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How to Get ID & Documents in Arizona

Arizona issues state identification cards through the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) under the Arizona Department of Transportation. Birth certificates are managed by the Office of Vital Records within the Arizona Department of Health Services.

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Quick Answer

You can get an Arizona state ID at any MVD office or authorized third-party provider for just $12, and it remains valid until you turn 65. The Arizona Department of Corrections (ADOC) offers a reentry program to help individuals obtain ID before release. Birth certificates cost $20 from the Office of Vital Records.

Arizona ID Agency

Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD)

Website: azmvdnow.gov

Phone: (602) 255-0072

State ID Card

Cost: $12

REAL ID: $25 (Travel ID / REAL ID compliant)

Processing: 2-3 weeks by mail; temporary ID issued same day at office

Online renewal: Yes

Requirements:

  • Proof of identity (birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card)
  • Proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099)
  • One proof of Arizona residency (utility bill, bank statement, lease, or other qualifying document)
  • Proof of legal name change if applicable (marriage certificate, court order)

Arizona standard ID cards are valid until age 65, making them one of the longest-lasting state IDs in the country. REAL ID compliant Travel IDs are also available for $25 and are valid for 8 years. Many MVD services are available online at ServiceArizona.com or through authorized third-party providers.

Birth Certificate

Agency: Arizona Department of Health Services, Office of Vital Records

Cost: $20

Online ordering: Yes

Processing: 3-5 weeks by mail; same day in person at Phoenix office

Order online: azdhs.gov/licensing/vital-records

You can order Arizona birth certificates online, by mail, or in person at the Office of Vital Records in Phoenix. VitalChek online ordering is also available. You must provide valid photo identification and proof of eligibility.

Special Programs & Fee Waivers

Reentry ID Program

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR) works with MVD to help individuals obtain a state ID or birth certificate before release. Inmates can begin the application process through their transition program coordinator. ADCRR may cover the cost of a birth certificate for eligible individuals.

Homeless Provisions

Arizona does not have a specific fee waiver for homeless individuals, but the low $12 cost of a standard ID card helps reduce barriers. Community organizations and day shelters may provide assistance with document gathering and fees.

Fee Waivers

Arizona offers free non-operating identification cards to individuals who are legally blind. No general fee waivers are available, but the standard $12 ID cost is among the lowest in the nation.

Recommended Order to Get Your Documents

If you have no documents at all, this is the order most reentry specialists recommend. Each document makes the next one easier to get.

  1. 1
    Birth certificate -- This is the foundation document. You can usually order it by mail with minimal ID. It unlocks everything else. Cost in Arizona: $20.
  2. 2
    Social Security card -- Always free. With your birth certificate, you can get a replacement SS card at any SSA office or online at ssa.gov. You can replace up to 3 cards per year, 10 in a lifetime.
  3. 3
    State ID card -- With your birth certificate and SS card, you have everything needed for a state ID at the MVD. Cost: $12.
  4. 4
    Other documents -- Once you have a state ID, you can open a bank account, apply for benefits, get a job, register to vote, and apply for a driver's license, passport, or other documents.

Pre-Release Document Planning Timeline

If you or someone you know is currently incarcerated, start the document process as early as possible. Many states allow document applications from inside the facility.

6-12 months out

Request a birth certificate by mail from your birth state. Contact your case manager or reentry coordinator about ID assistance programs. Ask if your facility has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Social Security Administration for in-facility SS card processing.

3-6 months out

Apply for your Social Security card replacement. If your facility has a partnership with the MVD, begin the state ID application. Gather any educational transcripts, vocational certificates, or GED documentation earned during incarceration.

1-3 months out

Confirm your documents are ready or in process. If your facility issues a DOC/prison release ID card, make sure it will be provided on release day. Identify the nearest MVD office and SSA office to where you will be living.

Release day

Get your prison release ID card, any documents your facility has prepared, and your personal property. Your release ID is a valid form of identification at many government offices. Visit the MVD as soon as possible to get your state ID.

Federal Release Identification Card (BOP)

If you or someone you know was incarcerated in a federal prison, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) issues a Federal Release Identification Card with REAL ID-level security features. This card is accepted by TSA for domestic air travel and by many state MVD offices as a valid form of identification. Over 16,700 cards have been issued since October 2023.

The federal release ID is nota REAL ID, but it can be used as proof of identity when applying for a state ID or driver's license. It includes your photo, date of birth, and federal inmate number. Ask your unit team or case manager about the Federal Release Identification Card program before your release date.

Note: This program is for federal (BOP) facilities only. State prison release IDs vary by state -- see the reentry program section above for Arizona-specific information.

