The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles offers identification cards for customers who require a photo ID but do not require a driver license. Under North Carolina law, holders of these non-operator IDs are not permitted to operate a motor vehicle.
When applying for an ID card for the first time, an individual must visit
an NCDMV driver license office with the following documents:
Notes:
Renewing a State ID
Individuals can renew their state ID up to six months before it expires either online or at any NCDMV driver license office.
Please note: If your ID is expired, you will need to visit a driver license office to renew it.
Fee
No-Fee ID Cards
IDs are available at no cost for qualified customers.
| No-fee ID | North Carolina residents who are either: - Legally blind
- Over 70 years old
- Homeless
- Had a license that was canceled because of a disability or disease
| - Individuals who are legally blind must present a letter from a physician or the director of the
N.C. Division of Services for the Blind.
- Individuals who are homeless must present a letter from the director of a facility that provides care or shelter to the homeless that verifies that the person is homeless.
|
| No-fee ID for citizens with developmental disabilities | North Carolina residents diagnosed with a developmental disability | - Individuals
– or their legal guardian – must complete an
Application for Identification Card.
- Applicants must have their primary care providers complete the form's Physician Section or sign a letter certifying that the applicant has a developmental disability.
|
Homebound Customer Requests
Residents who want to obtain an ID card but are unable to appear at an NCDMV driver license office because of a severe disability may request homebound assistance by:
- Completing the Homebound Service Request form
- Contacting NCDMV online
- Calling Central Issuance at (919) 861-3030
- Sending a fax to (919) 615-7289
- Requesting by mail from the Central Issuance Unit, 3176 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27697-3176
Please note: To be eligible for homebound assistance, the resident must present a letter from a physician certifying that the resident is homebound and must, as described above, provide proof of age and identity, a valid Social Security number and proof of citizenship and residency.