Let’s start with the easy part. If you know your NC ID# or NC Driver’s License # then you or a case worker at a number of the agencies listed on this site can probably order one on-line. If you were lucky enough to take a picture of your ID or write the ID# down somewhere then this is the way to go. If you’ve got your ID# you can request a replacement on line. The fee there is about five bucks. In addition to knowing your ID# you’ll also need to enter your date of birth and Social Security Number’s. Here’s the link to request a replacement:
Official NCDMV: Replacement & Duplicate License (ncdot.gov) If you have lost your NC ID and at some point, you’ve done an intake into the county’s HMIS system, (in other words, you received a “shelter card”) it is VERY likely that your ID# can be found in that system.
Getting a NC ID may be the biggest obstacle you face to getting out of homelessness. If you don’t know your ID#, then you’ll have to go to the DMV. Of course that’s never easy. Here’s a comprehensive list of what you’ll need to bring. If you want the ID for free, you’ll need a “Verification of Services Letter.” Those can be created by a case manager or peer support specialist at many of the day shelters listed on our site or at IPS at the Promise Resource Network.
You will need to prove you’re a resident of NC. The Verification of Services letter can also be used to prove you’re a North Carolina residents. You can also use one these documents to prove you’re a resident:
- North Carolina Vehicle Registration Card, insurance policy or title
- North Carolina Voter Precinct Card
- Utility bill or cable bill
- Preprinted financial statement (like a credit card statement)
Next you will need to prove you have a Social Security Number with one of these documents:
- Social Security card (can’t be a copy or laminated)
- 1099 tax form with name and FULL Social Security number
- W-2 form with name and FULL Social Security number
- Payroll record with name and FULL Social Security number
- DD-214 form
- Social Security document reflecting Social Security number
- Medicaid or Medicare card reflecting Social Security number
Finally you will need one of these documents to prove your birth date. Generally, a birth certificate is needed to prove your date of birth to the DMV. It has to be official, with a raised seal from the state. But.. birth certificates are so hard, expensive and time-consuming to get. So, they have a list of alternate documents.
| Document Type | Acceptable Documents | Notes |
| Birth certificate | •Certified birth certificate provided by a county Register of Deeds or state Vital Records Office •U.S. Report of Consular Birth Abroad | •Acceptable for REAL ID •Must be issued by a government agency in the United States, a U.S. territory or Canada •Photocopies not allowed unless certified by the issuing agency with a raised seal |
| U.S. Passport | Valid, unexpired passport from the United States | •Digital versions not accepted •Acceptable for REAL ID |
| Valid, unexpired foreign passport | Valid, unexpired passport from any nation | •Acceptable for REAL ID •Must be accompanied by an affixed valid, unexpired U.S. visa and I-94 Arrival/Departure Record |
| REAL ID | A valid, unexpired REAL ID driver license or ID card issued from a REAL ID compliant state | •Acceptable for REAL ID |
| Motor vehicle driver’s record | •Certified or non-certified North Carolina Motor Vehicle Record •Certified out-of-state motor vehicle record | •Not acceptable for REAL ID |
| School documents | •North Carolina school transcript or registration signed by a school official •Diploma or GED from a North Carolina school, community college or university | •Not acceptable for REAL ID •Driver education certificates, driving eligibility certificates and report cards are NOT accepted as proof of identification |
| U.S. military ID | •Valid unexpired U.S. military ID, including DD-2, DD-214 •U.S. Military Dependents Card •U.S. Veteran Universal Access Card | •Not acceptable for REAL ID |
| North Carolina Limited Driving Privilege | •Must be issued by a North Carolina court •Cannot be expired more than one year | •Not acceptable for REAL ID |
| U.S. government documents | •Valid, unexpired documents issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services •An expired immigration document may be valid if accompanied by a letter from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services extending the expiration date (e.g., I-797) | •Not acceptable for REAL ID |
| Court documents | •Official divorce decree •Court order for change of name or gender •Adoption papers •Certified court order for child support | •Not acceptable for REAL ID •Court documents from U.S. jurisdiction, U.S. territories or Canada |
You can make an appointment at DMV’s scattered around the state, but all the local ones listed below, have no available appointments. But the DMV accepts walk-in’s after 12:00pm. People start lining up at 11:00am for that. Here are all the local offices:
| DMV West / Bus 21 6016 Brookshire Blvd Phone 704-392-3266 7a ~ 5p Mon~Fri | DMV North / Bus 54X 9711 David Taylor Dr Phone 980-771-8300 7a ~ 5p Mon~Fri |
| DMV East / Bus 9 6635 Executive Cir #130 Phone 704-531-5563 7a ~ 5p Mon~Fri | DMV South / Train 501 / Bus 56 201-H West Arrowood Rd Phone 704-527-2562 7a ~ 5p Mon~Fri |
| DMV Huntersville / Bus 63X 12101 Mt. Holly Huntersville Rd Phone 704-547-5786 7:30a ~ 6p Mon~Fri | DMV Monroe / Greyhound US0660S 3122 US 74 West Phone 704-283-4264 7a ~ 5p Mon~Fri |