👋 Hi there! Starting a new life in the U.S. can involve many documents. If you are still applying for asylum or another way to stay in the U.S., getting an ID card might seem difficult. But not to worry, because there are other ways you can prove who you are!

Verification of Release (VOR): This a special paper with your photo on it that states you left the shelter and are now living with your sponsor/family member.

Community ID cards: Many cities and counties offer these to everyone, regardless of immigration status. Although these community ID cards do not allow you to drive or travel like a regular ID, they can be super helpful for things you need in your area!

Having an ID card can help you:

 📍 Prove your identity and address where you live

 🏘️ Access community activities

 📚 Participate in recreational classes

 🤝 Access social services

 💰 Open a bank account and more

 

You can explore the list below to find your state and see if your city or county offers a community ID program:

  🌴 California

  🏔️ Colorado

  🚗 DMV (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia) and Pennsylvania

  🌞 Florida

  🏙️ Illinois

  🌽 Iowa

  🌻 Kansas

  ⛵ Michigan

  🏖️ New Jersey

  🗽 New York

  🤠 Texas

CALIFORNIA

San Francisco

🔍 Program: SF City ID

📋 Requirements: Proof of identification and residency in San Francisco (letter from homeless shelters are accepted).

📚 Benefits: Discounts at certain stores, access to any public library, parks, and recreation services (such as sports), banks, and more. 

👉 Learn more here.

Oakland

🔍 Program: Oakland City ID

📋 Requirements: Proof of identification and residency in Oakland (accepted forms of identification include driver's license, state ID, passport, and school ID; proof of residency can include utility bills or lease agreements).

📚 Benefits: Accepted by all city departments and agencies, including law enforcement. It can be used for many services and applications such as driver's licenses, college enrollment, food banks, and more!

👉 Learn more here.

Richmond

🔍 Program: Richmond City ID

📋 Requirements: Proof of identification and residency in Richmond (which includes homeless shelters). 

📚 Benefits: Accepted by all city departments and agencies, can be used for driver's license application, college enrollment, transportation tickets, food bank access, bank account opening, medical services, and more!

👉 Learn more about how to apply and the requirements by clicking here.

COLORADO

🔍 Program: Colorado ID Card

📋 Requirements: Residents under the age of 21 need to bring an adult with them to the ID office. The adult should show papers that prove they are their guardian and show their own Colorado driver license.

📚 Benefits: Discounts at certain stores, access to any public library, parks, banks and more!

👉 Learn more here.

 

DELAWARE, MARYLAND, VIRGINIA (DMV) and PENNSYLVANIA

🔍 Organization: CASA

📋 Membership Card: Accepted as ID for immigrant families in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

📚 Benefits: Access to social services, setting up utility services, and more!

👉 Learn more about CASA's programs and how to apply here.

VIRGINIA

🔍 Program: Virginia Driver Privilege Card

📋 Requirements: Proof of identity, residency, and passing a vision test.

📚 Benefits: Allows for driving purposes only and is not accepted as a form of identification by federal agencies or state departments.

👉 Learn more about the Driver Privilege Card and how to apply here.

PENNSYLVANIA

Philadelphia

🔍 Program: PHL City ID

📋 Requirements: Proof of identification and residency in Philadelphia (such as a driver's license, utility bill, or lease agreement).

📚 Benefits: Access to schools and other city buildings, recreation centers, museums, health services, and more!

👉 Learn more here.

CONNECTICUT

Elm City County

🔍 Program: Elm City Resident ID Card

📋 Requirements: Proof of residency in New Haven, specific documents are listed on their website.

📚 Benefits: Valid form of identification, access to city libraries, parks, public transportation, food pantries, and more!

👉 Learn more here.

FLORIDA

Alachua County

🔍 Program: HRC Community ID Program

📋 Requirements: Proof of identification and residency in Alachua County (a list of alternate forms of ID are accepted and listed on their website).

📚 Benefits: Access to local public services, cultural events, business activities, and more!

👉 Learn more here or call (352) 660-7020.

Broward County

🔍 Program: Broward Community ID

📋 Requirements: Various forms of identification accepted, including passport, driver's license, foreign ID card, consular ID, military ID card, or veterans document. Proof of address in Broward County is required.

📚 Benefits: Helps residents identify themselves to law enforcement, schools, banks, health centers, city departments, and more! 

👉 Learn more here.

Miami-Dade County 

🔍 Program: Miami-Dade Community ID

📋 Requirements: Acceptable documents include a passport from any country (even if expired), a Consular ID Card, and proof of residency in Miami-Dade County. 

📚 Benefits: The card can be used in libraries, health centers, social service agencies, and when interacting with law enforcement. 

👉 To learn more and apply through their online portal, click here.

West Palm Beach County

🔍 Program: West Palm Beach Community ID

📋 Requirements: Proof of residency in Palm Beach County.

📚 Benefits: Useful for interactions with law enforcement, access to health centers, schools, businesses, and more!

👉 Learn more here or contact them at 561-655-8944, extension 146. 

ILLINOIS

Chicago

🔍 Program: Chicago CityKey

📋 Requirements: Proof of identification and residency in Chicago (various documents accepted).

