Applying for a REAL (State) ID

A State ID Card allows you to prove your identity, name, age, and address without showing your passport. The Real ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, was designed to make State ID cards more secure and harder to duplicate or forge. A Real ID is indicated by the star in the upper right-hand corner of your driver’s license, permit, or state identification card. After May 7, 2025, all state ID must comply to the REAL ID standard and individuals boarding domestic US flights and entering federal facilities such as courthouses will need to present a REAL ID or other acceptable forms of identification, such as an unexpired foreign passport.

Simply put, there is no compulsion to have one. You can always use your passport. But, if you are flying domestically inside the US, and if you have a REAL ID, you can leave your passport at home and travel with just the REAL ID. Losing a foreign issued passport and trying to get it replaced in the US can be a headache. So I felt my kid better have it in order for him not to risk walking around with the passport. Its easy enough to get provided you follow the steps in the order below.

Note that if your child wants to drive inside the US, he can get a Indiana driving licence which is also REAL ID compliant. But, to clear any doubts, it’s not necessary to be a driver and have a driving licence in order to apply for a REAL ID i.e. you can have a REAL ID which is not a driving licence. My son is not a driver but he got a REAL ID.

I strongly recommend your child gets a REAL ID!

No. You do not need to have a Social Security Number (SSN) to apply. However, you must have a letter of ineligibility issued to you by the Social Security Administration. This is the next step.

If you have a social security number you can skip this. First, you’re going to have to get a letter from the Social Security Administration that says that they cannot issue you a social security card. Something that looks like this:

To get this, simply go to your nearest social security administration (SSA) office (No appointment needed). I went to the office at 10 S 2nd St, Lafayette, IN 47901.

Bring your passport, Visa, I-20, and I-94 with you.

Once you’re there, at the entrance you will pick a token number and while you wait for your number to be called – pick up one of the SS-5 forms on the table near the security guard table. It looks like this:

Write “WAIVER” on the top of the paper and fill it out (There’s not a box for it, so just write it in the blank space at the top of the paper). You probably won’t fill up everything as they didn’t even check what I had filled.

The important thing to write is your full name and your address. Once one of the people call your token up, give them your filled in form, and the other stuff you brought if they ask you for it. They didn’t ask us for it.

They should give you the letter right away. this step do now with your kids. there is no expiry date to this letter so they can use it. I got this SSA letter in less than 10mins waiting

The step above you can do now with your kids. There is no expiry date to this letter so they can use it at the BMV offices later for applying for the REAL ID.

The process for applying can only begin after the start date shown on the i20- in our case it was 21 Aug 2023. In all likelihood, your child will do this alone- like mine did. He went with a friend who was also applying.

The docs needed are below.

1. ONE proof of identity is required.- Foreign passport with a visa and a printed I-94 form (soft copy will not do)
2. ONE proof of lawful status is required.- again above passport/visa i-94 form will do
3. ONE proof of social security is required- either a SSN (if you have one) or the Letter of ineligibility you got in the step above.
4. TWO printed documents proving your Indiana residency are required such as: Computer-generated bill from a utility company, credit card company, doctor, or hospital, issued within 60 days of the date you visit a BMV branch, and containing your name and address of residence. A Bank statement should do…. I asked Chase Bank to give us printed statements for his two new bank accounts. The University also issues a signed copy of the Housing contract 1-2 weeks after move in. That can serve as One of the Two required proofs. If you opened a Chase bank account outside Indiana, maybe you can open a free PFCU bank account and that should complete the 2 address proofs.

When you are ready with everything above, you can visit

Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) office
2200 Elmwood Ave Suite A6, Lafayette
Tue (8.30am-6.30pm), Wed-Fri (8.30am-5.00pm) Sat (8.30am-12.30pm)
(Sun/ Mon-closed)

Ensure it’s after the start date mentioned on the i-20. They will take your picture and signatures. My son went at 9.30 am and was back at his dorm within an hour.