How to Get ID with No Documents at All

Step-by-Step Process

1. 1

   Contact a help organization first

   Before you try to navigate government offices on your own, reach out to an organization that helps people get ID. Call 211, visit a homeless shelter or day center, contact your local Legal Aid office, or ask a reentry program for help. These organizations have dedicated staff and volunteers who do this work every day. They know the specific requirements in your state, have relationships with government offices, and can often expedite the process. Many provide this help for free.

2. 2

   Start with your Social Security card (it is free)

   Your Social Security card is often the easiest document to get first because replacement is free and the SSA may accept secondary forms of ID that are easier to obtain. If you have any form of identification at all -- even an expired ID, employee badge, school ID, health insurance card, or military ID -- bring it to your local Social Security office. Call 1-800-772-1213 to make an appointment. Explain your situation to the SSA staff. Even if you have no ID, an SSA representative may be able to verify your identity through other means. A Legal Aid organization can help advocate for you in difficult cases.

3. 3

   Get your birth certificate next

   Once you have your Social Security card (or even just your Social Security number), request your birth certificate from the vital records office in the state where you were born. If you are experiencing homelessness, many states offer free birth certificates through fee waivers. A shelter coordinator or social worker can often request it on your behalf. If you do not know your exact birth information, the vital records office can search their records with whatever information you provide. If cost is a barrier, ask about fee waivers or contact Legal Aid for assistance.

4. 4

   Get your state ID

   With your Social Security card and birth certificate, you now have enough to apply for a state ID at the DMV. Many states offer free or reduced-fee IDs for people experiencing homelessness -- ask about fee waiver programs. If you are coming out of incarceration, ask your reentry coordinator about ID assistance programs. Some states allow prison release documents or DOC identification as proof of identity at the DMV.

5. 5

   Build from there

   Once you have a state ID, Social Security card, and birth certificate, you have the foundation to access everything else -- employment, housing, bank accounts, benefits, healthcare, and more. Keep all your documents in a safe place. Consider making copies (stored separately) and take photos of each document on your phone as backup. Some organizations offer free document storage services for people experiencing homelessness.

What You Need

Understanding the Catch-22

The identity document system in the United States creates a frustrating circular problem: you need a birth certificate to get a state ID, but you may need an ID to get a birth certificate. You need a Social Security card for employment, but you need an ID to replace your Social Security card. This Catch-22 affects millions of Americans, particularly people leaving incarceration, people experiencing homelessness, domestic violence survivors, disaster victims, and anyone who has lost their documents. A 2024 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report documented the serious barriers that people experiencing homelessness face in obtaining identification, noting that REAL ID requirements have made the process even more difficult. The good news is that every state has processes and workarounds for people in this situation -- you just need help finding them.

Legal Aid and Free Legal Help

Legal Aid organizations provide free legal services to low-income individuals, and many have specific programs for identity document recovery. The Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP) in Philadelphia helps nearly a thousand people per year obtain birth certificates. The Colorado ID Project run by Colorado Legal Services assists low-income, disabled, homeless, and elderly residents with identity documentation. Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. runs an ID Ministry that helps people obtain documents. These are just a few examples -- Legal Aid offices across the country help with this issue. To find your local Legal Aid office, visit lawhelp.org or call 211.

Reentry Programs for People Leaving Incarceration

If you were recently released from prison or jail, reentry programs are your best resource for ID assistance. Most state Departments of Corrections have reentry units that help with document acquisition before or after release. Michigan's Returning Citizen Identification Program has helped over 30,000 people get government IDs. Illinois, Connecticut, Delaware, Colorado, California, and many other states have formal programs. The federal Second Chance Act provides funding for reentry programs nationwide. Contact your parole or probation officer, or call your state DOC's reentry services office. The U.S. Department of Labor's Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO) program also funds organizations that help with ID and employment services.

Homeless Services and Shelter-Based Programs

If you are experiencing homelessness, homeless service organizations are often the best starting point. Many shelters and day centers have case managers who help residents obtain ID documents as a core part of their services. In many states, shelter coordinators can request birth certificates on behalf of residents, certify homeless status for fee waivers, and assist with DMV applications. Organizations like The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center (Dallas), The Stewpot (Dallas), Street Sense Media (D.C.), and countless others nationwide provide direct ID assistance. Contact your local shelter, visit a homeless day center, or call 211 to find help near you.

What If You Were Born in a Different State

If you were born in a different state from where you currently live, getting your birth certificate can be more complicated and take longer. A Legal Aid organization or social worker can help you navigate this process. VitalChek (vitalchek.com) allows you to order birth certificates from most states online, though there are fees. Some Legal Aid organizations will cover out-of-state birth certificate fees for their clients. Some states have reciprocal arrangements that make it easier to obtain records from other states. The key is to start the process as soon as possible, because mail-order birth certificates from out-of-state can take 2 to 12 weeks.

