If you are a Maryland resident of any age and do not possess a valid driver's license or moped permit, you may be eligible to obtain a Maryland Identification (ID) card.

Effective October 1, 2012, the Maryland MVA will begin the conversion of Non-commercial driver’s licenses and identification cards (ID cards) to an 8-year period of validity.  ID cards  for individuals 18 years of age and older will be valid for a maximum of 8 years and ID cards for those under the age of 18 will be valid for a maximum of 5 years.

What is the procedure for obtaining an ID card?

First, gather the documents that you will need to present to the MVA:

• Proof of age and identity, lawful status, social security number or proof of ineligibility, and Maryland residence -
  Required proofs of identity and residency may be different:
  • If you are surrendering a Maryland Driver's License or Maryland ID card - proofs of age and identity, social security number, lawful presence, and residency may not be required if you had your license or ID prior to April 19, 2009 and your identity can be verified;
  • If you are surrendering a Maryland Driver's License or Maryland ID card, however, you are requesting a change of your name, address, race/ethnicity and/or gender designation as it appears on the license/ID card - you must bring documentation certifying the changed information.  For more details, see process about changing information in person, which is included in Changing or Correcting a Driver's License, Permit or Identification (ID) Card.
  • If you are presenting a Maryland Driver's License or Maryland ID Card that has been expired for one (1)-year or more, you will be processed as a new customer and must provide the MVA with additional documents.  Please refer to Sources of Proof.
• If you are surrendering a Maryland Driver's License or Maryland ID card, however, you are requesting a change of your name, address, race/ethnicity and/or gender designation as it appears on the license/ID card - you must bring documentation certifying the changed information.  For more details, see process about changing information in person, which is included in Changing or Correcting a Driver's License, Permit or Identification (ID) Card.
• If you are presenting a Maryland Driver's License or ID Card that has been expired for one (1) year or more, you will be processed as a new customer and must provide the MVA with additional documents.  Please refer to Sources of Proof.
• If customer is a dependent child who is accompanied by a parent/guardian, the parent/guardian must present valid identification, proof of relationship and proof of dependency if the dependent is 18 years of age or older.

Notes:

1. Your ID card will be mailed to your residence address, unless you need to received the ID card immediately because you are:

• Turning in a current driver's license or ID card, or;
• You have travel reservations outside of Maryland (airline tickets, cruise tickets, motel/hotel reservations, etc) for a date less than 20 days in the future, or;
• You have a testing notice (i.e. GED, SAT, drug testing, etc) for a date less than 20 days in the future, or;
• Another procedure that the Administration requires/permits.

• Take your photograph.  See MVA Photo Guidelines.
• Review the documents you brought with you; and
• Ask you various questions to verify your that you are eligible to receive the ID card.
  Have you sign the application following the MVA Signature Guidelines.

Notes: 

1. If your driving privilege has been refused, canceled, suspended or revoked, you may still be eligible for an ID card.
2. MVA Photo Guidelines:  Because of the ever increasing need to use a photo driver’s license, learner’s permit or moped permit as proof of personal identification (i.e.: MVA, Law Enforcement, Homeland Security, etc.) in addition to its role as a licensing document, the Maryland MVA is required to follow and enforce certain guidelines concerning approving and using an acceptable digital image/photograph on these license products.  The same guidelines would also follow for the issuance of a Maryland Photo Identification Card.
   The MVA will not permit an applicant to significantly alter, hide or enhance their face or facial features by the use or excessive use of:
   1). Face Paint
   2). Cosmetics
   3). Cosmetic Contacts
   4). Facial Contortions
   5). Hats/Scarves/Other Clothing
   6). Hands, etc.
   If a supervisor deems it necessary, the customer will be required to remove the unacceptable face paint, cosmetics, etc. before a photo is taken.
   If a photo image is taken and it is determined to be unacceptable by an MVA supervisor due to any of the above reasons or otherwise, the MVA reserves the right to require that the customer either sits for another image or is refused the issuance of the MVA product.
    
   References:
   1. Issuance of license: TR, 16-111.1(d)(2-iv):  A color photograph of the applicant that is taken in accordance with a procedure that the Administration requires.
   2. Form and contents of an Identification Card: TR, 12-301(g)(2v):  A color photograph of the applicant taken by the procedure that the Administration requires. 

MVA Signature Guidelines:

Each applicant for an MVA License, Learner’s Permit, Moped Permit or Identification Card “MUST” sign their usual signature (actual legal name only) on the MVA product application certifying that the statements made in it are true.  The usual signature must consist of their “Actual Legal Name” and may NOT contain additional titles, verbiage, information or anything else such as:

     1). Mr. or Mrs.  etc.

     2). Dr. or Esquire or Reverend/Pastor, etc.

     3). Nick Names that are not a shortened version of the first name as noted below.

     4). Artwork , Characters, Symbols or additional Marks of any kind such as: Smiley Faces, Flowers,  etc.

     5). Additional Names not verified on/by their ID documents (or approved by the MVA) or additional  

           Comments or Notes, etc.

