What you need to bring to jury duty

No, you do not need a REAL ID card for jury duty. Most courts accept a standard driver's license, state ID card, or passport as proof of identity. Some courts will also accept a military ID, tribal ID, or employee badge with a photo. The specific documents a court will take depends on that court's local rules, which vary by state and sometimes by county.

When you receive a jury summons, it will usually list what forms of ID the court accepts. If the summons does not say, call the court's jury office directly — they can tell you in one conversation what to bring. Showing up without any ID at all can result in the court dismissing you from the jury pool or rescheduling your service.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard driver's license or state ID card is sufficient for jury duty in all U.S. courts; REAL ID is not required.
  • Your jury summons or the court's website will specify which forms of ID that particular court accepts.
  • If you do not have a driver's license or state ID, a passport, military ID, or tribal ID will work in most courts.
  • Calling the court's jury office before your service date is the fastest way to confirm what documents to bring.

Why courts ask for ID at all

Courts require ID to verify that you are the person who was summoned. Jury duty is a legal obligation tied to a specific person's name and address. When you arrive, the court staff needs to confirm you are who the summons was sent to, and that you have not sent someone else in your place.

This is also a security measure. Courthouses are public buildings, but jury deliberation rooms and certain court proceedings are restricted. ID helps staff manage who enters different areas of the building and when.

Which documents courts typically accept

A current or recently expired driver's license is the most common form of ID courts accept. A state-issued ID card (the non-driver version) works just as well. If you do not drive, you can get a state ID card from your Department of Motor Vehicles or equivalent agency in your state — this is a separate document from a driver's license and costs less.

Courts also accept U.S. passports, military ID cards, tribal identification cards, and in some cases employee badges with a photo and name. A few courts will accept a school ID if it has your photo and current date. Expired documents are sometimes accepted if the photo is still recognizable and the expiration is recent, but do not count on it — bring a current ID if you have one.

What courts do not accept: credit cards, library cards, voter registration cards, or documents without a photo. A birth certificate alone is not enough, even though it is an official government document.

How REAL ID differs from a standard ID

REAL ID is a federal security standard that applies to air travel and entry to federal buildings. A REAL ID-compliant driver's license or state ID has a star or other marking in the upper right corner. Starting in May 2025, you will need a REAL ID card to board a domestic flight in the United States.

Jury duty has no such requirement. Courts do not check for the REAL ID marking. A standard driver's license or state ID issued before REAL ID compliance became mandatory will work for jury service. You do not need to upgrade to a REAL ID card just to serve on a jury.

What to do if you do not have ID

If you do not have a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID, contact the court's jury office as soon as you receive your summons. Explain what documents you do have. Some courts have flexibility and may accept alternative forms of identification, or they may reschedule your service to give you time to obtain an ID.

Getting a state ID card is usually faster than getting a passport. Visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website to find the nearest office, learn what documents you need to bring (usually a birth certificate and proof of address), and check whether you can make an appointment. The process typically takes a few days to a few weeks depending on your state.

What happens if you forget your ID

If you arrive at the courthouse without ID, tell the jury staff when ready. Do not try to proceed without it. The court may dismiss you from that day's jury pool, reschedule your service to a later date, or ask you to step out while they verify your identity through other means (such as checking your summons against court records).

Being dismissed or rescheduled is not a penalty — courts understand that people forget things. However, if you are rescheduled, you will receive a new summons for a different date, and you will need to bring ID that time. Ignoring a rescheduled summons can result in a fine or a court order to appear.

Checking your specific court's rules

Court rules vary. A federal court in one state may have different ID requirements than a state court in the same state. Some courts post their jury instructions online, including what to bring. Others do not publish this information and expect you to call.

The safest approach: when you receive your summons, read it carefully for any mention of ID or what to bring. If it does not say, look up your court's website and search for "jury duty" or "juror information." If you still cannot find the answer, call the court's jury office. The phone number is usually on the summons itself or on the court's website. Calling takes five minutes and removes all doubt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an expired ID for jury duty?

It depends on the court and how recently it expired. A driver's license that expired a few months ago will usually be accepted if the photo is still clearly you. A passport that expired years ago may not be. Call the court to ask about your specific ID before you show up.

What if I lost my ID and do not have time to replace it before jury duty?

Contact the court's jury office and explain the situation. They may reschedule you to a later date, or they may ask you to bring other documents that prove your identity, such as a birth certificate and a utility bill with your name and address. Do not skip jury duty without calling first.

Is a REAL ID required for federal court jury duty?

No. Federal courts have the same ID requirements as state courts. A standard driver's license or state ID is sufficient. REAL ID is only required for air travel and federal building access, not for jury service.

Can I bring a photocopy of my ID instead of the original?

No. Courts need to see the original document to verify it is genuine. Bring the actual ID card or passport, not a copy.

What if I do not have a photo ID at all?

Contact the court when ready and explain what documents you do have. Some courts may work with you, but most require some form of photo identification. Getting a state ID card from your Department of Motor Vehicles is usually the fastest solution if you do not have a driver's license or passport.