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How to Get ID & Documents in New Hampshire

New Hampshire issues state identification cards through the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). With an ID fee of just $10, New Hampshire offers one of the more affordable state IDs in the country. The state has reentry support through the Department of Corrections.

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Quick Answer

Visit a New Hampshire DMV office with proof of identity, Social Security number, and proof of New Hampshire residency. A non-driver identification card costs $10 and is valid for 5 years. Your permanent card is typically mailed within 7-10 business days.

New Hampshire ID Agency

Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

Website: dmv.nh.gov

Phone: (603) 227-4000

State ID Card

Cost: $10

REAL ID: $10

Processing: 7-10 business days by mail

Online renewal: No

Requirements:

  • Proof of identity (birth certificate, valid passport, or other approved document)
  • Social Security card or document showing full SSN
  • Proof of New Hampshire residency (utility bill, bank statement, lease agreement)
  • Proof of legal presence for non-citizens

New Hampshire non-driver ID cards are valid for 5 years. REAL ID-compliant cards require additional documentation. New Hampshire does not currently offer online renewal for state identification cards — you must visit a DMV office in person.

Birth Certificate

Agency: DHHS Division of Vital Records Administration

Cost: $15

Online ordering: Yes

Processing: 4-6 weeks by mail; same day in person at Concord office

Order online: dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/vital-records

New Hampshire birth certificates can be ordered online, by mail, or in person at the Division of Vital Records in Concord or at the town/city clerk where the birth occurred. Online orders go through VitalChek with an additional service fee. You must provide photo ID and proof of eligibility.

Special Programs & Fee Waivers

Reentry ID Program

The New Hampshire Department of Corrections (DOC) provides reentry planning that includes assistance with identification documents. Reentry coordinators help individuals obtain birth certificates, Social Security cards, and state IDs before release. The DOC partners with community organizations to ensure returning citizens have valid identification.

Homeless Provisions

New Hampshire does not have a formal statewide fee waiver for homeless individuals. However, organizations such as the New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness and local Community Action Programs (CAPs) provide financial assistance for ID-related costs.

Fee Waivers

New Hampshire does not offer a general fee waiver program for state IDs. The low $10 cost makes the ID relatively accessible. Some nonprofit organizations and legal aid groups can help cover costs for individuals in financial hardship.

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 New Hampshire: $15.
  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 DMV. Cost: $10.
  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 DMV, 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 DMV 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 DMV 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 DMV 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 New Hampshire-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 DMV 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 DMV 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 New Hampshire, 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 New Hampshire 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 New HampshireState 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 New Hampshire and register to vote. See our New Hampshire voting rights guide.

Step-by-Step Guides

More New Hampshire Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a New Hampshire state ID cost?
A New Hampshire non-driver identification card costs $10 and is valid for 5 years. This is one of the more affordable state IDs in New England.
What documents do I need for a New Hampshire state ID?
You need proof of identity (birth certificate or passport), your Social Security card or a document showing your full SSN, and proof of New Hampshire residency such as a utility bill or bank statement.
How do I get my New Hampshire birth certificate?
You can order a New Hampshire birth certificate from the DHHS Division of Vital Records online, by mail, or in person in Concord. You can also visit the town or city clerk where the birth was registered. The cost is $15 per certified copy.
Can I get help with ID when leaving a New Hampshire prison?
Yes. The New Hampshire Department of Corrections provides reentry planning that includes help obtaining identification documents. Contact your reentry coordinator well before your release date to start the process.
Can I renew my New Hampshire ID online?
No, New Hampshire does not currently offer online renewal for state identification cards. You must visit a DMV office in person to renew your ID.
Do I need a REAL ID in New Hampshire?
A REAL ID-compliant card (marked with a gold star) is required for boarding domestic flights and entering federal facilities. New Hampshire DMV issues REAL ID-compliant cards at the same $10 cost, but you will need additional documentation such as proof of legal presence.

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