On almost every U.S. identification document, the issue date is printed on the front, near your photo and personal details. That is where to find the issue date on an ID or passport, whether you are looking at a driver’s license, a state ID, a U.S. passport book, a passport card, or a Green Card. The exact label varies — you might see “Issue Date,” “ISS,” “Date Issued,” “DOI,” or “Date of Issue” — but it sits alongside your name, date of birth, and expiration date.
Driver’s Licenses and State ID Cards
Each state designs its own license and ID card, so layouts vary. The issue date consistently appears on the front, though. Look near your photograph or just below your date of birth. Most states label the field “ISS,” “Issue Date,” or “DOI.” The format is typically MM/DD/YYYY, with some states using MM-DD-YYYY or spelling out the month.
U.S. Passport Books
In a U.S. passport book, the issue date is on the data page, the laminated page near the front that shows your photo, full name, nationality, and date of birth. The field is labeled “Date of Issue” and sits alongside the expiration date. Newer “Next Generation” passport books use a polycarbonate data page with laser-engraved details, but the issue date stays in the same place.1U.S. Department of State. After You Get Your New Passport
U.S. Passport Cards
On a U.S. passport card, the issue date is on the front, typically near the bottom. It carries the same “Date of Issue” label used in the passport book.1U.S. Department of State. After You Get Your New Passport
Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards)
A Green Card shows its issue date on the front, near the bottom, alongside the expiration date and your USCIS number. Depending on the card version, the field may read “Card Was Produced” or simply appear as a date near the “Card Expires” line.
One thing trips people up. The Green Card also carries a “Resident Since” date, and that is not the issue date. “Resident Since” records when you became a lawful permanent resident, which can be years before the physical card in your hand was printed. The issue date refers only to when that specific card was produced. If you file Form I-90 to renew an expiring Green Card, the new card’s issue date resets, but “Resident Since” stays the same.
Social Security Cards
Social Security cards issued since April 2007 have the issue date printed below the signature line.2Social Security Administration. POMS RM 10201.055 – Social Security Number (SSN) Card History Older cards probably have no issue date at all. The earliest versions from the 1930s included a typed “date of issue,” but that field was removed from the design in 1940.3Social Security Administration. History of Design Versions of the SSN Card If you are looking at a pre-2007 card and cannot find a date, that is normal. It is not there.
Issue Date vs. Expiration Date
The issue date marks the start of your document’s validity period, meaning when the card was created or your renewal took effect. The expiration date marks the end. On most IDs the two sit close together on the card’s face, which is where the confusion usually starts. They look alike, they are formatted the same way, and people mix them up more often than you would expect.
Validity periods vary by document. A driver’s license is typically valid for four to eight years from the issue date, depending on the state. A U.S. passport book issued to an adult is valid for 10 years. A Green Card for a permanent resident is generally valid for 10 years from the issue date. In each case the expiration date is calculated from the issue date, so the two are linked, but only the expiration date tells you when the document stops working.
What If the Issue Date Is Unreadable
Cards that live in wallets take a beating. If the issue date on your driver’s license or state ID has faded or worn away, request a replacement through your state’s motor vehicle agency. Most states allow in-person replacements for damaged cards, and some offer online replacement for driver’s licenses. Expect to pay a fee, provide a current photo, and verify your identity. The replacement card will carry a new issue date reflecting when it was produced.
For a damaged passport, apply for a replacement through the State Department; there is no simple reprint. For a Green Card with an illegible date, file Form I-90 with USCIS. Do not wait until you need the document for travel or a new job to discover the date is unreadable. Replacements take weeks, and rushing usually means paying expedited fees on top of the standard cost.
A Note on Green Card Renewals
If you have filed Form I-90 to renew a Green Card, USCIS currently extends the expired card’s validity by 36 months from the “Card Expires” date printed on the front, and you will receive a Form I-797 receipt notice confirming the extension.4U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. USCIS Extends Validity of Expired Permanent Resident Cards from 24 Months to 36 Months for Renewals The dates on the physical card still read the same; the extension comes from the receipt notice, not from anything reprinted on the card itself.