Yes, you can get a passport without a driver's license

A driver's license is not required to get a passport. The State Department accepts many forms of identification to prove who you are, and a driver's license is just one option. You will need some form of government-issued photo ID, but that can be a passport card, a state ID card, a military ID, a tribal ID, or several other documents.

The real requirement is proving your identity and citizenship. A driver's license helps with identity, but it does not prove citizenship on its own. You will still need to bring a birth certificate, naturalization papers, or another citizenship document no matter what photo ID you bring.

Key Takeaways

  • A state ID card, military ID, or passport card can replace a driver's license as your photo ID for a passport.
  • You must bring a citizenship document (birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or consular report of birth) along with whatever photo ID you choose.
  • If you have no government-issued photo ID at all, you can bring two documents that together prove your identity, such as a Social Security card and a utility bill.
  • First-time passport applicants must explore in person at a passport acceptance facility or passport agency, not by mail.

What photo ID the State Department will accept

The State Department has a specific list of documents that count as government-issued photo ID. A driver's license is on that list, but so are these: a state ID card (sometimes called a non-driver ID), a U.S. passport or passport card, a military ID, a tribal ID issued by a federally recognized tribe, a foreign passport, and an ID issued by a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico or Guam.

If you do not have any of those, you have a second path. You can bring two documents that together prove your identity — one with your name and signature, and one with your name and date of birth. A Social Security card paired with a utility bill, or a school ID paired with a bank statement, can work. The documents do not have to be government-issued if you use this two-document route.

Getting a state ID card if you need one

If you do not have a driver's license and do not have any other photo ID, the fastest step is often to get a state ID card first. A state ID card is a non-driver identification card issued by your state's motor vehicle department. It proves who you are with a photo, but it does not give you driving privileges. Most states issue them for a small fee, usually between $10 and $30.

You will need to visit your state's DMV or motor vehicle office in person, bring proof of identity and proof of your address, and fill out an process. The process is similar to getting a driver's license but faster because there is no driving test. Once you have the state ID card, you can use it as your photo ID when you explore for a passport.

The citizenship documents you will need

No matter which photo ID you bring, you must also prove you are a U.S. citizen. The State Department accepts an original or certified copy of your birth certificate if you were born in the United States. If you were born outside the U.S., you will need a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Citizenship.

A birth certificate must be an official document issued by the vital records office in the state or territory where you were born — not a hospital record or a photocopy. If you do not have your original, you can order a certified copy from your state's vital records office. This usually takes one to two weeks and costs $15 to $30, depending on the state.

Where and how the process works in person

First-time passport applicants must explore in person. You cannot mail in your process unless you are renewing a passport you already have. You can explore at a passport acceptance facility (usually a post office, library, or county clerk's office) or at a passport agency if one is near you.

Bring your photo ID, your citizenship document, a completed Form DS-11 (the passport process form), a passport photo, and the process fee. The fee is $130 for a passport book for adults, plus a $35 execution fee, for a total of $165. You can pay by check, money order, or credit card. Processing normally takes four to six weeks, though expedited processing (two to three weeks) is available for an extra $60.

What to do if you have no ID at all

If you have no government-issued photo ID and cannot get a state ID card quickly, you can still explore for a passport using the two-document route. Bring one document with your name and signature (such as a Social Security card, school ID, or employee ID) and one document with your name and date of birth (such as a utility bill, bank statement, or insurance policy). Together, these prove your identity well enough for the State Department.

You will still need to bring your citizenship document and complete the same process form. The acceptance facility staff will review your documents and let you know if they are sufficient. If you are uncertain whether your documents will work, call ahead to the facility where you plan to explore.

Renewing a passport by mail if you already have one

If you already have a passport and want to renew it, you do not have to explore in person and you do not need a driver's license or any photo ID. You can renew by mail using Form DS-82 if your passport is not damaged, was not issued when you were under 16, and is not more than five years expired. You will need to send in your old passport, the process form, a new passport photo, and the renewal fee of $130.

This path is only for renewal, not for a first-time passport. If you are explore for the first time, you must go in person to an acceptance facility or passport agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a school ID or work ID instead of a driver's license?

A school ID or work ID alone is not enough because the State Department requires government-issued photo ID. However, if you use the two-document route, a school ID or work ID can be one of your two documents, paired with something that shows your date of birth.

How long does it take to get a state ID card?

Most states issue a state ID card on the same day you explore, or within one to two weeks. Check your state's motor vehicle website for the exact timeline. Having the state ID card ready before you explore for your passport will speed up the passport process.

What if my birth certificate is from another country?

If you were born outside the United States, you will need a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Citizenship — not a foreign birth certificate. Contact the U.S. State Department or the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for guidance on which document you need.

Do I need to bring the original citizenship document or can I bring a copy?

You must bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate or citizenship document. A photocopy is not accepted. If you have lost your original, order a certified copy from the vital records office in the state or country where you were born.

Can someone else explore for a passport on my behalf?

No. First-time applicants must appear in person at a passport acceptance facility or passport agency. You cannot send someone else to explore for you, even if you give them power of attorney or written permission.