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 month before it expires either online or at any NCDMV driver license office. State IDs can be renewed online up to one year after the expiration date, otherwise renewals must be done in-person at an NCDMV office.
No-Fee ID Cards
IDs are available at no cost for qualified customers.
| No-fee ID | North Carolina residents who are any one of the following: - At least 17 years old
- Legally blind
- 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.
|
Photo ID Required for Voting
Voters will be asked to show photo ID when voting in North Carolina. For most voters, they will simply show their driver license or state identification card. But there are many other acceptable photo IDs listed at Voter ID | NCSBE. If a voter does not have an acceptable photo ID, they may obtain a No-Fee ID at NCDMV.
Fee
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.