http://www.dmv.org/va-virginia/id-cards.php

In Virginia, you can use an identification card as an alternate form of photo identification if you don’t have a driver’s license or learner’s permit. You can use your VA ID card for a number of things, including voting, opening a bank account, and proving your age. VA ID Card Eligibility Requirements You can apply for a VA ID card at any age, but you must be a resident of Virginia. You cannot have both a U.S. driver’s license or learner’s permit at the same time as a Virginia ID card.

If you are a non-U.S. citizen, authorized to be in the U.S. temporarily, your ID card will only be valid for the amount of time you are legally allowed to stay in the country. If your legal presence document does not have an expiration date, your VA ID card will expire after 1 year. Advertisement

Apply for a Virginia ID Card If you do not have a current Virginia driver’s license and it is your first time applying for a VA ID card, you must visit a Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office in person. You cannot apply for a VA ID card online or by mail. Your VA ID card will be mailed to you within 15 days of your application. The VA DMV does not issue ID cards over the counter in order to reduce the risk of fraud. Adult ID Card If you are 15 years old or older, you will need to apply for an adult VA ID card.

You will need:

•A completed Driver’s License and Identification Card Application (Form DL 1P).

•2 documents proving your identity (e.g. U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or current permanent resident card).

•A document proving your legal presence in the U.S. (e.g. I-94, naturalization certificate, or U.S. birth certificate). If you were born in 1937 or earlier and have a valid VA driver’s license or ID card, or one that expired within the last 5 years, you do not need to prove your legal presence.

•A document proving your physical VA residency (e.g. recent utility bill, VA voter registration card, or recent bank statement). Document must show your name and street address. Post office box addresses are not accepted.

•Valid payment. See the “VA Identification Card Fees” section below for information on fees and payment options. A full list of accepted application documents can be found online.

The VA DMV may require additional documents before issuing your ID card.

Your documents must be originals. The VA DMV will not accept temporary or photocopied documents.

When you apply for a VA ID card, you can opt to become an organ donor, register to vote, or change your voter registration address.

For more information about voting in VA, visit our page on Voter Registration in Virginia.