Official NCDMV: State IDs

The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles offers identification cards for customers who require a photo ID but do not require a driver license. Under North Carolina law, holders of these non-operator IDs are not permitted to operate a motor vehicle.

When applying for an ID card for the first time, an individual must visit an NCDMV driver license office with the following documents:

One document verifying age and identity
A Social Security card or one document proving they have a Social Security number
For U.S. citizens, one document proving residency
For non-U.S. citizens, one document issued by the U.S. government indicating legal presence

Notes:

Schedule an Office Appointment Online

Appointments for in-office license and ID card services can be made online.

Learn more about making an appointment online
NCDMV also offers an N.C. REAL ID identification card, which requires additional information and requirements.
Applying for a North Carolina ID card will cancel any ID cards from other states through the State-to-State Verification program.
North Carolina issues ID cards from a central location and mails them to applicants within 20 days.

Renewing a State ID

Individuals can renew their state ID up to six months before it expires either online, at a self-service kiosk or at any NCDMV driver license office. State IDs can be renewed online up to one year after the expiration date, otherwise renewals must be done in-person at an NCDMV office.

No-Fee ID Cards

IDs are available at no cost for qualified customers.

Table Caption
Card Type	Qualifying Recipients	Additional Requirements
No-fee ID	North Carolina residents who are any one of the following: At least 17 years old Legally blind Homeless Had a license that was canceled because of a disability or disease	Individuals who are legally blind must present a letter from a physician or the director of the N.C. Division of Services for the Blind. Individuals who are homeless must present a letter from the director of a facility that provides care or shelter to the homeless that verifies that the person is homeless.
No-fee ID for citizens with developmental disabilities	North Carolina residents diagnosed with a developmental disability	Individuals – or their legal guardian – must complete an Application for Identification Card. Applicants must have their primary care providers complete the form's Physician Section or sign a letter certifying that the applicant has a developmental disability.

Photo ID Required for Voting

Voters will be asked to show photo ID when voting in North Carolina. For most voters, they will simply show their driver license or state identification card. But there are many other acceptable photo IDs listed at Voter ID | NCSBE. If a voter does not have an acceptable photo ID, they may obtain a No-Fee ID at NCDMV.

Fee

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Fees
Name of Fee	Fee Amount

Standard non-operator ID card (under 17)	$16.75

Homebound Customer Requests

Residents who want to obtain an ID card but are unable to appear at an NCDMV driver license office because of a severe disability may request homebound assistance by:

Completing the Homebound Service Request form
Contacting NCDMV online
Calling Central Issuance at (919) 861-3030
Sending a fax to (919) 615-7289
Requesting by mail from the Central Issuance Unit, 3176 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27697-3176

Please note: To be eligible for homebound assistance, the resident must present a letter from a physician certifying that the resident is homebound and must, as described above, provide proof of age and identity, a valid Social Security number and proof of citizenship and residency.

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Payment Methods

Last updated Jan. 22, 2025

State IDs

Schedule an Office Appointment Online​

Renewing a State ID

No-Fee ID Cards

Photo ID Required for Voting

Fee

Homebound Customer Requests

Learn More

Schedule an Office Appointment Online