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How to Get ID & Documents in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania issues state identification cards through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). The state offers free state IDs for veterans and individuals experiencing homelessness, and has reentry support through the Department of Corrections for formerly incarcerated individuals.

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Quick Answer

Visit a PennDOT Driver License Center with proof of identity, Social Security card, and two proofs of Pennsylvania residency. A state ID costs $31.50 and is valid for 4 years. Pennsylvania offers free photo IDs for veterans and individuals experiencing homelessness. You can schedule your visit online to reduce wait times.

Pennsylvania ID Agency

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)

Website: penndot.pa.gov

Phone: (717) 412-5300

State ID Card

Cost: $31.50 (free for veterans and homeless individuals)

REAL ID: $31.50

Processing: About 2 weeks by mail

Online renewal: Yes

Requirements:

  • Proof of identity (birth certificate, passport, or other primary document)
  • Social Security card or document showing full SSN
  • Two proofs of Pennsylvania residency (utility bill, bank statement, lease, tax record)
  • Proof of legal presence for non-citizens

Pennsylvania state IDs are valid for 4 years. REAL ID-compliant cards require proof of legal presence, full SSN, and two proofs of PA residency. Free photo IDs are available for veterans (with DD-214 or VA card) and individuals experiencing homelessness (with a letter from a shelter or social service agency). PennDOT also offers free voter ID cards for registered voters.

Birth Certificate

Agency: Division of Vital Records

Cost: $20

Online ordering: Yes

Processing: 4-6 weeks by mail

Order online: health.pa.gov/topics/certificates/Pages/Certificates.aspx

Pennsylvania birth certificates can be ordered online through the DRIVE system or VitalChek, by mail, or through the county Register of Wills for births in certain counties. The state fee is $20 per copy. For births in Allegheny County, Erie County, and Philadelphia, certificates are obtained from those counties' vital records offices. You must provide valid ID and proof of eligibility.

Special Programs & Fee Waivers

Reentry ID Program

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) operates reentry programs that include identification assistance. The DOC works with PennDOT to help individuals obtain state identification cards before release. The state also partners with community reentry organizations such as the Pennsylvania Reentry Council to provide comprehensive reentry support including ID acquisition.

Homeless Provisions

Pennsylvania offers free state photo identification cards for individuals experiencing homelessness. Applicants need a letter from a shelter, transitional housing facility, or homeless service agency confirming their homeless status. This program removes the financial barrier to obtaining official identification.

Fee Waivers

Pennsylvania provides free state photo IDs for veterans and individuals experiencing homelessness. The state also offers free voter ID cards for registered voters who lack other qualifying photo identification. Some county assistance offices and nonprofit organizations provide additional financial assistance for ID costs.

Pennsylvania Reentry ID Law

Act 59 of 2020 (61 Pa. C.S. 5073, 2020)

Requires the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections to assist individuals in obtaining a PennDOT-issued identification card before release. DOC and PennDOT coordinate for in-facility processing. Veterans and individuals experiencing homelessness receive free IDs.

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 Pennsylvania: $20.
  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 PennDOT. Cost: $31.50 (free for veterans and homeless individuals).
  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 PennDOT, 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 PennDOT 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 PennDOT 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 PennDOT 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 Pennsylvania-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 PennDOT 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 PennDOT 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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania 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 PennsylvaniaState 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 Pennsylvania and register to vote. See our Pennsylvania voting rights guide.

Step-by-Step Guides

More Pennsylvania Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Pennsylvania state ID cost?
A standard Pennsylvania state identification card costs $31.50 and is valid for 4 years. However, free photo IDs are available for veterans, individuals experiencing homelessness, and registered voters who need a voter ID card.
Can I get a free ID in Pennsylvania?
Yes, Pennsylvania offers free photo IDs for veterans (bring your DD-214 or VA card), individuals experiencing homelessness (bring a letter from a shelter or social service agency), and registered voters who lack qualifying photo identification (free voter ID card).
How do I get my Pennsylvania birth certificate?
You can order a Pennsylvania birth certificate online through the DRIVE system or VitalChek, by mail from the Division of Vital Records, or through the county Register of Wills for certain counties. The cost is $20 per certified copy. Births in Philadelphia, Allegheny County, and Erie County have separate offices.
What help is available when leaving a Pennsylvania prison?
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections provides reentry programs that include help with identification documents. The DOC coordinates with PennDOT to help individuals obtain state IDs before release. The Pennsylvania Reentry Council and local reentry organizations also offer assistance.
What is a REAL ID in Pennsylvania?
A REAL ID is a federally compliant identification card marked with a gold star, required for boarding domestic flights and entering federal facilities. Pennsylvania PennDOT issues REAL ID-compliant cards at the same $31.50 cost. You need additional documentation including proof of legal presence and two proofs of PA residency.
Can I renew my Pennsylvania ID online?
Yes, eligible Pennsylvania residents can renew their state ID online through the PennDOT website. You must have a current or recently expired ID and meet certain eligibility criteria. Online renewal is not available for REAL ID upgrades — those require an in-person visit.

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