State ID Card for International Students 

As an international student, obtaining a state ID card should be in your to-do list within your first few months in the US.

You can easily carry around your state ID in your wallet, using it as your primary identification document, while leaving your passport containing any visas safe at home.

This comes in very handy if you ever need to prove your age when traveling domestically within the US, shopping at a grocery store, or going out to a nightclub or bar. 

Unlike your school ID card, State IDs are accepted as a form of identification when performing a transaction at a bank, and when boarding an airplane for a domestic flight in the US.

Although it's similar in appearance to a US driver’s license, a US state ID does not permit you to drive.

To learn the best tips to applying for a US state driver’s license as an international student, check out our blog on how to obtain a driver's licenses as a US international student.

Now let’s get into how you can obtain a US State ID Card!

Applying for a State ID as an International Student

Here are the typical steps to follow when applying for a State ID on an F1, J1 or M1 visa in all US states. 

1. Visit the website of the state agency that issues state IDs or driver's licenses, this is typically called the department of motor vehicles.

But keep in mind that some states might have different names for the state agency responsible for issuing state IDs and driver’s licenses.

You might be able to download an application form for your state ID or schedule an office appointment ahead of time. 

2. Visit your local Department of Motor Vehicle office (DMV) to submit an application and provide documentation

At this office, your photograph will be taken for your state ID, as well as your fingerprints, and a written signature. 

Generally across most states, you would need to show documents that

• Prove your identity and age
• Prove your residency in the state 
• Prove your legal presence in the US 
• Prove your social security number (not required for some US states).

Proof of Identity and Age

For proof of your identification and your age, it’s best to use your international passport.

Proof of Your Residency in the State

For proof of your residency in the state, you can use documents containing your full name such as bank statements, cell phone bills, a rental lease agreement, or a tuition bill that shows your address in the state. 

Proof of Your Legal Presence in the US

For proof of your legal US presence, an original copy of your US visa, a signed form I-20 (for F1 students) or DS-2019 (for J1 students) and your I-94 travel record is best. 

As an international student, the end date on your Form I-20 or DS-2019 would be used to determine the date of expiration of your state ID. 

At the time of writing this article, there are 13 states that allow you to apply for a state ID or driver’s license without having a US Social Security Number. 

These states are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, Utah, Vermont, and Washington.

If you don't live in any of any these states, you may need to first obtain a letter of SSN ineligibility from your local social security administration office before applying for a state ID. 

3. Paying the non-refundable application fee.

4. Obtain a temporary state ID in a paper form at the local office

Real ID State ID Card for International Students

And there you have it!

Follow these 4 steps to obtain your US state ID as an F1, J1 or M1 international student and avoid one of the biggest mistakes international students in the US make. 

Your wallet would thank you!