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How to Get ID & Documents in Louisiana

Louisiana issues state identification cards through the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), which is part of the Department of Public Safety. Louisiana also offers a digital driver's license option through the LA Wallet app.

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Quick Answer

To get a state ID in Louisiana, visit an OMV office with a birth certificate or passport, Social Security card, and two proofs of Louisiana residency. A standard state ID costs $18, and the permanent card is mailed within 7-10 business days after an in-person application.

Louisiana ID Agency

Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV)

Website: expresslane.org

Phone: (225) 925-6146

State ID Card

Cost: $18

REAL ID: $18 (REAL ID compliant included at no extra charge)

Processing: Temporary document issued same day; permanent card mailed within 7-10 business days

Online renewal: Yes

Requirements:

  • One primary identity document (U.S. birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, certified marriage certificate with maiden name)
  • Social Security card or document showing full SSN
  • Two proofs of Louisiana residential address (utility bill, bank statement, lease, government mail)
  • Proof of legal name change if applicable (marriage certificate, court order)

Louisiana operates OMV offices statewide. The state also allows certain services through its online portal at expresslane.org. Louisiana is one of the few states offering a digital ID option through the LA Wallet app, which is accepted by Louisiana law enforcement and TSA at participating airports.

Birth Certificate

Agency: Louisiana Vital Records Registry

Cost: $15 (certified copy)

Online ordering: Yes

Processing: Walk-in: same day at New Orleans office. Mail: 4-8 weeks. Online through VitalChek: 5-10 business days

Order online: ldh.la.gov/page/vital-records

Louisiana birth certificates can be ordered in person at the Vital Records Registry in New Orleans, by mail, or online through VitalChek. Louisiana birth records are maintained centrally by the state. Parish clerk of court offices in some parishes may also issue certified copies for births in their parish.

Special Programs & Fee Waivers

Reentry ID Program

The Louisiana Department of Corrections (DOC) operates reentry programs that assist individuals with obtaining identification before release. The department works with the OMV to help returning citizens obtain state IDs. Louisiana also has reentry courts and community-based reentry organizations that provide ID assistance.

Homeless Provisions

Louisiana does not have a formal statewide homeless ID fee waiver program. Local organizations such as the Louisiana Housing Corporation and homeless service providers in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport sometimes assist homeless individuals with ID costs and document gathering.

Fee Waivers

Louisiana does not offer general fee waivers for state IDs. Some community organizations, churches, and reentry programs provide financial assistance for ID fees on a case-by-case basis.

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 Louisiana: $15 (certified copy).
  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 OMV. Cost: $18.
  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 OMV, 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 OMV 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 OMV 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 OMV 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 Louisiana-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 OMV 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 OMV 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 Louisiana, 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 Louisiana 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 LouisianaState 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 Louisiana and register to vote. See our Louisiana voting rights guide.

Step-by-Step Guides

More Louisiana Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I get a Louisiana state ID?
State ID applications are processed at Louisiana OMV offices located throughout the state. You can find your nearest OMV location, check wait times, and schedule appointments through the expresslane.org website.
Can I renew my Louisiana state ID online?
Yes, Louisiana allows eligible ID holders to renew online through the expresslane.org portal. You must meet certain eligibility criteria. Not all renewals qualify for online processing.
How do I get a replacement birth certificate in Louisiana?
Contact the Louisiana Vital Records Registry. You can order in person at the New Orleans office ($15, same day), by mail ($15), or online through VitalChek. You will need valid identification to request a copy.
What is the LA Wallet digital ID?
LA Wallet is Louisiana's official digital driver's license app. It provides a legal digital copy of your driver's license that is accepted by Louisiana law enforcement and TSA at participating airports. It does not replace the need for a physical state ID but serves as a convenient supplement.
Does Louisiana DOC help inmates get ID before release?
Yes, the Louisiana Department of Corrections has reentry programs that help inmates obtain identification documents before release. Case managers assist with gathering birth certificates and Social Security cards and coordinating state ID applications with the OMV.
What if I don't have any identification documents?
Start with your Social Security card, which can be replaced through the Social Security Administration (available online for some applicants). Then order your birth certificate from the Louisiana Vital Records Registry or your state of birth. Local legal aid organizations like Southeast Louisiana Legal Services can help navigate the process.

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