County Jail vs. State Prison: Different ID Situations

State prison releases typically have access to pre-release ID programs and reentry services. Many state corrections departments partner with the MVD to issue state IDs before release. Your facility case manager or reentry coordinator can help navigate this process.

County jail releases often get little or no document assistance. Jail stays are shorter, and most county jails do not have formal reentry ID programs. If you are released from county jail without ID, your best resources are:

  • Call 211 for local reentry and ID assistance programs
  • Contact your local Legal Aid office for help with documents
  • Ask your parole/probation officer about ID assistance
  • Visit a local shelter or reentry center -- many help with document recovery
  • Some MVD offices accept jail release paperwork as a secondary form of ID

Born in a Different State?

If you were born in a state other than Arizona, you will need to order your birth certificate from the state where you were born. Every state has a vital records office that processes mail-in requests. You can also use VitalChek.com (official partner for most states) to order online, though they charge a processing fee on top of the state fee.

If you are currently incarcerated in Arizona but were born elsewhere, your case manager or reentry coordinator can often help you request your birth certificate by mail from your birth state. Start this process at least 6 months before your release date, as out-of-state requests can take 4-8 weeks.

Born outside the U.S.? You will need a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (for U.S. citizens born overseas), a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Permanent Resident Card (green card). Contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or a local immigration legal aid organization for help.

Social Security Card -- Key Facts

Replacing your Social Security card is always free -- do not pay anyone for this service. You can get a replacement online at ssa.gov/myaccount, by mail, or in person at any SSA office. You are limited to 3 replacement cards per year and 10 in your lifetime.

Prison-SSA partnership: Many federal and state correctional facilities have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Social Security Administration that allows inmates to apply for replacement cards using their prison ID as proof of identity. Ask your case manager if your facility participates. The SSA processes these applications and mails the card directly to the facility or to a designated release address.

No ID at all? If you have no other identification, the SSA may accept alternative evidence of identity. Visit an SSA office in person and explain your situation. Bring any documents you have, including prison release papers, medical records, or school records. See our guide for getting ID with no documents.

Other Important Documents

U.S. Passport -- A valid federal photo ID that can also serve as proof of citizenship. Useful as a backup ID. Costs $130 (book) or $30 (card). Apply at a passport acceptance facility (usually a post office). See our felon passport guide.
Criminal Record / RAP Sheet -- You have the right to request your own criminal history. This is useful for expungement applications, job interviews, and housing applications. Contact the ArizonaState Police or use the FBI's Identity History Summary (costs $18, submitted via fingerprint card). See our guide to checking your own record.
Military Discharge Papers (DD-214) -- Veterans need their DD-214 for VA benefits, healthcare, and employment preferences. Request a copy from the National Personnel Records Center (free). Many county recorders also keep copies on file.
Selective Service Registration -- Males 18-25 are required to register. Registration is needed for federal financial aid (Pell Grants), federal jobs, and citizenship applications. Register or verify status at sss.gov.
Educational Transcripts & Vocational Certificates -- If you completed a GED, vocational training, or college courses during incarceration, contact the facility's education department for official transcripts before or soon after release. These documents help with employment and education applications. See our education & training guide.
Voter Registration -- Check your voting eligibility in Arizona and register to vote. See our Arizona voting rights guide.

Step-by-Step Guides

More Arizona Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to get an Arizona state ID?
You need proof of identity (such as a birth certificate or passport), your Social Security number, and one document showing your Arizona address. You can apply in person at an MVD office or authorized third-party provider.
Can I get an Arizona state ID if I have a criminal record?
Yes. A criminal record does not prevent you from getting an Arizona state ID. If you are being released from ADCRR custody, your transition program coordinator can help you start the ID process before release.
Why is the Arizona ID so cheap and valid so long?
Arizona standard ID cards cost only $12 and do not expire until you turn 65. This is a longstanding Arizona policy. However, REAL ID Travel IDs cost $25 and are valid for 8 years. You will need a Travel ID (or passport) to board domestic flights.
How do I get a birth certificate if I was born in Arizona?
You can order a certified copy from the Office of Vital Records online, by mail, or in person at the Phoenix office. The cost is $20 per copy. You will need valid photo ID and proof of eligibility.
What if I do not have any documents at all?
Start by requesting a replacement Social Security card (free from SSA). Then order your birth certificate. With those two documents and proof of address, you can get your state ID. Organizations like Community Legal Services may help with the process.
Can I do everything online?
Many MVD transactions can be done online at azmvdnow.gov or ServiceArizona.com, including renewals and replacements. However, you must visit an office in person for your first ID card.

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Disclaimer: This is informational only, not legal advice. Requirements and fees change frequently. Contact your local MVD, vital records office, or Social Security office for exact current requirements. For help, call 211 or visit 211.org.
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