State ID

Getting a State ID

As an International Student, you have at least two forms of picture identification: your passport and your Macalester student ID. We recommend that you also get a Minnesota ID or a Minnesota driver’s license. These two, which look identical except for the title, are the standard forms of identification here and are usually required when making financial transactions–especially when writing checks–and at some other times, such as when an age check is necessary (e.g., when purchasing cigarettes and alcohol, entering bar or night club, or seeing restricted movies at the cinema).

There are three types of MN IDs:

1. Standard ID
2. REAL ID – allows you to fly within the United States or enter federal facilities
3. Enhanced (for US citizens only)

Standard ID

To apply for a MN ID, you need to provide the DVS (Driver and Vehicle Services) two identification documents* (two primary documents or one primary document and one secondary document) and pay a license fee (Under “Identification Cards”).

Examples of accepted documents:

• Passport
• Social Security card
• I-20 or DS-2019
• Official Macalester transcript

See the full list of accepted documents here. You can obtain an ID at the locations found on the Driver and Vehicle Services Locations website.

Note: Your State ID will expire 1 month before you turn 21 years old. Renew your State ID as soon as possible once it expires.

*Please note that all documents submitted need to be in the applicant’s legal name as it appears on the passport.

REAL ID

To apply for a MN REAL ID, you need to provide the followings to the DVS (Driver and Vehicle Services) and pay a license fee (Under “Identification Cards”):

1. One document proving identity, date of birth and legal U.S. presence.*
   • Example: Passport with valid visa, I-94 and I-20
2. Two documents proving current Minnesota residency.*
   • Examples:
     • Most recent Federal or state income tax return
     • Certified transcript from a Minnesota college or university (less than 180 days old)
     • Bank account statement (less than 1 year old)
3. You social security number.

See the full list of documents here.

Save time and get your card faster by pre-applying and pre-verifying your REAL ID documents online at dps.mn.gov/mydvs.

• Upload documents using the mobile-friendly application.
• DVS staff will verify that the documents you upload are sufficient to issue a REAL ID.
• Bring the original verified documents to a driver’s license office to complete your transaction.

*Please note that all documents submitted need to be in the applicant’s legal name as it appears on the passport.