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Enhanced license and ID
What is an enhanced license or ID?
Unlike a standard Michigan license or ID, an enhanced license or ID can be used in place of a U.S. passport to re-enter the United States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean.
How can I apply for an enhanced driver’s license or state ID?
What do I need to apply for an enhanced license or ID at a Secretary of State office? (Choose tab)
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Proof of legal presence
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Name change document (if applicable)
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Social Security number
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Proof of identity
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Michigan residency
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Payment
You are required to provide one of the following legal presence documents:
- Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
- Certified birth certificate with stamp or raised seal issued by a U.S. government unit or U.S. territory government office
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the U.S. State Department (FS-240, DS-1350 or FS-545)
- Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561)
- Certificate of Naturalization (N-550, N-570, N-578)
Documents may need to be verified by the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) System.
As part of your enhanced license or ID application, you will be asked a series of questions about your legal presence document.
If your legal name is different from what is on your birth certificate or legal presence document, you must show official proof of the name change with at least one of the following documents:
- An original marriage certificate
- A certified divorce decree issued in the U.S.
- A court order
If you’ve changed your name several times, provide documentation for each legal name change.
You are required to provide one of the following documents:
- Social Security card
- W-2 Form
- SSA 1099 form or non-SSA 1099 form
- Pay stub containing your name and Social Security number
If you don’t have one of the previously listed documents, you can provide an official document with your full name and Social Security number for staff to review.
Please note: You may be required to correct your information with the Social Security Administration before applying for a license or ID.
If you were not previously issued a Michigan photo driver's license or ID card, you are required to provide one of the following documents:
- Valid U.S. passport or passport card
- Driver's license or ID card issued by another state (valid, or expired less than 1 year)
- Government issued employee photo ID card (federal, state or municipal)
- U.S. military photo ID card (DD-2, DD-1173, or CAC card) - the card must be valid or expired less than 1 year
- Photo tribal ID card from a federally recognized Native American tribe
Applicants under age 18 may have a parent or legal guardian present their driver's license or ID card (valid or expired less than 1 year)
You are required to provide two of the following documents:
- A utility or credit card bill issued within the last 90 days – electronic documents are accepted
- An account statement from a bank or other financial institution issued within the last 90 days – electronic documents are accepted
- Michigan high school, college, or university report cards or transcripts
- Mortgage, lease, or rental agreement
- Pay stub or earnings statement issued with the name and address of the employee
- Life, health, auto, or home insurance policy
- Federal, state, or local government documents
- Michigan title and registration with current address
If you don’t have one of the previously listed documents, you can provide an official document with your full name and address for staff to review.
At your Secretary of State office visit, provide payment for your enhanced driver’s license or ID using cash, check, money order, or credit or debit card. Additional fees apply to credit and debit transactions.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
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How much does it cost to get an enhanced license or ID?
First-time Renewal Replace/Correct Enhanced license (first-time) $45 $38 $24 Enhanced ID $30* $30 $30 Enhanced chauffeur's license $50 $43 $33 Enhanced moped license $38 $30 $18 *Those who are 65 years or older or legally blind can apply for, renew, replace, or correct an enhanced ID for $20.
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How do I renew my enhanced license or ID?
Like standard licenses and IDs, most enhanced licenses and IDs can be renewed online, by mail, or at a self-service station, if a new photo isn’t required.
Most residents only need to renew their license or ID at a Secretary of State’s office every 12 years to take a new photo.
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I have an enhanced driver’s license, but it doesn’t have a star. Is it REAL ID-compliant?
All enhanced driver's licenses and enhanced IDs are automatically REAL ID-compliant with or without the star because they already meet the high security standards of the REAL ID Act. Enhanced licenses and IDs without a star will automatically be printed with one the next time they are renewed or replaced. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, TSA agents at airports will recognize enhanced licenses or enhanced IDs as valid REAL ID documents, even without the star.
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What is the RFID chip on my enhanced license or ID?
Your enhanced license or ID contains a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip to facilitate border crossings and homeland security efforts.
The chip is part of the Radio Frequency Identification security system, which is a wireless technology that stores and retrieves data remotely. The RFID chip doesn’t include any personal information, just a unique reference number.
The unique reference number assigned to your RFID chip allows the Customs and Border Protection agent to verify your identity and citizenship quickly and accurately. When you enter the U.S. by land or sea, your unique RFID number will be referenced against a secured database to verify your identity for border-crossing purposes.
The unique reference number is only activated when read by an RFID scanner.
Enhanced licenses and IDs will be mailed with a special sleeve that can be used to store the card. The sleeve shields your enhanced license or ID from unauthorized RFID readers. When you need to access your enhanced license or ID, remove it from its protective sleeve. Keep your card in its sleeve when not in use.
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Do I need to take any written knowledge or driving skills test to get an enhanced driver’s license?
If you already have a valid Michigan driver’s license or a valid license from another state, you don’t need to take a knowledge test or driving skills test.
Testing is only required if one or more of the following applies to you:
- You have never been licensed before.
- You have a medical or physical condition that indicates further evaluation is warranted.
- You are applying for a chauffeur or commercial driver’s license (CDL) or adding a CDL group designation.
- You have an expired license from another state.
- Your Michigan driver’s license has been expired more than four years.