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How to Get ID & Documents in Illinois

Illinois provides state identification cards through the Secretary of State (SOS) office. The state has one of the most progressive ID access programs in the country, offering free IDs for homeless individuals, seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities.

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Quick Answer

To get a state ID in Illinois, visit a Secretary of State facility with a birth certificate or passport, Social Security card, and two proofs of Illinois residency. A standard ID costs $20, but Illinois offers free IDs for homeless individuals, seniors (65+), veterans, and persons with disabilities.

Illinois ID Agency

Illinois Secretary of State (SOS)

Website: ilsos.gov/departments/drivers/drivers_license/drlicid.html

Phone: (217) 782-7044

State ID Card

Cost: $20 (free for homeless individuals, seniors 65+, veterans, and persons with disabilities)

REAL ID: $20 (same cost; free for eligible groups)

Processing: 2-3 weeks by mail after in-person application; temporary paper ID issued immediately

Online renewal: Yes

Requirements:

  • One primary identity document (U.S. birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, or Consular Report of Birth Abroad)
  • Social Security card or W-2 with full SSN
  • Two proofs of Illinois residency (utility bill, bank statement, lease, government mail)
  • Proof of signature (credit/debit card, canceled check)

Illinois offers free state ID cards for homeless individuals through a formal program. Shelters and social service agencies can provide a letter verifying homeless status. Seniors 65+, veterans, and persons with disabilities also qualify for free IDs. The SOS operates facilities statewide including express facilities for faster service.

Birth Certificate

Agency: Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records

Cost: $15 (certified copy); $2 for short-form certification

Online ordering: Yes

Processing: Walk-in: same day in Springfield. Mail: 4-6 weeks. Online through VitalChek: 5-7 business days

Order online: dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/birth-death-other-records/birth-records.html

Illinois birth certificates can also be obtained from the county clerk's office in the county where the birth occurred. The state office in Springfield processes walk-in requests the same day. Online orders through VitalChek incur additional processing fees. County clerk copies are typically less expensive.

Special Programs & Fee Waivers

Reentry ID Program

The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) operates a pre-release ID program that helps inmates obtain state identification before release. IDOC works with the Secretary of State to provide state ID cards to individuals being released, often at no cost. The program has helped thousands of returning citizens obtain identification.

Homeless Provisions

Illinois has a formal homeless ID program. Individuals experiencing homelessness can obtain a free state ID card by presenting a letter from a shelter, social service agency, or other authorized organization confirming their homeless status. This program is codified in state law and widely utilized.

Fee Waivers

Free state IDs are available for homeless individuals, seniors age 65 and older, veterans, and persons with disabilities. These fee waivers are automatic when proper documentation of eligibility is presented at a Secretary of State facility.

Illinois Reentry ID Law

SB 1573 / 730 ILCS 5/3-14-1.5 (730 ILCS 5/3-14-1.5, 2018)

Requires the Illinois Department of Corrections to assist individuals in obtaining a state ID card before release. IDOC partners with the Secretary of State to process applications inside correctional facilities.

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 Illinois: $15 (certified copy); $2 for short-form certification.
  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 SOS. Cost: $20 (free for homeless individuals, seniors 65+, veterans, and persons with disabilities).
  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 SOS, 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 SOS 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 SOS 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 SOS 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 Illinois-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 SOS 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 SOS 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 Illinois, 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 Illinois 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 IllinoisState 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 Illinois and register to vote. See our Illinois voting rights guide.

Step-by-Step Guides

More Illinois Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How do homeless individuals get a free ID in Illinois?
Illinois provides free state ID cards to homeless individuals. You need a letter from a shelter, social service agency, or authorized organization confirming your homeless status. Bring this letter along with whatever identity documents you have to any Secretary of State facility. Staff are trained to assist homeless applicants with reduced documentation requirements.
Does the IDOC help inmates get ID before release?
Yes, the Illinois Department of Corrections operates a pre-release ID program. IDOC coordinates with the Secretary of State to help inmates obtain state identification before their release date. Case managers assist with gathering necessary documents like birth certificates and Social Security cards.
Can I renew my Illinois state ID online?
Yes, Illinois offers online renewal for eligible ID holders through the Secretary of State website. You must have a current valid ID that is within the renewal period and no changes to your personal information. Safe driver renewals can be completed online every other renewal cycle.
How do I get a replacement birth certificate in Illinois?
You can order a certified copy from the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records. Options include walk-in service in Springfield ($15 for same-day), mail requests, or online through VitalChek. You can also request copies from the county clerk's office where the birth occurred.
What qualifies me for a free Illinois state ID?
You qualify for a free state ID if you are experiencing homelessness (with verification letter), age 65 or older, a veteran (with DD-214 or VA documentation), or have a disability. Bring documentation of your eligibility to any Secretary of State facility.
How long is an Illinois state ID valid?
A standard Illinois state ID card is valid for 5 years from the date of issue for adults. IDs for individuals over 65 are free and valid for 5 years. You will receive a renewal notice before your card expires.

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