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How to Get ID & Documents in Minnesota

Minnesota issues state identification cards through Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), which is part of the Department of Public Safety. The state offers reduced-fee IDs for homeless youth and has active reentry programs to help formerly incarcerated individuals obtain identification.

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Quick Answer

To get a state ID in Minnesota, visit a DVS exam station with a birth certificate or passport, Social Security card, and one proof of Minnesota residency. A standard state ID costs $21.75. Minnesota offers reduced-fee IDs for homeless youth and has DOC reentry programs for returning citizens.

Minnesota ID Agency

Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS)

Website: dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/Pages/default.aspx

Phone: (651) 297-3298

State ID Card

Cost: $21.75

REAL ID: $21.75 (REAL ID compliant included at no extra charge)

Processing: Temporary document issued same day; permanent card mailed within 2-3 weeks

Online renewal: Yes

Requirements:

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

Minnesota requires only one proof of residency, which is less burdensome than many states. DVS exam stations process ID applications. Some deputy registrar offices also handle ID services. Minnesota offers both REAL ID and Standard ID options. Appointments are recommended but walk-ins may be accepted at some locations.

Birth Certificate

Agency: Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records

Cost: $26 (certified copy)

Online ordering: Yes

Processing: Walk-in: same day at Saint Paul office. Mail: 4-8 weeks. Online: 5-10 business days

Order online: health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/index.html

Minnesota birth certificates can be ordered in person at the Office of Vital Records in Saint Paul, by mail, or online. County vital records offices may also issue birth certificates for births in their county, sometimes with faster processing. Minnesota charges $26 for a certified copy, which is on the higher end.

Special Programs & Fee Waivers

Reentry ID Program

The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) operates reentry programs that assist individuals with obtaining identification before release. Case managers help inmates gather necessary documents and coordinate with DVS for state ID applications. The DOC's reentry unit works to ensure returning citizens have valid ID upon release.

Homeless Provisions

Minnesota offers reduced-fee state ID cards for homeless youth. The program is designed to remove barriers to identification for young people experiencing homelessness. Adult homeless individuals may also receive assistance through local organizations such as Simpson Housing Services and People Serving People in the Twin Cities.

Fee Waivers

Minnesota provides reduced-fee IDs for homeless youth. No general fee waiver exists for all homeless individuals, but community organizations and county social services offices sometimes provide financial assistance for ID fees. Some veterans may be eligible for fee assistance through county veteran service offices.

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 Minnesota: $26 (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 DVS. Cost: $21.75.
  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 DVS, 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 DVS 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 DVS 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 DVS 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 Minnesota-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 DVS 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 DVS 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 Minnesota, 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 Minnesota 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 MinnesotaState 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 Minnesota and register to vote. See our Minnesota voting rights guide.

Step-by-Step Guides

More Minnesota Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I get a Minnesota state ID?
State ID applications are processed at DVS exam stations and some deputy registrar offices across Minnesota. Find your nearest location on the DVS website. Appointments are recommended at DVS exam stations. Deputy registrar offices often accept walk-ins.
How do homeless youth get a reduced-fee ID in Minnesota?
Minnesota offers reduced-fee state ID cards for homeless youth. Contact a local shelter, youth services organization, or county social services office for assistance. Organizations like Youthlink in Minneapolis can help navigate the process and may provide documentation of homeless status.
Can I renew my Minnesota state ID online?
Yes, Minnesota allows eligible ID holders to renew online through the DVS website. You must meet certain criteria including having a current valid ID and no changes to your personal information.
How do I get a replacement birth certificate in Minnesota?
You can order a certified copy from the Minnesota Office of Vital Records in Saint Paul ($26), by mail, or online. County vital records offices may also issue copies for births in their county, sometimes with faster turnaround.
Does the Minnesota DOC help inmates get ID before release?
Yes, the Minnesota Department of Corrections operates reentry programs that help inmates obtain identification before release. Case managers assist with ordering birth certificates and Social Security cards and coordinating with DVS for state ID applications.
What documents do I need for a Minnesota REAL ID?
For a Minnesota REAL ID, you need one proof of identity (birth certificate or passport), your Social Security card, and one proof of Minnesota residency. If your name has changed, you also need proof of the legal name change such as a marriage certificate or court order. The cost is the same $21.75 as a standard ID.

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