Driver License & ID Cards

Since July 2, 2018, customers:

• Receive their state driver licenses and identifications cards by mail within 10 business days after visiting a BMV deputy registrar;
• Receive Ohio interim documentation to use until their new card arrives in the mail; and
• Have the option to choose a compliant driver license or identification card that can be used for federal identification purposes.

Compliant Card

• The compliant card has a star in the upper part of the card.
• The compliant card can be used to fly or enter federal facilities, including military bases.
• You must provide additional identity documents to receive a compliant card.
• A Compliant Card cannot be used for international travel. International travel, including Canada and Mexico, still requires a passport.

Standard Card

• A Standard Card cannot be used to fly, enter federal facilities or military bases without additional documentation approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) or other federal requirements, as needed.
• An Ohio standard driver license or identification card needs no additional documentation at time of renewal.

Both cards allow you to prove your identity for tasks such as buying alcohol, obtaining social services, or registering to vote. Only a driver license allows you to lawfully operate a motor vehicle.

NOTE: You will need to provide all required identity documents for a first time issuance of a driver license or identification card, regardless of your choice of a Compliant or Standard card.

See Acceptable Documents for more information.

Obtaining a Compliant Card requires more documentation than the Standard Card. You will need to provide documents to prove the following:

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Legal presence in the US
• Social Security number (SSN)
• Ohio street address – TWO documents, from different sources, proving Ohio street address that are listed on the Acceptable Document List are required for proof of Ohio residency.
• Proof of name change (if applicable)

The Standard Card does not require additional identity documents, unless the driver license or identification card is being issued for the first time.

Is your current legal name the same as the name listed on your BIRTH CERTIFICATE, PASSPORT, or document(s) issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security?

If the answer is NO – You must connect your birth name with your current legal name. You must bring an ORIGINAL or CERTIFIED COPY of the following name change documents to make that connection:

• Original or Certified Copy of a Marriage Certificate or Marriage License
• Certified Copy of a Decree of Divorce, Dissolution, or Annulment of Marriage
• Certified Copy of a Court Ordered Name Change

NOTE: If you have had more than one marriage, you may need to bring documentation from each marriage and/or divorce to connect your birth certificate, passport or U.S. Department of Homeland Security documents to your current legal name.

What Do I Need to Bring

• For a Compliant Card, use this interactive process to assist you with what to bring to a deputy registrar agency: https://bmvonline.dps.ohio.gov/bmvonline/Home/documents/compliantdocuments/.
• For a Standard Card, use this interactive process to assist you with what to bring to a deputy registrar agency: https://bmvonline.dps.ohio.gov/bmvonline/Home/documents/standarddocuments/.

DISCLAIMER: Using these checklists do not guarantee document acceptance or issuance of a driver license or identification card.

No. The Compliant and Standard cards cost the same.

Your current driver license or ID card will be perforated to visually indicate the license is in the process of receiving a new card. The perforation will be in the top left corner of the card. You will leave with the perforated card.

You will receive Ohio interim documentation issued by the deputy registrar location to use until your new card arrives in the mail. Law enforcement will be able to verify the documentation.

• You must carry the interim driver license or identification card documentation until you receive your new card in the mail.
• If you have applied for a driver license or temporary instruction permit, your Ohio interim documentation allows you to operate motor vehicles except for vehicles that require a commercial driver license (CDL) to operate.
• Ohio interim documentation is not valid as a stand-alone document when applying for a CDL or temporary CDL instruction permit.
• Ohio interim documentation only serves as confirmation that an application is pending. It is not a form of identification.

WARNING: The production, distribution, or possession of a forged identification card is prohibited pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 2913.31.

WARNING: The production, distribution, or possession of a forged identification card is prohibited pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 2913.31.

Your new card will arrive in a plain white envelope.

Within the envelope will be a standard letter-sized piece of paper with your address information and your new driver license or identification card.

WARNING: The production, distribution, or possession of a forged identification card is prohibited pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 2913.31.

You will receive your new driver license or ID card by mail. Printing cards in a high-security environment reduces the potential for fraud and identity theft.

• You will receive your new driver license or identification card in the mail within 10 business days after visiting a deputy registrar location.
• Your new card will arrive in a plain, white envelope.
• If you have not received your new card after 28 days, contact us through our website or call 1-844-OHIO-BMV (1-844-644-6268) to check the status of your card.

To monitor and track your mail, the U.S. Postal Service offers a free service called Informed Delivery.

• Learn more or sign up for Informed Delivery.

Undeliverable/Returned Mail

• The BMV will receive any undeliverable/returned DL-ID cards and automatically re-mail the card to the mailing address on file. If the card comes back undeliverable a second time, it will be destroyed and it will be the customer's responsibility to correct their address with the BMV and purchase a new card from a BMV deputy registrar agency.

Minor children under the age of 18, who are flying with their parents, do not need a Compliant Card. Unaccompanied minors who wish to fly commercially will need a Compliant Card or a Standard Card with other federally-approved documentation. See www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification for more information.

Happy birthday! You can renew 30 days prior to your 21st birthday in order to receive your new card in time for the actual day. However, your new card cannot be used to purchase items available to those 21 or older until your actual 21st birthday.