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How to Get ID & Documents in Georgia

Georgia issues state identification cards through the Department of Driver Services (DDS). Birth certificates are managed by the State Office of Vital Records within the Georgia Department of Public Health. Georgia offers a free voter ID card, and DDS partners with the Department of Corrections for reentry ID services.

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Quick Answer

You can get a Georgia state ID at any DDS customer service center for $32, or get a free voter identification card. The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) partners with DDS to help individuals obtain ID before release. Birth certificates cost $25 from the State Office of Vital Records.

Georgia ID Agency

Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS)

Website: dds.georgia.gov

Phone: (678) 413-8400

State ID Card

Cost: $32 (regular ID); free voter ID card

REAL ID: $32 (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 Georgia residency (utility bill, bank statement, lease, or tax return)
  • Proof of legal name change if applicable (certified marriage certificate, court order)
  • For voter ID card: proof of citizenship and voter registration

Georgia offers a free voter identification card for registered voters who do not have another form of acceptable photo ID. Regular state ID cards cost $32 and are valid for 8 years. REAL ID compliant cards are available at the same cost. You must visit a DDS customer service center in person for your first ID.

Birth Certificate

Agency: Georgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Records

Cost: $25

Online ordering: Yes

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

Order online: dph.georgia.gov/vital-records

You can order Georgia birth certificates online through the Georgia Department of Public Health website, by mail, or in person at the State Office of Vital Records in Atlanta. Online ordering is also available through VitalChek. You need valid photo ID and proof of eligibility. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $5 each.

Special Programs & Fee Waivers

Reentry ID Program

The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) has a formal partnership with the Department of Driver Services (DDS) to help individuals obtain state identification before release. GDC transition coordinators assist with gathering required documents including birth certificates and Social Security cards. Mobile DDS units have visited some GDC facilities to process ID applications on-site. Contact your GDC counselor or transition coordinator to begin the process.

Homeless Provisions

Georgia does not have a formal fee waiver for homeless individuals, but the free voter ID card provides a no-cost identification option for registered voters. Local shelters, the Gateway Center, and other homeless services organizations can help with document gathering and application assistance.

Fee Waivers

Georgia offers a free voter identification card for registered voters who lack other acceptable photo ID. No general fee waiver exists for the regular $32 state ID card. Some nonprofit organizations may provide financial assistance for ID costs.

Georgia Reentry ID Law

SB 147 (O.C.G.A. 42-5-20.1, 2020)

Requires the Georgia Department of Corrections to coordinate with the Department of Driver Services to issue state ID cards to individuals within 90 days of release. Also requires provision of educational transcripts and vocational certificates earned during incarceration.

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 Georgia: $25.
  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 DDS. Cost: $32 (regular ID); free voter ID card.
  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 DDS, 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 DDS 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 DDS 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 DDS 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 Georgia-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 DDS 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 DDS 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 Georgia, 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 Georgia 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 GeorgiaState 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 Georgia and register to vote. See our Georgia voting rights guide.

Step-by-Step Guides

More Georgia Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the free Georgia voter ID card?
Georgia provides a free voter identification card to any registered voter who does not have another form of acceptable photo ID. You can apply at any DDS customer service center or at your county registrar's office. You need proof of citizenship, your Social Security number, and proof of Georgia residency.
Can I get a Georgia state ID with a criminal record?
Yes. A criminal record does not prevent you from obtaining a Georgia state ID or the free voter ID card. GDC partners with DDS to help people leaving prison obtain ID before release.
What do I need to get a Georgia state ID?
You need proof of identity (such as a birth certificate or passport), your Social Security number, and two documents proving your Georgia address. You must apply in person at a DDS customer service center.
How do I get a birth certificate if I was born in Georgia?
You can order from the State Office of Vital Records online, by mail, or in person at the Atlanta office. The cost is $25 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. You need valid photo ID.
What if I have no documents at all?
Start by getting a replacement Social Security card from SSA (free). Then order your birth certificate ($25). With those documents and proof of address, you can get your state ID ($32) or free voter ID. Georgia Legal Services or local reentry organizations can assist.
How long is a Georgia state ID valid?
Georgia state ID cards are valid for 8 years from the date of issuance. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a DDS customer service center.

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