Ibrahim Gardner
International students in the US on an F1, J1, or M1 visa can obtain a state ID card. A state ID is a government-issued identification card that can be used to verify your identity, age, and address. It is especially useful for students who want to avoid carrying their official passports. In Maryland, international students can apply for a state ID at an MVA (Motor Vehicle Association) office. The first step is to complete a SAVE Verification form and receive confirmation before visiting the MVA. The cost of a state ID varies between $10 and $90, depending on the state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| State ID card recommended for international students | Yes, instead of carrying their official passport |
| Documents required for proof of identity | International passport, consular ID card from Guatemala, Mexico or Ecuador, or two other credentials |
| Documents required for proof of age | International passport or any document with a photograph taken within the previous eight years |
| Documents required for proof of residency | Two proofs of residential address, such as a utility bill, bank statement, rental lease agreement, or tuition bill |
| Documents required for proof of legal US presence | Original copy of US visa, signed form I-20 (for F1 students) or DS-2019 (for J1 students) and I-94 travel record |
| Documents required for proof of Social Security Number (SSN) | Proof of SSN or ineligibility for an SSN (Letter of Ineligibility from the Social Security Administration (SSA) office) |
| Documents required for proof of payment of Maryland taxes | Document with the applicant's name and SSN |
| Where to apply for a state ID | MDOT MVA branch in your area |
| Online application process | Available only for replacement of lost ID cards or change of address |
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What You'll Learn
International students can apply for a Maryland state ID card
To apply for a Maryland state ID card, you will need to submit an electronic SAVE Verification Request Form online. After submitting the form, a representative from the MVA will contact you within one business week to provide the verification results and information on how to continue the process. You can also complete the SAVE verification in person at the MVA, but this may cause delays.
Once you have completed the SAVE Verification and have all the necessary documents, you can take them to the MVA to apply for your State ID card. There are many MVA locations, the nearest of which is in Glen Burnie, MD.
To obtain a Maryland state ID card, you must present valid proof of identity, age, and state residency. If you do not reside in the state, you cannot obtain a photo ID through the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). To prove your residency in the state, you can use documents containing your full name, such as bank statements, cell phone bills, a rental lease agreement, or a tuition bill that shows your address in the state. You will also need to provide proof of your legal US presence, such as an original copy of your US visa, a signed form I-20 (for F1 students) or DS-2019 (for J1 students), and your I-94 travel record.
When applying for your US state ID card, you will be given the option to obtain a Real ID state ID or a standard state ID. The Real ID version has a star symbol in the top right corner, showing that it is federally compliant. As of May 7, 2025, Real IDs will be the only acceptable form of state ID card that can be used to board a US domestic flight or enter a US federal building.
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The first step is to complete the SAVE Verification form
As an international student in Maryland, you can apply for a state ID card, which is a valid form of government-issued identification. This can be used as a primary identification document, instead of carrying your official passport.
The first step to obtaining a Maryland State ID is to complete the SAVE Verification form. This can be done online, and after submitting the form, you will receive a response within one business week. The SAVE system cannot verify your immigration status or US citizenship using a driver's license number, US or foreign passport number, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. To increase the likelihood of an immediate response, all available identifiers should be entered, exactly as they appear on your documents.
The SAVE system will either return a response within seconds or prompt the user agency for additional action, such as requesting additional verification. If additional verification is required, the user agency must submit the case for further verification, which may include more information and/or a copy of the applicant's immigration document.
Once you have completed the SAVE Verification process and received confirmation, you can then visit the Motor Vehicle Association (MVA) to apply for your State ID card.
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You must prove your identity, age, and residency
International students in Maryland can apply for a state ID card, which is a valid form of government-issued identification. This can be used to verify your identity, age, and address. It is recommended for students to have this instead of carrying their official passport.
To apply for a Maryland State ID, you must first complete the SAVE Verification form and receive confirmation before visiting the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) office. The MVA provides access to a Document Selector tool that walks you through the selection process to determine the documents you will need to present with your application.
To obtain a REAL ID, you must present one document showing proof of your age, one document showing proof of Social Security, and two documents showing proof of your Maryland residency. If you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), you will need to obtain a Letter of Ineligibility from the Social Security Administration (SSA) office.
Documents that can be used to prove your residency in the state include bank statements, cell phone bills, a rental lease agreement, or a tuition bill that shows your address in Maryland. You can also use a utility bill, such as a phone, cable, or internet bill, showing your name and Maryland address.
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You can use a passport or other documents as proof
International students in Maryland can obtain a state ID card, which is a valid form of government-issued identification. This can be used as a primary form of identification, instead of carrying around an official passport.
To apply for a Maryland state ID, you must complete the SAVE Verification form and receive confirmation before visiting the Motor Vehicle Association (MVA) office. You will also need to submit an Application for Identification Card (DL-082) and provide proof of identity, age, and state residency.
Other documents that can be used as proof of identity and age include an international passport, a driver's license, or a birth certificate. For proof of residency, you can use documents with your full name and address, such as bank statements, phone bills, rental lease agreements, or tuition bills.
It is important to note that while a state ID is a convenient form of identification, it does not permit driving. If you wish to obtain a driver's license, you will need to surrender your state ID and follow the specific requirements for a driver's license application.
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The ID is useful for everyday transactions and boarding domestic flights
International students in Maryland can apply for a state ID card, which is a valid form of government-issued identification. This can be used for everyday transactions, such as proving your age when travelling domestically, shopping at a grocery store, or going out to a nightclub or bar. It can also be used when performing a transaction at a bank, unlike a school ID.
State IDs are also useful for boarding a domestic flight in the US, although from May 7th, 2025, only the Real ID version of a state ID card will be accepted for this purpose. The Real ID version has a star symbol in the top right corner, showing that it is federally compliant. To obtain a Real ID, international students must present two different types of documents proving their residency in the state, such as a utility bill, bank statement, rental lease agreement, or tuition bill.
To obtain a standard state ID, international students in Maryland must present valid proof of identity, age, and state residency. This can include an unexpired foreign passport, a consular ID card from Guatemala, Mexico, or Ecuador, or two other credentials, one of which must include a photograph taken within the previous eight years. Students must also provide proof of their Social Security Number or ineligibility for an SSN, which can be obtained from the Social Security Administration office.
The process of obtaining a state ID begins with submitting an electronic SAVE Verification Request Form online. After submitting the form, a representative from the MVA will contact the applicant within one business week to provide verification results and information on how to continue the process. Students must then take their documents to the MVA to apply for their State ID card.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can apply for a Maryland State ID.
To apply for a Maryland State ID, you must present proof of age, identity, and state residency. If you are an international student, you will need to submit an electronic SAVE Verification Request Form online before visiting the MVA.
A Maryland State ID is a valid form of government-issued identification that can be used to verify your identity. It is recommended for students to have this instead of carrying their official passport.
The cost of a state ID can vary depending on the state, but in general, it can range from $10 to $90.
