporary or photocopied documents. A full list of accepted documents can be found online.

VA Veteran ID Card

If you are veteran, you may be eligible for a Veterans ID card that you can use to receive discounts from retailers and restaurants.

To be eligible, you must:

• Have a discharge status from the U.S. Armed Forces that isn't dishonorable.
• Have a valid, unexpired VA driver's license, learner's permit, or ID card.
• Provide a document proving your veteran service that displays your branch of service, discharge date, and discharge status (e.g. DD214, DD256, or WD AGO).
• Consent for your information to be shared with the Virginia Department of Veteran Services (DVS).

Apply for a VA Veteran ID Card

You can apply for a VA veteran ID card online, by mail, by fax, or in person at a Virginia DMV office.

Apply Online

To apply for a Virginia veteran card online, you will need to create or log in to your myDMV account using your customer number (printed on your VA driver's license or ID card) or your Social Security number, and your date of birth.

Once you have applied online, you will need to submit a copy of your receipt and proof of veteran status to the VA DMV by mail, fax, or in person at a VA DMV customer service center within 15 days (see mail and fax details below).

Apply by Mail, Fax or In-Person

You can apply for a VA veteran ID card by mail, fax or in person. You will need a:

• Completed Virginia Veterans Identification Card Application (Form DL 11).
• Copy of your document proving your veteran service (e.g. DD214, DD256, or WD AGO).

Send or take your documents to the VA DMV. If you choose to send them:

Mail your documents to:

Driver Support Work Center, Room 419
P.O. Box 27412
Richmond, VA 23269

Fax your documents to: (804) 367-1112.

Virginia Veteran ID Card Fees

A VA veteran ID card will cost you $16 and will not expire.

It will cost you another $16 to replace your lost, stolen, or damaged veterans ID card.

Privacy & Consent Requirements

After you apply for a Virginia veteran ID card, the Virginia DMV will share your information with the VA DVS every 6 months. This includes any address changes you may make during this time.

By agreeing to have your information shared with the VA DVS, you give consent for the VA DVS to use your information to:

• Create and maintain your record in the DVS database.
• Send you letters about DVS services.
• Determine if you've filed a VA claim.