When you visit a licensing office or exam station to apply for a Minnesota identification card, you must present one of the following:
- A current Minnesota driver’s license, identification card or instruction permit.
- A Minnesota driver’s license, identification card or instruction permit which displays your photograph and has been expired for five years or less.
- A Minnesota driver’s license, identification card or instruction permit, which does not display your photograph, that is current or expired for one year or less.
If you cannot provide one of these documents, you must present:
- One primary and one secondary identification document. The primary document must include your full name and the month, day and year of your birth. Documents not in English must be accompanied by a qualified English translation. Documents are subject to verification and may not be accepted if laminated or otherwise altered. If you are a temporary U.S. resident, you may need to show additional proof of your lawful admission period, such as Form I-20, DS-2019, I-797 or other official immigration document or receipt.
For a list of primary and secondary identity documents, please refer to our Identification Requirements.
Photos
A Minnesota driver's license, identification card or instruction permit must have a full-face image. A full-face image is one where the face is not covered. A head covering is acceptable, as long as it does not cover your face.
If you have a religious objection to complying with the driver's license and identification card image requirements, you may petition for a variance. The petition must be made in writing.
Verification of Name Change
Minnesota law requires that you apply for a new identification card within 30 days of legally changing your name.
You must provide your current identification card and a licensed certified marriage certificate, a certified divorce or dissolution of marriage decree specifying the name change or other certified court order specifying the name change, along with the out-of-state application. If you have had a series of name changes, you must provide documentation of all of those changes.
Translation of DocumentsAll documents presented in a language other than English must be accompanied by an English translation. The English translation must be accompanied by a
Certificate of Translation Form documenting that the translation is true and accurate. The translator must not be related to you by blood or marriage and must meet one of the following criteria:
- Accredited by the American Translators Association
- Certified by a court
- Approved by an embassy or consulate of the United States or by a diplomatic or consular official of a foreign country assigned to, or accredited by, the United States
- Affiliated with, or approved by, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services or a government jurisdiction within the United States
- An attorney licensed to practice in the United States or affiliated with such an attorney
- A vendor approved to provide translation service for the state of Minnesota
Social Security Number
Applicants for Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services cards are required to provide their Social Security number (SSN) on the application form. Applicants who have not been issued a SSN must certify this information on the form. Your Social Security number is private information that will be secure on the driver’s license information system and accessible only to those lawfully authorized to access it (See the Data Privacy Page – for more information). Social Security numbers are not located on, or embedded in, driver’s licenses or identification cards.
If you do not have proper identification at the time of application, you can file a petition for variance. The department of Public Safety has 30 days to respond to your variance request.
Please refer to Minnesota Rule 7410.0600 for more information pertaining to variances.
