This webpage is designed to serve as a resource for youth experiencing homelessness or those assisting them in understanding individual state requirements for obtaining a valid government-issued photo identification or ID.
For youth experiencing homelessness seeking to obtain a valid government-issued photo ID, there are four common and critical barriers:
Most agencies that issue identity documents require a birth certificate to access most other government-issued identity documents. It is also one of the only documents (along with a Social Security card) that never expires; therefore, obtaining a copy of a birth certificate is highly recommended. In addition, many states require a copy of government-issued photo identification or notarized signature to obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate. This can be difficult for youth who do not already have identification documentation.
Most states have no minimum age for obtaining a State ID. Still, many states do require parental consent if the applicant is under 18. Twenty states require the signature or presence of a parent or guardian to obtain a state identification card. Additionally, states have varying requirements for consent to obtain a birth certification. For many youth experiencing homelessness, parental, guardian, or legal proxy signatures are often a distinct barrier due to separation or estrangement from their families and/or the time and cost of arranging to receive consent.
Most states do not account for the difficulty individuals experiencing homelessness may have in proving residency status. This is often a barrier to obtaining an ID for youth 18 and over without a permanent residence or youth under 18 who do not have access to a parent or legal guardian.
Given this combination of requirements and barriers, in only seventeen states can youth under the age of 18 obtain access to non-driver ID without the assistance of a parent or legal guardian. However, there are several actions states can take to reduce these barriers through policy changes or tailored exceptions to expand access for youth experiencing homelessness on their own.
Fees for ID range from $5.00 (Maine, South Carolina) to $72.00 (Washington Enhanced (federally compliant) ID). Some states have reduced or eliminated fees to obtain non-driver state identification for individuals experiencing homelessness, have documented disabilities, or receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). However, even these states typically require additional steps to certify homeless, disability, or income statuses, such as a form or affidavit signed by a social service agency or shelter. In addition, they may not eliminate the fee to obtaining a copy of a birth certificate, all of which can be additional barriers to obtaining identification for youth experiencing homelessness.
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