There is no minimum age to get an ID in most cases. A U.S. passport can be issued to a newborn, and state-issued identification cards are available at any age in the majority of states. The only ID with a real age floor is a driver’s license, and even those start with learner’s permits as young as 14 in a handful of states. How old you have to be to get an ID depends entirely on which ID you mean.
State ID Cards Have No Age Minimum
A state identification card is the simplest form of government photo ID, and most states will issue one to an applicant of any age. These cards don’t grant driving privileges. They exist to verify identity and age for everyday situations: opening a bank account, enrolling in school, picking up prescriptions, or entering age-restricted venues. For anyone who doesn’t drive or isn’t old enough for a license, a state ID is the practical option.
For children and teenagers, a parent or legal guardian usually needs to come along to the motor vehicle office and sign the application. Many states let a parent’s proof of address stand in for the minor’s own residency documents, since most kids don’t have a utility bill or lease in their name. Some states charge nothing for a minor’s first card. Others charge fees that generally run from around $5 to $40, depending on the state and the validity period.
Driver’s License Age Requirements by Stage
Every state uses a graduated licensing system that phases in driving privileges over time, and the ages at each stage vary more than most people realize. There are three stages:
- Learner’s permit. Allows supervised driving with a licensed adult in the car. The youngest entry age is 14 in states like Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, and Kansas. Most states set the minimum at 15 or 15½, and a few don’t issue permits until 16.
- Provisional or intermediate license. Allows solo driving with restrictions on things like nighttime driving, passenger count, or phone use. This stage typically begins at 16, after the required months on a permit.
- Unrestricted license. Full driving privileges with no curfew or passenger limits. In most states this comes at 17 or 18, though a few states lift all restrictions as early as 16½.
The learner’s permit stage usually lasts six to twelve months, and every state requires a written knowledge test to get one. Moving from a permit to a provisional license means passing a behind-the-wheel test. Most states also require a vision screening; the standard across nearly all states is corrected vision of at least 20/40 in your better eye.
Commercial Driver’s Licenses
Federal law sets a higher bar for commercial driving. You must be at least 21 to operate a commercial motor vehicle across state lines. Some states issue commercial licenses for intrastate driving at 18, but those licenses won’t let you cross state borders with a loaded truck or bus.
U.S. Passports Can Be Issued at Any Age
A passport can be issued at any age, including to newborns. Every U.S. citizen needs their own passport for international air travel, no matter how young. A passport also doubles as proof of citizenship and works as a federally accepted photo ID for domestic purposes, including boarding flights inside the United States.
The cost is lower for children. A passport book for a child under 16 runs $100 in application fees plus a $35 facility acceptance fee, compared with $130 plus $35 for adults 16 and older.1U.S. Department of State. Passport Fees Children’s passports are also valid for only five years instead of ten, so expect to renew more often.
Both Parents Usually Need to Be Involved
For any child under 16, both parents or legal guardians generally must appear in person at the passport acceptance facility with the child and provide consent. The rule exists to prevent international parental abduction, and the State Department enforces it strictly. When both parents can’t show up, there are workarounds:
- If one parent can’t attend, the absent parent signs a notarized Statement of Consent (Form DS-3053) and provides a photocopy of their ID. The notarized form must be submitted within three months of signing.
- If one parent has sole custody, bring a court order granting sole custody, a certified birth certificate listing only one parent, or a death certificate for the other parent.
- If the other parent can’t be located, submit a Statement of Special Family Circumstances (Form DS-5525). The State Department may ask for supporting evidence like a custody or restraining order.
- If neither parent can attend, both must provide notarized consent statements authorizing whoever is bringing the child to apply on their behalf.
These exceptions are spelled out in the State Department’s guidance for children’s passport applications.2Travel.State.Gov. Apply for a Childs Passport Under 16 First-time applicants and all children under 16 apply in person using Form DS-11 at a designated passport acceptance facility, typically a post office, public library, or county clerk office.
Documents You’ll Need When You Apply
Age isn’t usually the sticking point. The document-gathering stage is where most people hit snags, and showing up without the right paperwork means a wasted trip.
Proof of Identity and Citizenship
You’ll need an original or certified document proving who you are and when you were born. The common options are a U.S. birth certificate (the certified version with a raised seal, not a hospital keepsake), an unexpired U.S. passport, or a Certificate of Naturalization. Photocopies won’t be accepted for state IDs and driver’s licenses. If you’ve lost your birth certificate, order a replacement from the vital records office in the state where you were born; it can take several weeks.
Social Security Number
Nearly every state requires proof of your Social Security number. Your Social Security card is the easiest option. A W-2 or SSA-1099 showing your full SSN also works in most states.
Proof of Residency
Most states require one or two documents showing your name and current home address. Utility bills, bank statements, mortgage documents, and lease agreements are the standard options. This is the hardest requirement for minors and young adults to meet on their own, since these documents are usually in a parent’s name. Most states solve this by letting a parent’s residency documents count for a minor applicant. The parent typically needs to accompany the child and may need to sign an affidavit confirming the child lives at that address.
People experiencing homelessness face a steeper barrier. Many states accept letters from shelters, social service agencies, or religious institutions as proof of residency. Some states allow a descriptive address or issue cards without a printed address. Calling the state DMV or a local legal aid office before visiting can save significant frustration.
If You’re Applying in 2026, Ask for a REAL ID
Since May 7, 2025, the TSA no longer accepts standard driver’s licenses or state IDs that aren’t REAL ID-compliant for boarding domestic flights or entering certain federal facilities.3Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID If you’re applying for a new state ID or driver’s license in 2026, the REAL ID version should be the default choice. A REAL ID-compliant card has a gold or black star printed in the upper-right corner.4USAGov. How to Get a REAL ID and Use It for Travel
To get one, bring the documents listed above: proof of identity, proof of your Social Security number, and one or two proofs of residency. Check your state DMV’s specific list before you visit, since some states ask for more.5U.S. Department of Homeland Security. REAL ID Act Text U.S. passports and passport cards are REAL ID-compliant by default, so a child who already has a passport doesn’t need a REAL ID to fly domestically. Children under 18 don’t need to show ID for domestic flights at all.6Transportation Security Administration. Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint
How Long It Takes
State ID cards and driver’s licenses are handled relatively quickly. Most states issue a temporary paper ID at the counter on the day you apply, and the permanent card arrives by mail within one to three weeks. The temporary version is usually valid for 30 to 60 days and accepted as ID in most situations.
Passports take longer. Routine processing currently runs four to six weeks, and expedited processing takes two to three weeks for an extra $60.7U.S. Department of State. Processing Times for U.S. Passports Those timelines cover only the time the application spends at a passport agency. Mailing adds roughly two weeks on each end. If travel is already booked, count backward from the departure date and build in a generous buffer.