Buy ID Card: Navigating Your Options
This guide is for individuals seeking to purchase ID cards online, providing clear steps and options.
Are you looking to replace your state identification card online? Ordering an official replacement through state motor vehicle portals typically takes 7 to 10 business days for postal delivery (1). Fees vary by state, such as a standard $10 charge in Michigan or $20 to $30 in Illinois [4, 7]. The first step is verifying your eligibility for online renewal using your state portal credentials.
| Option | Price | Timeframe | Requirements | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State ID (Renewal) | $10 (waived for 65+ or legally blind) | 7-10 business days | U.S. citizen, valid Social Security card, specific renewal history | Must visit office every 12 years for photo and vision screening |
| Illinois State ID (Standard) | $20 (5 years) / $30 (10 years) | 7-10 business days | Original documents for signature, date of birth, Social Security, residency | First-time applicants must provide specific original documents |
| REAL ID-compliant Card | U.S. passport or REAL ID required for travel after May 7, 2025 | Varies by state | Must meet state-specific requirements for ID | U.S. travelers must present compliant ID for domestic flights and federal facilities |
| Replacement ID Card | Varies by state | 7-10 business days | Request through state motor vehicle portals | Vital records must be requested from state offices or Social Security Administration |
Before you go
How to get a state ID online
To obtain an official state ID online, you must meet specific state-mandated citizenship and documentation criteria through official government portals. First-time applicants usually need to present original unexpired documents verifying their identity, signature, and residency (2). Delivery of the credential via mail takes a minimum of 7 to 10 business days (1).
MI ID replacement online
Replacing a standard state ID card online in Michigan incurs a standard replacement fee of $10 (3). This fee is completely waived for residents who are 65 or older or legally blind (3). Most residents only need to visit a Secretary of State branch office every 12 years for a new photograph and vision screening (4).
Il State ID Card
Official standard Illinois State ID cards cost $20 for a 5-year validity period or $30 for a 10-year validity period (5). Qualified residents eligible for online renewal receive a renewal letter containing a 14-digit authorization PIN 60 to 90 days before expiration (6). First-time applicants must present original unexpired documents to verify their signature, date of birth, Social Security number, and state residency (2).
REAL ID identification card
A REAL ID-compliant state driver's licence or identification card is visually distinguished by a star marked in the upper right-hand corner (7). As mandated by the REAL ID Act passed by Congress in 2005, U.S. travelers must present this compliant card or a U.S. passport starting May 7, 2025, to board domestic commercial flights (8). This identification is also required to access certain federal facilities (8).
REAL ID application online
Applicants must meet state-specific requirements and often provide identity documentation to secure a compliant credential. Starting May 7, 2025, having this compliant identification is mandatory for boarding domestic commercial flights (8). You can check your state motor vehicle portal to start the application process and verify document guidelines.
DMV REAL ID application
Visiting your local motor vehicle agency allows you to submit required documents for a compliant credential. The card features a distinct star within a gold circle in the upper right-hand corner (7). Securing this document ensures you can access federal facilities and board domestic commercial flights after May 7, 2025 (8).
Secretary of State ID replacement online
Michigan applicants renewing or replacing credentials online must be U.S. citizens and possess a valid Social Security card (3). Meeting specific renewal history criteria allows you to successfully bypass an in-person office visit (3). Replacement orders processed through official state motor vehicle portals generally take 7 to 10 business days for postal delivery (1).