How to Get Your Texas ID

Gather the documents you need. Remember, all documents must be originals, not photocopies! When you are a youth in foster care or a young adult in extended foster care and have a DFPS Form 2042 Foster Care Residency Verification you need the following documents to get your Texas ID from DPS (the Texas Department of Public Safety).

DFPS Form 2042 Foster Care Residency Verification filled out and signed by your caseworker.

Original or certified copy of a birth certificate from Texas or another U.S. state.

If you were not born in the United States, you will need proof that you are a U.S. citizen or have lawful presence (or legal status). Documents that you can show for this include:

  • U.S. Citizenship Certificate or Certificate of Naturalization with identifiable photo
  • Valid, unexpired U.S. passport
  • Original or certified copy of a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) issued by U.S. Department of State
  • Valid, unexpired Lawful Permanent Resident card (green card)
  • Valid, unexpired work permit
  • Other unexpired immigration document that shows you have lawful presence (or legal status) in the United States

Social Security card, IRS W-2 form, 1099 form (tax forms that your employer gives you in January), or paycheck stub with your name and your Social Security number to prove your Social Security number.

At least two supporting identity documents to show your identity, but three is better in case DPS rejects one of the documents. You must have originals, not photocopies. DPS has a long list of documents you can use listed on their website. Some of the ones you are most likely to have include:

  • Social Security card (If you have this, it works as both a document to prove your Social Security number and support your identity)
  • IRS W-2 Form or 1099 Form (tax forms that your employer gives you in January). If you have this, then it works as both a document to prove your Social Security number and support your identity.
  • School photo ID, report card, or transcript
  • Official immunization records
  • Medicaid card
  • Voter registration card (if you are 17 years 10 months or older)
  • Valid, unexpired foreign passport
  • Hospital-issued birth record
  • Selective Service card (males 18 or older who have completed registration)

You will not need to bring documents to prove your Texas residency if you have the DFPS Form 2042 Foster Care Residency Verification your caseworker signed. If you don’t have that form, see What if You Are No Longer in Foster Care or Don’t Have a DFPS Form 2042 Foster Care Residency Verification? for more information.

If you are under 18, bring the Texas driver license or identification card application form your caseworker filled out for you. If your caseworker has not given you the application, you will need to fill out the form at the DPS office and sign it in front of the DPS employee. Texas law allows those under 18 to get their Texas ID without adult authorization; the DFPS Form 2042 Foster Care Residency Verification prepared by your caseworker also allows you to get it by yourself.

If your caseworker gave you a signed DFPS Form 2042 Foster Care Residency Verification, you do not have to pay the fee for the ID.

Schedule an appointment at a DPS office. You may have to schedule an appointment several months in advance, so you should plan ahead. But don’t wait until the last minute to start getting your documents ready for your appointment! For more information about scheduling appointments and very limited walk-in appointments, visit the DPS website here.

Go to the DPS office with a caring older adult; you will need them with you to help explain that you are in foster care and that there are laws that make it simpler for you to get your ID card. Print out and take with you or have ready on your phone a copy of the DPS Foster Youth ID Card Fact Sheet.

If there are problems, show them the DPS Foster Youth ID Card Fact Sheet, which has the information about the laws on DFPS Form 2042 Foster Care Residency Verification. If there are still problems, ask to speak to a supervisor. If you are still denied, ask them to write down why you were denied, the name of the person you talked to, and the date. If you think you were wrongly denied your Texas ID card, you can contact the Texas Foster Youth Justice Project at (877) 313-3688 or info@texasfosteryouth.org for advice and possible free legal assistance from a lawyer.