Are state-issued non-driver photo IDs acceptable as "Primary Photo ID" for a US passport application?
There's a list of accepted types of primary and secondary photo IDs at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/requirements/identification.html. One of the options there, listed under "Primary Photo IDs", is an "In-state, fully valid non-driver ID with photo".
But, when I tried to apply for a passport using my in-state, fully valid non-driver ID with photo as my "Primary Photo ID", the acceptance agent told me that a non-driver ID wasn't acceptable by itself; she claimed it would only count as a "Secondary Photo ID", and that I'd need to bring in e.g. a driver's license if I want to avoid using "Secondary Photo IDs" (which also requires that I have an "Identifying Witness" present with me, who has their own valid "Primary Photo ID", and I'm not sure that I know anyone who has a driver's license (NYC) that I can also convince to burn several hours at the post office.)
I tried asking the support email, NPIC@state.gov, about this; they replied with a list of primary photo IDs that contradicts what's shown on the travel.state.gov site and does not include "in-state, fully valid non-driver ID with photo". When I pointed out the contradiction, the support agent avoided my question about whether the Department of State website has incorrect information.
So, either the travel.state.gov website is wrong (!!!), and I need to get a driver's license in addition to my non-driver ID for the sole purpose of applying for a passport, or the two workers I've spoken with so far are wrong, and I need to figure out how to find an acceptance agent who understands the requirements correctly. How can I get an authoritative answer on this?
Best Answer
I can't imagine what the acceptance agent was thinking, non-driver IDs are good for everything driver's licenses are good for except driving--my wife had no problem getting a passport with it. (Although she did also have to present her naturalization certificate which does have a photo on it--but she needed that to show citizenship, not who she was.)
Over the years I have seen plenty of people who do not realize they are equivalent, though, in one case having to get a bank manager involved because the teller would not accept either my wife's non-driver ID nor her passport and kept demanding a driver's license. (Hint: You can't have both a non-driver's ID and a driver's license!)
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What ID is acceptable in America?
Identity documents in the United States are typically the regional state-issued driver's license or identity card, while also the Social Security card (or just the Social Security number) and the United States Passport Card may serve as national identification.What 4 types of document are required for you to apply for a passport?
What Documents Are Needed for a US Passport?- Copy of the U.S. State Department's form DS-11 (completed and printed)
- Proof of U.S. citizenship.
- Photo ID.
- Photocopy of front and back of photo ID.
- Passport photo.
What identification is required for a passport?
ID card issued by the federal government, or a provincial or territorial government, or the equivalent abroad. employee identification issued by the federal government, or a provincial or territorial government, or the equivalent abroad.Proof of identity requirements
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Answer 2
The DS-11 instructions read
Proof of Identity
You may submit items such as the following containing your signature AND a photograph that is a good likeness of you: ….You must establish your identity to the satisfaction of the acceptance agent and Passport Services. We may ask you to provide additional evidence to establish your identity
Note especially the second paragraph: the acceptance agent decides whether the person submitting the application has adequately identified him- or herself by presenting appropriate identification. The type of identification presented is of secondary importance, with some examples provided as to what might be sufficient, but which on its own is explicitly stated to not necessarily be sufficient.
I would think the state-issued in-state non-driver photo ID should be adequate, as in every state I can think of it is issued by the same authority that issues drivers' licenses, and physically produced in a substantially similar format with the same materials, and so on. But evidently your acceptance agent apparently does not agree, and I don't think arguing with them based on some advice from the Internet as to what should or should not be acceptable will get you very far.
This does not mean you need to go get a driver's license, however, as in lieu of a primary photo ID, you can submit multiple secondary IDs such as work or school IDs, Social Security or other benefits cards, and so on. Or, perhaps, you could try again with a different agent.
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