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Need a government photo ID but don’t drive? An Ohio state ID card does the job, and you can get one at the Akron BMV. As Ohio Deputy Registrar Agency 7731, operated by the Northeast Ohio Automobile Dealers Association at 688 Wolf Ledges Parkway, we issue and renew state identification cards for Akron and Summit County residents of every age. This page covers what to bring, the standard-versus-REAL-ID choice, fees, free-ID eligibility, and how the in-person visit works.
Want a one-page checklist? Download the Akron BMV state ID PDF or use the accessible state ID checklist.
A quick orientation: in Ohio, state ID cards and driver licenses are issued by the BMV (that’s us, a deputy registrar). Vehicle titles are separate and handled by the County Clerk of Courts. If you’re here for an ID card, you’re in the right place.
What an Ohio state ID card is
An Ohio identification card is an official photo ID for people who do not have or do not want a driver license. It looks like a license and is accepted the same way for proving identity and age, opening a bank account, boarding a domestic flight (if it’s a REAL ID), applying for benefits, voting, and everyday verification. Anyone can hold one, including children; it simply is not a license to drive.
Ohio ID cards are available for four-year or eight-year terms. The eight-year card is a real Ohio BMV option, not a separate service, it is just the longer validity choice.
Like the driver license, the state ID comes in two versions:
- Compliant (REAL ID), marked with a star, accepted by TSA for domestic flights and to enter secure federal facilities. Requires the full identity document set.
- Standard, fully valid as state ID, but not accepted for those federal purposes after the REAL ID deadline.
Both cost the same. Choose based on whether you’ll ever use the card to fly domestically without a passport.
What to bring (checklist)
Whether you want a standard or a REAL ID-compliant card, a first-time Ohio ID requires the full document set. Bring originals or certified copies, photocopies and laminated documents are not accepted.
- One document proving full legal name, date of birth, and legal presence in the U.S. (U.S. passport or certified birth certificate)
- One document proving your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099)
- Two documents from different sources proving your Ohio street address (utility bill, bank statement, etc.)
- Proof of any legal name change, if your current name differs from your birth certificate or passport (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order)
- Payment (see fees below)
For minors who don’t have their own address documents, a parent or guardian’s proofs of Ohio residency are generally used, along with the parent’s ID. See our full what to bring to the BMV guide and the detailed REAL ID required documents guide.
Standard vs. REAL ID state ID card
| Item | Standard ID | Compliant (REAL ID) |
|---|---|---|
| Star marking | No | Yes (gold star) |
| Accepted for domestic flights | No (need passport) | Yes |
| Enters secure federal facilities | No | Yes |
| Documents required | Full set (first issuance) | Full set |
| Cost | Same | Same |
Fees and figures change. Verify current amounts on bmv.ohio.gov before your visit.
Because there is no price difference, most first-time applicants choose the REAL ID card unless they already carry a passport for travel.
Step by step: getting your state ID
- Gather your documents using the checklist above. When unsure, bring more.
- Plan your visit to the Akron BMV at 688 Wolf Ledges Parkway. Use Get in Line Online to hold your spot.
- Check in and tell the clerk you want a state ID, and whether you want a standard or compliant (REAL ID) card.
- Verify your information, name, address, and the application details.
- Have your photo taken.
- Pay by an accepted method.
- Leave with interim documentation. Since 2018 Ohio does not print cards at the counter, your permanent ID arrives by U.S. Mail, typically within about 10 business days. Carry the interim paperwork until it arrives.
Fees
The figures below come from the Ohio BMV fee schedule (last updated 9/30/2025) and include the deputy registrar service fee. Confirm current fees on bmv.ohio.gov.
| Transaction | 4-year | 8-year |
|---|---|---|
| State ID card, new / renewal | $13.00 | $25.00 |
| State ID card, duplicate (lost/stolen) | $12.00 | $12.00 |
Fees and figures change. Verify current amounts on bmv.ohio.gov before your visit.
Free state ID cards. The Ohio BMV schedule lists state ID new, renewal, and duplicate transactions as free for applicants who are 17 or older or permanently disabled. A REAL ID card costs the same as a standard card, no surcharge.
Hours & location
Akron BMV, Ohio Deputy Registrar Agency 7731 688 Wolf Ledges Parkway, Akron, OH 44311
- Phone: (330) 434-3134
- Weekday hours: Monday-Friday 8 AM-5 PM
- Saturday: 8 AM-1 PM
For directions, parking, and a map, see hours, location & directions.
Can I do this online?
A first-time Ohio state ID must be obtained in person, because your identity documents have to be verified and your photo taken. Once you hold a card, some renewals may be available online through the BMV’s OHID-based portal, but a first-time REAL ID and most changes still require a visit. See online vs. in-person to check your situation.
What causes return trips
- Assuming a standard ID works at the airport. It does not. For domestic flights without a passport, you need the REAL ID card.
- Bringing only one proof of Ohio address. You need two, from different sources.
- Photocopies. Identity documents must be originals or certified copies.
- Forgetting a name-change document when your current name doesn’t match your birth certificate or passport.
- Expecting the card on the spot. It arrives by mail; carry the interim paperwork meanwhile.
Questions people ask at the counter
Who can get an Ohio state ID card? Any Ohio resident who needs a government photo ID, including those who don’t drive and children. It proves identity and age but is not a license to drive.
How much does an Ohio state ID cost? A new or renewal ID is $13.00 for a 4-year card or $25.00 for an 8-year card; a duplicate is $12.00. The Ohio BMV schedule lists state ID new, renewal, and duplicate transactions as free for applicants who are 17 or older or permanently disabled. Confirm current fees on bmv.ohio.gov.
Can I get a REAL ID state ID card? Yes. The state ID comes in standard and compliant (REAL ID) versions at the same price. Choose REAL ID if you’ll use it to fly domestically or enter secure federal facilities without a passport. See our REAL ID page.
Can I have both a driver license and a state ID? No. Ohio does not issue both to the same person at the same time, a state ID is for people who do not hold a driver license.
How long does the card take to arrive? You leave with interim documentation and the permanent card arrives by U.S. Mail, usually within about 10 business days.
Do children need to appear in person? Yes, a photo is taken, so the applicant must be present, along with a parent or guardian who can provide the required residency documents and their own ID.
Helpful next pages
Before you come in
Need an ID? Get in Line Online to hold your spot, or walk in during business hours. Bring the right documents and most ID transactions take only a few minutes.
Where this information comes from
- Ohio BMV, State of Ohio ID Card: https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/dl-id-card.aspx
- Ohio BMV, Acceptable Documents: https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/dl-identity-documents.aspx
- Ohio BMV, Ohio’s REAL ID: https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/dl-real-id.aspx
- Ohio BMV, Documents & Fees (updated 9/30/2025): https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/doc-fees.aspx