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How to Get ID & Documents in North Carolina

North Carolina special identification cards are issued by NCDMV. Under N.C.G.S. § 20-37.7(d)(2), the fee does not apply to an applicant age 17 or older. Other statutory waivers include blindness, specified disability and homelessness. The homeless waiver is subsection (d)(4); subsection (d1) addresses homebound applicants with a physician’s letter, not a prison pre-release program.

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Quick Answer

Apply through NCDMV with the documents on its current state-ID checklist. State IDs are free for residents age 17 or older. Applicants age 16 or younger generally pay $16.75 unless a waiver applies. A standard ID and a REAL ID have different documentation requirements. Ask NCDMV about acceptable residency evidence if staying in a shelter or transitional housing.

North Carolina ID Agency

North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV)

Website: ncdot.gov/dmv

Phone: (919) 715-7000

State ID Card

Cost: $0 for age 17+; $16.75 for age 16 or younger unless a waiver applies

REAL ID: Same age/waiver fee rules; REAL ID requires additional documentation

Processing: Card mailed after the visit; NCDMV currently advises allowing up to 20 business days

Online renewal: Yes

Requirements:

  • Follow NCDMV’s current checklist for proof of identity/date of birth, Social Security number, North Carolina residency and any required lawful-status evidence.
  • REAL ID requires the specified identity/lawful-status and residency documents; check the current list before the appointment.
  • Ask NCDMV which shelter or facility letters it accepts; a correctional release ID is not a universal substitute for every identity document.

The statute ties expiration to the corresponding driver-license expiration rules. Check the card and renewal notice. A county board-of-elections voter photo ID is a separate voting credential and does not replace every use of an NCDMV ID.

Birth Certificate

Agency: North Carolina Vital Records (NC DHHS Division of Public Health) / County Register of Deeds

Cost: $24 at State Vital Records ($15 for each additional copy ordered at the same time); typically $10 in person at the County Register of Deeds where you were born

Online ordering: Yes

Processing: Same-day walk-in at the County Register of Deeds in your county of birth; 2–6 weeks by mail from NC State Vital Records in Raleigh

Order online: vitalrecords.nc.gov

PRO TIP FOR FASTER & CHEAPER BIRTH CERTIFICATES: Do NOT mail an order to the state Vital Records office in Raleigh if you can visit or contact the County Register of Deeds in the North Carolina county where you were born (or any NC county using the statewide vital records system for births from 1971 to present). Most County Register of Deeds offices charge only $10 per certified copy (compared to $24 + VitalChek fees at the state office) and issue the certified birth certificate the same day.

Special Programs & Fee Waivers

Reentry ID Program

Ask your DAC transition coordinator or Local Reentry Council about current pre-release ID and document assistance. This service is not established by § 20-37.7(d1), and the statute does not set a universal 120-day pre-release application period.

Homeless Provisions

Under § 20-37.7(d)(4), a homeless applicant can receive an ID without the fee by presenting a letter from the director of a facility providing care or shelter to homeless persons. Confirm the separate identity and residency documents with NCDMV.

Fee Waivers

§ 20-37.7(d) waives the fee for applicants who are legally blind; age 17+; have a license cancelled for specified disability or disease; are homeless with the required facility-director letter; or have a developmental disability certified by a primary-care provider. There is no extra age-70 category and no voting declaration required for the age-17+ waiver.

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 North Carolina: $24 at State Vital Records ($15 for each additional copy ordered at the same time); typically $10 in person at the County Register of Deeds where you were born.
  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 NCDMV. Cost: $0 for age 17+; $16.75 for age 16 or younger unless a waiver applies.
  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 NCDMV, 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 NCDMV 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 NCDMV 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 NCDMV offices as a valid form of identification. Over 16,700 cards have been issued since October 2023.

The federal release ID is not a 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 North Carolina-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 NCDMV 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 NCDMV 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 North Carolina, 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina State 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 North Carolina and register to vote. See our North Carolina voting rights guide.

Step-by-Step Guides

More North Carolina Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a North Carolina state ID free at age 17 or older?
Yes. § 20-37.7(d)(2) waives the fee for an applicant at least 17 years old; it is not limited to voters who sign a special declaration.
What is the fee if I am 16 or younger?
NCDMV currently lists $16.75, with statutory waivers for qualifying applicants. Check the current fee and document checklist.
How does the homeless fee waiver work?
Subsection (d)(4) calls for a letter from the director of a facility providing care or shelter to homeless persons. Other required documents must still be addressed.
Does § 20-37.7(d1) create a prison pre-release ID program?
No. It directs alternative application/renewal rules for a homebound person with a physician’s severe-disability letter. Ask DAC separately about current reentry ID assistance.

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