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How to Get ID & Documents in Florida

Florida issues state identification cards through the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). Birth certificates are managed by the Bureau of Vital Statistics within the Florida Department of Health. Florida has one of the lowest birth certificate fees in the nation at $9.

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Quick Answer

You can get a Florida state ID at any DHSMV or tax collector office for $25. The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) has a pre-release ID program to help individuals obtain identification before release. Birth certificates are just $9 from the Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics, one of the lowest costs in the country.

Florida ID Agency

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV)

Website: flhsmv.gov

Phone: (850) 617-2000

State ID Card

Cost: $25

REAL ID: $25 (same cost for REAL ID compliant card)

Processing: 7-10 business days 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 with full SSN)
  • Two proofs of Florida residential address (utility bill, bank statement, lease, or Florida vehicle registration)
  • Proof of legal name change if applicable (certified marriage certificate, court order)

Florida state ID cards are valid for 8 years. REAL ID compliant cards are available at the same cost. Most Florida counties use the local Tax Collector's office as the driver license and ID card service center rather than a standalone DHSMV office. Online renewal is available for eligible renewals.

Birth Certificate

Agency: Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics

Cost: $9

Online ordering: Yes

Processing: 2-4 weeks by mail; same day at local county health department

Order online: floridahealth.gov/certificates/certificates/birth

Florida birth certificates can be ordered from the state Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville, from your local county health department, or online through VitalChek. At $9, Florida has one of the lowest birth certificate fees in the country. You need valid photo ID and proof of eligibility.

Special Programs & Fee Waivers

Reentry ID Program

The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) operates a pre-release ID program in partnership with DHSMV. Transition specialists help individuals obtain birth certificates, Social Security cards, and state identification cards before release. The process should be initiated through your classification officer or transition specialist at least 180 days before release.

Homeless Provisions

Florida does not have a formal statewide fee waiver for homeless individuals. However, local Continuum of Care organizations, homeless coalitions, and social service agencies may provide assistance with ID costs and document gathering. Some counties have specific programs to help homeless individuals obtain ID.

Fee Waivers

No general fee waivers are available for state ID cards. Some counties and nonprofit organizations provide financial assistance for obtaining identification. Contact your local Department of Children and Families (DCF) service center or 2-1-1 for referrals.

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 Florida: $9.
  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 DHSMV. Cost: $25.
  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 DHSMV, 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 DHSMV 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 DHSMV 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 DHSMV 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 Florida-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 DHSMV 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 DHSMV 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 Florida, 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 Florida 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 FloridaState 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 Florida and register to vote. See our Florida voting rights guide.

Step-by-Step Guides

More Florida Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to get a Florida state ID?
You need proof of identity (such as a birth certificate or passport), your Social Security number, and two documents proving your Florida residential address. You must apply in person at a DHSMV office or Tax Collector's office.
Can I get a Florida state ID with a criminal record?
Yes. A criminal record does not prevent you from obtaining a Florida state ID. If you are being released from FDC custody, the pre-release ID program can help you obtain your ID before release.
How do I get a birth certificate if I was born in Florida?
You can order from the Bureau of Vital Statistics by mail, online through VitalChek, or in person at your local county health department. The cost is just $9 per copy, one of the lowest in the nation.
Where do I go to get my Florida ID — DHSMV or Tax Collector?
In most Florida counties, the Tax Collector's office serves as the driver license and ID card service center. Check the DHSMV website for the correct office in your county. Some counties still have standalone DHSMV offices.
What if I have no documents at all?
Start by getting a replacement Social Security card from SSA (free). Then order your birth certificate ($9 in Florida). With those two documents and proof of address, you can get your state ID ($25). Florida Legal Services or local reentry organizations can help.
How long is a Florida state ID valid?
Florida state ID cards are valid for 8 years from the date of issuance. You can renew online, by mail, or in person. Online renewal is available every other renewal cycle.

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