Alternative and Secondary ID Documents

When you do not have primary ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport), many government agencies accept combinations of secondary documents. The SSA may accept employee IDs, school IDs, or health insurance cards as secondary identification. Some DMVs accept combinations of non-photo documents. Washington state, for example, has a "B List" system where applicants without standard ID can present combinations of alternative documents including school transcripts, professional licenses, military discharge papers, or concealed weapons permits. The specific alternatives vary by state, which is why working with a local help organization is so valuable -- they know exactly what your state accepts.

Prison Release Documents Can Help

If you were recently released from prison or jail, your release documents are valuable starting points. Many states accept prison release papers, DOC identification cards, parole or probation documentation, and inmate records as forms of identity verification. New Jersey's vital records office explicitly accepts legal imprisonment, conviction papers, or release documents that include the person's name and Social Security number for birth certificate applications. Even if your state DMV does not directly accept prison documents, a reentry organization can help you use these documents as stepping stones to get your other documents.

Domestic Violence Survivors

If you left an abusive situation and your documents were left behind, destroyed, or controlled by your abuser, there are specific protections and assistance programs available. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) can connect you with local organizations that help survivors obtain replacement documents. Many domestic violence shelters have staff who assist with ID recovery. Some states have address confidentiality programs that allow DV survivors to use a substitute address for official documents. If you are in immediate danger, safety comes first -- document replacement can happen once you are safe.

Tips for the Process

Be patient but persistent. The process of rebuilding your documents from scratch can take weeks or even months. Each document you get makes the next one easier. Start with whichever document is most accessible to you -- usually the Social Security card since it is free and the SSA may accept the widest range of secondary ID. Write down all your personal information (SSN, date of birth, place of birth, parents' names) and keep it somewhere safe. Make multiple copies of every document you receive. Take photos of your documents on your phone as backup. Ask about fee waivers for every single document -- they exist but you have to ask. And remember: millions of people have been exactly where you are and successfully rebuilt their identity documents. You can do this.

Frequently Asked Questions

I have absolutely no ID at all. Where do I start?

Start by calling 211 or visiting a local shelter, Legal Aid office, or reentry program. Tell them you have no identification documents and need help. They can assess your situation and guide you through the process step by step. You do not have to figure this out alone.

How long does the whole process take if I am starting from zero?

If you have help from an organization, you can often get a Social Security card in 2 to 3 weeks, a birth certificate in 2 to 8 weeks (longer if from out of state), and a state ID within a few days after you have the other documents. Total time from zero to having a state ID is typically 4 to 12 weeks. Having organizational support can significantly speed up the process.

What if I do not know my Social Security number?

Visit your local Social Security office and explain your situation. With enough identifying information (your name, date of birth, place of birth, parents' names), the SSA can look up your Social Security number in their records. Bring any documents you have, even expired ones. A Legal Aid representative can help if the process is difficult.

I was just released from prison and have nothing. What do I do?

Contact your parole or probation officer immediately and ask about ID assistance programs. Many state DOCs have reentry coordinators who can help. If your state has a returning citizen ID program, you may be able to get a state ID using your prison release documents. Also contact your local Legal Aid office, a reentry organization, or call 211 for referrals to ID assistance near you.

I am homeless. Can I still get an ID without a permanent address?

Yes. Many states have specific provisions for people experiencing homelessness to get IDs without traditional proof of address. Shelters and social service agencies can provide letters verifying your location. Many states offer free or reduced-fee IDs through homeless fee waiver programs. Start by visiting a shelter or calling 211.

My birth certificate is from another country. What do I do?

Contact your country's embassy or consulate in the U.S. to request a copy of your foreign birth certificate. If you are a U.S. citizen born abroad, contact the U.S. State Department for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. If you are a naturalized citizen, you can use your Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship instead of a birth certificate. Immigration legal services organizations can help navigate this process.

Can a friend or family member vouch for my identity?

In some limited circumstances, yes. Some government agencies accept affidavits (sworn statements) from people who can attest to your identity. The rules vary by state and agency. This is more common in rural areas and smaller communities. A Legal Aid attorney can advise you on whether this option is available in your situation.

What do I do while I am waiting for my documents?

While waiting for documents, you can still access some services. Many social service agencies will accept alternative forms of identification to provide emergency services. Food banks often do not require ID. Some employers will hire you with a Social Security number verification letter (available at SSA offices) while you wait for your physical card. Ask case managers and service providers what they can do while your documents are being processed.