 Note:  The applicant may sign a shortened version of their 1^st name instead of using the full name such as:

              a). “Nick” for Nicholas

              b). “Bob” for Robert

              c). “Sam” for Samantha

Expiration Date:

• Effective October 1, 2012, a Photo Identification Card (ID card) issued to an applicant under 18 years of age may be valid for a maximum of five (5) years (depending upon their temporary lawful status, if applicable).
• A Photo Identification Card (ID Card) issued to an applicant 18 years of age or older may be valid for a maximum of eight (8)-years (depending upon their temporary lawful status, if applicable).

Surrender of ID card:

• The Photo Identification Card (ID Card) must be surrendered by the holder, upon being issued a Maryland driver's license.

Note:  Customers must also be sure to change their name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) prior to coming to the MVA.  The license, learner’s permit or ID card will not be issued if the new desired name change does not match the SSA records and is not automatically verified by the SSA files.  It may take a minimum of 48 hours or longer for the SSA to update their records with your name change.

Customers may obtain a Change of Address form (VR-154) at any MVA office, online or the form may be mailed to you.  To have the form mailed, please call the MVA Customer Service Center at 1-410-768-7000 or 1-800-492-4575 TTY for the Hearing Impaired.

Fees:

• There is a fee for an ID card.
• There is no fee for an ID card if you:
  • Are age 65 years or older;
  • Are legally blind;
  • Have permanently lost the use of an arm or leg;
  • Are permanently disabled so severely that the applicant cannot move without the use of crutches or wheelchair or has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits "major life activity" as defined by the federal Americans with Disability Act.

Notes:

1. The MVA will ONLY accept a Marriage Certificate that has been certified and issued by that jurisdictions proper government authority such as their Department of Vital Records/Statistics or their local or state court system.  A marriage license signed by a minister or other authorized officiant and issued by a church, etc. is a keepsake document and is NOT an official marriage document.  The local or state government authority will issue a marriage license granting the couple permission to get married by an authorized officiant.  The minister/officiant who solemnizes the marriage will complete and sign the actual marriage license that was issued by the proper government authority and then return it to the proper government authority who will verify and record the marriage/civil union in their files.  The married couple may then obtain a certified copy of the Marriage Certificate from this authority.
2. Effective January 1, 2013 the State of Maryland will permit Same-Sex marriages to be performed in Maryland and the MVA will recognize these marriages/civil unions.  Customers who have entered into a same-sex marriage and present the necessary documentation will be processed the same as customers of opposite genders. The MVA will also continue to recognize a same-sex marriage that was performed in another jurisdiction that has passed and enacted legislation that permits same-sex marriages to be performed in their jurisdiction. 
   Note:  If you are using a name other than your birth name, you must bring the documents that initiated the change of name, such as a marriage certificate(s), divorce decree(s) or court name change order.

Veteran Status Code:  Effective January 1, 2013 if you are able to present certain United States Military Veteran documentation (original or certified copy issued by the appropriate department/agency) certifying your veteran status you may apply to add a “W” restriction code indicating that you are a U.S. Veteran onto your Maryland driver’s license or identification card (ID card).  You can add this “W” restriction code when you are processed for a license or ID card Renewal, Correction or New product.

Notes:  

1. In choosing to add this code to the driver’s license or ID card, you consent to being contacted by the appropriate Executive Branch agencies regarding your eligibility for State or Federal Veteran’s benefits. 
2. “Veteran” means an individual who served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, other than for training, and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.
3. If you do not have one of the below acceptable proof of veteran status documents indicating a discharge or release under conditions other than dishonorable, you will need to contact the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) Service Office to obtain documentation verifying your status as a veteran.  You may call 1-800-446-4926 or visit the MDVA website at http://www.mdva.state.md.us/about/serviceProgram.html for information and assistance.    

The acceptable proof of veteran status documents are:

1. DD-214 Military Discharge Certificate, or;
2. Honorable Discharge Certificate, or;
3. Letter from U.S. Military Center in St. Louis, Missouri, or; 
4. Letter from the Maryland Veterans Administration Service Program

The acceptable documents must show the Veteran status as:

1. Honorable, or;
2. General, or;
3. General Under Honorable Conditions, or;
4. Discharged or Released under conditions other than Dishonorable

Fee:  There is a fee if the applicant chooses to add or remove this designation/restriction code onto their license or ID card as a correction.

Contact Information:

MVA
Driver Services Division
6601 Ritchie Highway, NE
Glen Burnie, MD 21062

For telephone questions:

The conversion to an 8-year driver’s license and identification card will be implemented over the next few years.  During this phase-in period, individuals renewing their noncommercial driver’s license or identification card will receive a product with a validity period of a maximum of 5 to 8 years.  Because the expiration date of the license or identification card is determined by a computer generated selection process, the fee required to renew will vary.  This fee is prorated (for each year the product is valid) based on the period of validity of the license or identification card which may be for a maximum of 5-8 years.  Note:  Commercial driver’s licenses will continue to be valid for a maximum of 5-years.

Note:  Individuals with a limited term ID or driver’s license will continue to be issued a product with a validity period equal to their duration of lawful status in the United States and will NOT be able to renew using the mail, MVA Kiosk or the web.