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How to Get ID & Documents in New York

New York issues state identification cards through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), with fees varying by county from $9 to $17. New York City residents also have access to the IDNYC municipal identification program. The state has robust reentry support through the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS).

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Quick Answer

Visit a New York DMV office with proof of identity, Social Security number, and proof of New York residency. A non-driver ID costs $9 to $17 depending on your county. NYC residents can also obtain a free IDNYC municipal ID card. Processing takes about 2 weeks for your permanent card to arrive by mail.

New York ID Agency

Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

Website: dmv.ny.gov

Phone: (518) 486-9786

State ID Card

Cost: $9-$17 (varies by county)

REAL ID: $9-$17 (varies by county)

Processing: About 2 weeks by mail

Online renewal: Yes

Requirements:

  • Proof of identity totaling 6 points (birth certificate = 4 points, Social Security card = 2 points)
  • Proof of date of birth
  • Social Security card or letter from SSA
  • Two proofs of New York residency for REAL ID

New York uses a point-based document verification system. You need documents totaling at least 6 points. A U.S. birth certificate is worth 4 points, a Social Security card is 2 points, and various other documents provide 1-3 points each. Check the DMV ID document guide online for the full list. Fees vary by county — NYC and some upstate counties charge different amounts.

Birth Certificate

Agency: Department of Health - Vital Records Section

Cost: $30

Online ordering: Yes

Processing: 4-6 weeks by mail; varies for in-person requests

Order online: health.ny.gov/vital_records

New York birth certificates can be ordered from the State Department of Health (for births outside NYC) or from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (for NYC births). The state fee is $30 per copy. NYC birth certificates cost $15. Online ordering is available through VitalChek with additional service fees. You must provide photo ID and proof of eligibility.

Special Programs & Fee Waivers

Reentry ID Program

The New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) operates an extensive reentry program that includes identification assistance. DOCCS works with the DMV to help individuals obtain state IDs before release. The state also provides a DOCCS release ID card that can be used as secondary identification. In NYC, the IDNYC program provides free municipal IDs regardless of immigration status or housing situation.

Homeless Provisions

New York has several provisions for homeless individuals. The IDNYC program in New York City provides free municipal identification cards that are accepted by city agencies, banks, and many other institutions. Statewide, organizations such as the Coalition for the Homeless and local social service agencies help with ID acquisition.

Fee Waivers

While the state DMV does not offer a general fee waiver, the IDNYC program in New York City is completely free. Some county social services departments provide financial assistance for state ID costs. Legal Aid Society offices throughout the state may also help cover ID costs for qualifying individuals.

New York Reentry ID Law

Executive Order / DOCCS Policy (9 NYCRR 8003.2(j), 2019)

New York DOCCS provides state-issued photo identification to individuals within 120 days of release. DOCCS coordinates with DMV and partners with community organizations. IDNYC municipal ID is also available to all NYC residents including formerly incarcerated individuals.

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 York: $30.
  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: $9-$17 (varies by county).
  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 York-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 York, 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 York 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 YorkState 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 York and register to vote. See our New York voting rights guide.

Step-by-Step Guides

More New York Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a New York state ID cost?
A New York non-driver identification card costs between $9 and $17 depending on the county where you apply. NYC residents can also get a free IDNYC municipal ID card.
What is IDNYC?
IDNYC is a free municipal identification card available to all New York City residents ages 10 and older, regardless of immigration status or housing situation. It is accepted by city agencies and many banks, cultural institutions, and businesses. You can apply at enrollment centers throughout NYC.
How do I get my New York birth certificate?
For births outside NYC, contact the NYS Department of Health Vital Records Section. The cost is $30. For births in NYC, contact the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene — the cost is $15. Both offer online ordering through VitalChek with additional service fees.
What help is available for getting ID after leaving a New York prison?
The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) provides a release ID card and works with the DMV to help individuals obtain state identification before release. In NYC, the IDNYC program is also available as a free option immediately upon release.
What is the 6-point system for New York DMV?
New York DMV requires documents totaling at least 6 points for ID applications. A birth certificate is worth 4 points, a Social Security card is 2 points, and other documents like utility bills, bank statements, and school records have various point values. Check the DMV website for the full document point chart.
Can I renew my New York ID online?
Yes, eligible New York residents can renew their non-driver ID online through the DMV website. You must have a current or recently expired ID and meet certain eligibility requirements. Not all renewals qualify for online processing.

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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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