Enactments
Temporary Identification Cards
Arizona | The Arizona Plan (2013)
The state provides a Released Offender Identification Card upon release. These cards are valid for 30 days. The state will also ensure that all released individuals will have a birth certificate and social security card upon release.
New York | Correction Law § 856; Directive #4914 (2021)
Incarcerated individuals will receive a temporary identification card upon release that is good for 120 days. This identification card will classify as one of the necessary documentations for a permanent identification, along with the following: birth certificate, social security card and release papers.
Utah | HB 320 (2013)
The division may issue a temporary regular identification card to a person while the person obtains the required documentation to establish verification of the information for a permanent identification card.
Identification Card or Driver's Licenses
Alabama | House Bill 2 (2021 1st Special Session)
Requires the DOC to provide a social security card and a birth certificate necessary to obtain employment. Further requires the DOC, in conjunction with the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, to assist an inmate in obtaining a non-driver identification card.
Alaska | State Bill 91 (2016)
The state must assist a prisoner in obtaining a valid state identification card if the prisoner does not have a valid state identification card before the prisoner’s release. The department shall pay the application fee for the identification card.
Alaska | SB 119 (2023-24)
Ensures that a prisoner has a valid state identification card upon the prisoner’s release; if the prisoner does not have a valid state identification card before the prisoner’s release, the department shall issue the prisoner a valid state identification card and pay the application fee.
Arizona | SB 1290 (2023-24)
Provides that an inmate who is discharged from imprisonment for a felony offense and who intends to reside in this state with relevant documentation to assist the inmate in obtaining post-release employment. The Departments of Corrections and Transportation shall replace the inmate’s current nonoperating identification license or driver’s license, if applicable, or provide the inmate with a nonoperating identification license if the inmate does not have one. The Departments of Corrections and Transportation shall determine an inmate’s need for identification nine months before release and begin gathering necessary documentation.
California | Penal Code Section 3007.05 (2016)
Requires Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and DMV to ensure all eligible inmates released from state prisons have valid identification cards.
California | AB 1329 (2023-24)
Authorizes the county of San Diego and DMV to implement a five-year pilot program to provide eligible incarcerated persons with a valid identification card or driver’s license when they are released from a San Diego detention facility.
Florida | CS/HB 53 (2014)
Requires the Department of Corrections provide every Florida-born inmate with a certified copy of their birth certificate and a state identification card before release from prison.
Georgia | SB 218 (2023)
Allows the Department of Corrections and Department of Driver Services, in coordination, to provide residents of the state reentering society with personal identification or the necessary documentation to receive such identification.
Hawaii | § 353H, HB No 845 (2017)
The department will inform inmates that departmental assistance is available to obtain civil identification cards and, upon request, will issue the cards to individuals who have less than one year remaining.
Illinois | Public Act 099-0907 (2016)
Legislation ensured people released from prison will receive a valid state identification card.
Illinois | HB 3345 (2023-24)
Provides that 60 days before the scheduled discharge of a person committed to the custody of the Department of Corrections, or upon receipt of the person’s certified birth certificate and Social Security card, the department shall transmit an application for an identification card to the secretary of state.
Minnesota | SB 519 (2021)
The bill provides that, upon request of an inmate, the prison commissioner, in collaboration with the Department of Public Safety, shall assist the inmate in obtaining a copy of the inmate’s birth certificate and state identification card at no cost.
Mississippi | House Bill 585 (2014)
Requires the Mississippi DOC to provide a soon-to-be-released individual with either a state ID or a driver’s license as part of the Pre-Release Assessment Plan.
Nevada | § 209.511 (2020)
Shall provide the offender with a photo identification card issued by the Department of Corrections and information and reasonable assistance relating to acquiring a valid driver’s license or identification card to enable the offender to obtain employment.
North Carolina | § 148-10.5. (2015)
The Division of Adult Correction of the Department of Public Safety shall assist each inmate who is within six months of release from the custody of the division in applying for each of the following as may be needed by the inmate: a social security card; in cooperation with the Division of Motor Vehicles: a driver’s license, duplicate driver’s license, learner's permit or special identification card; and in cooperation with the State Registrar of Vital Statistics, a certified copy of the inmate's birth certificate for any inmate who was born in this state. The division shall assist any inmate who was born in another state in applying for a birth certificate from the appropriate agency in that state.
Oklahoma | HB 1679 (2021)
The bill directs the Department of Corrections to provide inmates released from its custody with relevant documentation to assist the inmate in obtaining post-release employment and to coordinate with the Department of Public Safety to provide a Real ID noncompliant identification card if the inmate does not have a current state-issued identification card or driver license.
Tennessee | SB 814 (2023-24)
Provides an inmate who is discharged from imprisonment for a felony offense and who intends to reside in this state with relevant documentation to assist the inmate in obtaining post-release employment and shall coordinate with the Department of Safety to provide a photo identification license, if the inmate does not have a current photo identification or driver’s license.
Texas | HB 2161 (2009)
Before discharging an inmate or releasing an inmate on parole, mandatory supervision or conditional pardon, the department shall determine where the inmate has a valid license or identification certificate and, if not, the department shall submit a request for issuance to the appropriate agency.
Washington | § 46.20.117 (2020)
Incarcerated individuals shall receive valid forms of identification prior to release. Individuals scheduled to be released may be charged $72 for their identification card effective Jan. 1, 2022, up from the previous $54.