📚 Benefits: Access to public transit, libraries, hospitals and clinics, community banks, discounts on recreation and entertainment, and more!

👉 Learn more here. Find out required documents, fees, and application methods here. 

IOWA

Johnson County

🔍 Program: Johnson County Community ID

📋 Requirements: Proof of residency in Johnson County.

📚 Benefits: Identity confirmation, access to libraries, participation in school and city activities, bank account opening at select banks, discounts at participating businesses, and more!

👉 Learn more here.

KANSAS

Kansas City

🔍 Program: Fountain Card

📋 Requirements: Proof of residency in Kansas City (such as a utility bill or lease agreement), photo ID (such as a driver's license, passport, or other forms of ID).

📚 Benefits: Access to Kansas City Water Services, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and other city services!

👉 Learn more here.

MICHIGAN

Kalamazoo

🔍 Program: Kalamazoo County ID

📋 Requirements: Proof of residency in Kalamazoo County.

📚 Benefits: Accepted by police, banks, and other organizations in the community!

👉 Learn more here.

DETROIT

🔍 Program: Detroit ID

📋 Requirements: Proof of identification and residency in Detroit (various documents accepted).

📚 Benefits: Access to city services, applying for a driver's license, opening a bank account, and more!

👉 Learn more here. To apply for the Detroit ID, you must schedule an appointment over the phone at (313) 774-5388 then apply in person at the Detroit ID Enrollment Center.

 

Washtenaw County 

🔍 Program: Washtenaw County ID

📋 Requirements: Proof of identity and residency in Washtenaw County.

📚 Benefits: Valid for 3 years, access to certain services and discounts!

👉 Learn more here.

MINNESOTA

Northfield

🔍 Program: Northfield City ID

📋 Requirements: Proof of residency in Northfield (document dated within last 30 days).

📚 Benefits: You can use this card as a secondary identification at select Northfield banks, access to city programs, services, and activities!

👉 Learn more here.

NEW JERSEY

Newark

🔍 Program: Newark Municipal ID (NMID) Card Program

📋 Requirements: Must be a Newark resident who is at least 14 years old.

📚 Benefits: Receive discounts at restaurants, access libraries, museums, utilize services at hospitals, banks, and more!

👉 Learn more here and access the online application here.

New Brunswick 

🔍 Program: New Brunswick City ID

📋 Requirements: Proof of identification and residency in New Brunswick, valid for residents aged 14 and older. 

📚 Benefits: ID cards display name, date of birth, photo, address, and signature, valid for two years. Discounts at certain establishments, access to public services, and more!

👉 Learn more here. For more information on how to apply, click here.

City of Perth Amboy 

🔍 Program: Perth Amboy City ID

📋 Requirements: Proof of residency in Perth Amboy, available to residents aged 14 and over, regardless of immigration status, and those on parole.

📚 Benefits: Access to city library and many city resources!

👉 Learn more here. You can call them at 732-771-2513 or email cityid@perthamboynj.org.

Asbury Park

🔍 Program: City of Asbury Social Services ID

📋 Requirements: Proof of residency in Asbury Park and age of 14 or above

📚 Benefits: Official ID for accessing city services.

👉 Learn more here. 

Mercer County 

🔍 Program: Mercer County Community ID

📋 Requirements: Proof of identification and residency in Mercer County (e.g. driver's license, utility bill).

📚 Benefits: Access to local resources and services, discounts at participating stores, and more!

👉 Learn more here. To make an appointment for a Community ID, call 609-688-0881 or email idcards@laldef.org.  

NEW YORK 

New York City

🔍 Program: IDNYC

📋 Requirements: Proof of residency in New York City and age of at least 10 years old

📚 Benefits: Access to city services and buildings, valid identification with police, ability to open a bank account, discounts on various services such as movie tickets, sports events, job applications, grocery stores, and more! 

👉 Learn more about how to apply here. To see the required documents, click here.

RHODE ISLAND

Providence

🔍 Program: IDPVD Card

📋 Requirements: Available to residents aged 14 and older with proof of identity and residency.

📚 Benefits: Access discounts at local businesses, services from libraries, and serves as proof of identity and residency!

👉 Learn more here and click here for a list of requirements.

TEXAS

Harris County 

🔍 Program: Harris County Enhanced+ Library Card

📋 Requirements: Verified photo ID and proof of residency in Harris County.

📚 Benefits: Access to books, DVDs, e-books, databases, and electronic resources at all Harris County Public Library locations.

👉 Learn more here.

Dallas 

🔍 Program: Enhanced + Library Card from the City of Dallas

📋 Requirements: Proof of identification, proof of residency, and additional documents may be needed based on what you plan to use the card for.

📚 Benefits: Access to books, DVDs, electronic resources, and more at public libraries. Can also be used in some cases as a form of identification or proof of residency.

👉 Learn more about the card here and how to apply here.

San Antonio

🔍 Program: San Antonio Enhanced Library Card

📋 Requirements: Proof of residency in San Antonio

📚 Benefits: Access to books, DVDs, e-books, databases, and more!

👉 Learn more here.

For more information on the benefits of Community ID programs and the steps to get one, contact us! 

💬 Send us a message on Messenger or WhatsApp.

👉 Follow us on Facebook.