You can get a temporary ID from your state’s motor vehicle agency, usually the same day you apply, by bringing proof of identity, your Social Security number, and proof of residency. The paper document stands in for your permanent driver’s license or state ID card while the plastic one is printed and mailed. It works for most everyday situations, but it will not get you through airport security, and a few other uses depend on your state.
Where to Apply
Temporary IDs come from whichever state agency issues driver’s licenses and ID cards where you live. Depending on the state, that office goes by the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Public Safety, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, or the Secretary of State.
Many states also let you request a replacement online when your card was lost or stolen, your information is already on file, and you do not need to update your photo, name, or address. If your appearance has changed significantly or you need a name change, plan on going in person. Check your agency’s website before making the trip, since some offices require appointments.
What to Bring
Requirements vary by state, but most agencies ask for some combination of the following:
- Proof of identity, such as a birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, or your expired driver’s license. Some states accept other government-issued photo IDs.
- Proof of Social Security number, such as a Social Security card, W-2, or pay stub showing your full SSN.
- Proof of residency, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement. Most states want it dated within the last 30 to 90 days.
If you are replacing a lost or stolen ID and the state already has your information on file, the document list is often shorter. One form of identification may be enough.
What Happens at the Office
Bring your application and documents to the counter. The clerk verifies your identity and enters your information into the system. Most offices take a new photo and collect your signature at the same visit.
You pay the replacement fee at this step. Fees vary by state and generally run $10 to $30 for a duplicate or replacement card. Some states waive the fee if the original was defective or damaged through no fault of your own.
In most cases, you walk out with a temporary paper ID that same day. The permanent card arrives by mail in about two to four weeks, depending on your state’s processing volume.
How Long a Temporary ID Lasts
Most interim paper IDs are valid for 30 to 90 days, or until the permanent card arrives, whichever comes first. If the plastic card has not shown up before your paper expires, contact the agency. Most states will extend the temporary or issue a new one while they look into the delay. Letting your identification lapse creates problems for everything from cashing a check to proving your age.
What You Can Use a Temporary ID For
A temporary ID works for most everyday situations where you need to prove who you are:
- Opening a bank account, though many banks want a second form of identification alongside it.
- Proving your age. Some states explicitly allow temporary licenses for alcohol and tobacco purchases, though individual retailers can refuse paper documents.
- Traffic stops and other law enforcement contact. A valid temporary shows you hold a current license.
- Picking up packages or certified mail from delivery services and the post office.
Starting a New Job
A state-issued driver’s license or ID qualifies as a List B document that establishes identity on Form I-9, and employers should accept it even with restrictive notations.1U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. List B Documents That Establish Identity
If your replacement has not arrived yet and all you have is a receipt showing you applied for one, the employer can accept that receipt as a temporary substitute. The receipt is good for 90 days from your hire date, and within that window you have to present the actual replacement or another acceptable document.2U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Acceptable Receipts One catch: employers cannot accept receipts at all if the job lasts fewer than three days.3U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Receipts
Voting
Whether a temporary paper ID works at the polls depends on your state’s voter ID law. Some states accept any government-issued photo ID, which would include a temporary with a photo. Others publish a specific list, and a paper temporary may or may not appear on it. States with strict photo ID rules sometimes offer a provisional ballot or exception process for voters whose permanent ID has not arrived. Check with your state or county election office before Election Day.
Where a Temporary ID Falls Short: Air Travel
This is the biggest limitation. Since May 7, 2025, REAL ID enforcement has been in effect at airports. Domestic travelers need a REAL ID-compliant license, a passport, or another federally approved document to clear security.4Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID
A temporary paper driver’s license is not on TSA’s list. The agency puts it directly: “A temporary driver’s license is not an acceptable form of identification.”5Transportation Security Administration. Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint
If a paper temporary is all you have and you need to fly, TSA offers an alternative identity verification process called ConfirmID for travelers who have lost their ID or do not have an acceptable form. It involves additional screening, so arrive earlier than usual.6Transportation Security Administration. About TSA ConfirmID The better plan is a passport or passport card as a backup. Either clears the checkpoint regardless of what is happening with your state ID.
Mobile Driver’s Licenses
A growing number of states now issue mobile driver’s licenses that live in your phone’s digital wallet. TSA accepts these at more than 250 airport checkpoints, provided the mobile ID is based on a REAL ID-compliant license.7Transportation Security Administration. Participating States and Eligible Digital IDs
As of early 2026, more than 20 states and territories participate, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Utah, and Virginia. Adding your license to your phone before your wallet goes missing gives you a backup a paper temporary cannot match. TSA still recommends carrying a physical ID too, but the digital version alone can get you through the checkpoint at participating airports.8Transportation Security Administration. Digital Identity and Facial Comparison Technology
A Note for Non-Citizens
The temporary paper ID described above is the interim document a state issues while your permanent card is printed. It is not the same as a “temporary or limited-term” ID that federal regulations require states to issue to non-citizens with temporary lawful status, which has its own rules. Non-citizen applicants go through a federal SAVE check that verifies immigration status using an identifier such as an A-Number, I-94 number, SEVIS ID, naturalization or citizenship certificate number, or I-797 receipt number.9U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Verification Process The card cannot extend beyond the expiration of the person’s authorized stay, or beyond one year if no expiration date exists.10eCFR. 6 CFR 37.21 – Temporary or Limited-Term Driver’s Licenses and Identification Cards
How to Avoid an ID Gap
- Renew early. Most states let you renew before your license or ID expires, and starting a month or two ahead usually gets the new card in hand before the old one lapses.
- Set up a mobile ID if your state offers one. It takes minutes and survives a lost wallet.
- Keep a passport or passport card. It works for air travel, I-9 verification, and most other identity needs.
- Photocopy your license, Social Security card, and birth certificate, and keep the copies somewhere secure. Replacements move faster when you can produce them.