Wisconsin | § 343.50, § 301.286 (2007)
Before an individual is released from prison upon completion of his or her sentence or to parole or extended supervision, the department shall determine if the individual has an operator's license or a state identification card. If the individual has neither, the department shall assist the individual in applying for a state identification card. The department shall determine if the individual is able to pay all or a portion of the fee from the individual's general fund account. The department shall pay any portion of the fee the individual is unable to pay from the individual's general fund account.
Opportunity
Nebraska | LB258 (2018)
Provides opportunity for inmates to obtain state identification card or renew driver's license before discharge.
Unpaid Court Cost Stays & Repayment Schedules
West Virginia | WV S 634 (2016)
Created the Second Chance Driver's License Act and Account, allowing individuals who have been unable to obtain a driver's license or to have their driver's license reinstated due to unpaid court costs to obtain a stay of the driver's license suspension or revocation.
Other Relevant Regulations or Programs
Colorado | Regulation Number 550-10
Colorado’s DOC assists offenders in acquiring a Colorado state ID, a replacement social security card, a birth certificate, or any other documents that assist with proving identity, age, name and/or lawful presence. Every incarcerated individual will be reviewed upon intake and release to determine whether they will need assistance in receiving a Colorado state ID. If they need one and are eligible, then the Offender ID Coordinator will assist them in acquiring one.
Connecticut | Offender Reentry Services
DOC offers an Offender Reentry Unit, which consists of either part-time or full-time reentry counselors. These counselors assist the incarcerated individuals with obtaining a social security card, birth certificate, or renewal of their driver’s license or state ID.
Delaware | DOC Policy Number 3.12
The DOC has instituted an Offender Reentry Planning program to ensure all released individuals have access to services prior to release. Incarcerated individuals will have a reentry team that will identify and assist with needs, such as personal identification, prior to release.
Idaho | IDOC Structured Reentry Case Management
The case manager will assist the offender to obtain documents the offender will need in the community, such as a driver's license, social security card, SSI application, state identification card and alien work permits.
Indiana | Policy and Administrative Procedure 01-07-101
The Reentry Unit Team shall assist incarcerated individuals to obtain documents necessary for obtaining an ID and shall refer the individual to the mobile Bureau of Motor Vehicles unit 365 days prior to release to secure an ID.
Kansas | Sec. 14-60A
Released individuals will get a Certificate of Identification that will serve as one identifying document when applying for a state ID or driver’s license.
Maine | Release and Reentry Planning 27.01
Verify that the prisoner has two forms of identification acceptable for employment purposes (driver’s license, official state identification, or identity verification form and a social security card, birth certificate, or a certified application for a social security card) or a current passport and, if not, assist the prisoner in obtaining the necessary documents.
Massachusetts | DOC Reentry Policy
Prior to release, the assigned correction program officer will review the incarcerated individual’s file to ensure they have the necessary identification. If they do not, the officer will assist them in acquiring the necessary documents. An individual who participates in the Employment Readiness Workshop while in prison will receive a state ID as part of their completed portfolio.
Michigan | MOU Between DOC and Department of State
Returning citizens receive DOC prisoner ID cards upon their release. However, this card only counts as a secondary document proving residency when applying for a state ID.
Missouri | DOC Reentry Process
DOC partnered with the Department of Revenue, Social Security Administration, and the Department of Health and Senior Services to assist offenders in obtaining birth certificates, social security cards, and state IDs.
Montana | DOC Operational Procedure
An incarcerated individual is assigned a Facility Inmate ID Card that has the word “INMATE” across the top. This card has all the information required for a state ID. They are also assigned a copy of the Facility Inmate ID Card that does not have the word “INMATE” on top. The copy without INMATE written on it will be kept in the prison’s records files and will be used to obtain a state ID when the incarcerated individual is either about to be released or upon release.
Oregon | OAR 291-207-0100 and OAR 735-001-0062
The DOC shall assist eligible inmates with obtaining Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle (DMV) state identification cards or driver licenses pursuant to the interagency agreement between the Department of Corrections (DOC) and the DMV, as well as the DOC and DMV joint rules on DMV/DOC Program for an Inmate Obtaining a Driver License or Identification Card prior to release.
Rhode Island | Transitional Services & Discharge Planning
The pre-release unit in Transitional Services & Discharge Planning holds forums in facilities to inform the clients what services are available and begins the process of planning for a successful reentry, including aiding with obtaining identification.
South Dakota | DOC Policy 1.1.A.7
Policy in place to assist inmates who are within 180 days from their release in obtaining their social security card and their birth certificate.
Tennessee | TDOC Policy
Tennessee Department of Corrections and Department of Safety and Homeland Security entered into an interagency agreement allowing TDOC to purchase driver’s license issuance equipment and install it in TDOC facilities. This purchase was made using existing TDOC resources, meaning no new taxpayer funding or staffing was needed.
Virginia | DOC DMV Connect
Program called DMV Connect where correctional facilities identify individuals slated for release within a month and collect the necessary personal documents and Department of Motor Vehicle applications for Virginia ID cards. DMV employees then travel to the correctional facilities where they complete the transactions for the soon-to-be-released offenders. Using portable equipment including a laptop and camera, the DMV securely processes the work in real-time. Each new ID card is mailed from the DMV’s secure central processing facility to the appropriate correctional facility. Personnel at the correctional facilities ensure the inmates’ new ID cards are in their release packets.
Washington | Executive Order 16-05
Allow individuals who are serving more than two years to receive a state ID while in prison for a discounted rate.
Wyoming | Policy and Procedure #4.102
During incarceration, individuals can obtain their social security card, state ID, driver’s license, birth certificate or commercial driver’s license.