Forms of ID

Being able to prove you are who you say you are is often the first step of getting the things you need. At MTW, we want to help you secure the things you need to get a Mass ID, something that will help you get on the path you want to get on.

STEP #1: know why ID matters

When getting involved in certain opportunities, whether it's school, work, or services you need, people tend to want the answers to a few questions:

lawful presence

Where were you born? What is your citizenship status?

identity

Who are you?

residency

Where do you live?

STEP #2: get your birth certificate

A birth certificate is a document some organizations use to prove your citizenship and identity.

A birth certificate is a government-issued record of a person’s birth. It proves your birthday, who your biological parents are, and where you were born. An original copy of a birth certificate is often needed to apply for school, work, and to get other identifying documents. Think of your birth certificate as the Question Zero of all your ID documents, the document you need to get before getting anything else.

There are a couple different ways to get your birth certificate if you were born in the United States:

Option #1: Ask Your Parent or Guardian

If you're still in touch with your parent or guardian, there's a chance they have your birth certificate stored in a safe place. This is usually the fastest and cheapest way to access your birth certificate.

Option #2: Request from DCF

If you've ever been involved with DCF, they may have your birth certificate on file. If you're under 18, you can request access to your birth certificate before they close your case, and they should definitely give you your original birth certificate as a part of your transition plan.

Option #3: Order from VitalChek

If getting your birth certificate from a parent or guardian or DCF, you can order your birth certificate through an online service for a fee. This is called a request for vital records, and you are required to have the following information ready before making the request:

Your full name
Your birthday
The city and state you were born in
$53 for the fee

Once you submit the request, it takes one business day for them to process, and they will mail you your birth certificate within a few weeks.

STEP #3: get your social security no. card

An SSN is a number you usually receive at birth that will identify you throughout your life, and will help you receive social security benefits later in life. You are the only person who has your SSN number and it's why people use it to prove their identity.

Once you have your birth certificate, you can access your Social Security Number (SSN) Card, which is required by some organizations to prove your identity and to connect your wages to your social security account.

As with with a birth certificate, you can ask a parent, guardian, or DCF case worker to help you access your SSN Card. If you can't get it through them, you can use a copy of your birth certificate and other qualifying documents to order a new or replacement SSN card.

Once you print and complete your application, you can mail or submit it to your local Social Security Office.

SSN Card Application

STEP #4: get your proof of residency

You don't always need something as involved as a SSN or Birth Certificate to prove where you live. Below is a list of documents that usually prove where you live, and are accepted by various agencies:

Current license, Massachusetts ID card, or learner’s permit (liquor ID not accepted)
State/federal/municipal/city/town/county agency-issued documents
Court correspondence dated within 60 days
Bill, medical statement, or credit card statement dated within 60 days
Pay stub dated within 60 days
Lease
W-2 from immediate prior year
Official school transcript for current year

If you're currently between living situations, it can be a bit trickier to prove residency. If that's the case for you, you can email MASSDOTARAProgram@dot.state.ma.us with the help of MTW. This program can help you get something called an affidavit that will serve as your proof of residency.

Mass ID Required Documents

STEP #5: get your mass id

Once you have some key identifying documents in place, you can apply for a Mass ID. A Mass ID is a document that proves your identity and your residence in Massachusetts. A Mass ID isn't a driver's license, but you can use it like someone would use a driver's license to get access to services, opportunities, and other documents.

Before you apply for your Mass ID, it helps to know the two types of ID available:

Standard id

Is a valid driver’s license or identification card
Is NOT valid as a form of federal ID
Can be renewed online without going to the RMV
Has “NOT FOR FEDERAL ID” displayed on the card

real id*

Is a valid driver’s license or identification card
Is valid as a form of federal ID
Requires an in-person visit to renew
Has a star displayed on the document to indicate that is a federally compliant card

*Beginning May 3, 2023, every air traveler 18 years of age and old will need a REAL ID.

To complete your online application for a Mass ID, you need to prove the following things with required documents:

lawful presence

Birth Certificate

identity

SSN Card

residency

W-2, Pay Stub, Bill, Lease, etc.

Mass ID Online Application

STEP #6: replace your mass id

To replace your Mass ID, you'll need the following information:

Name
Date of birth
ID number or last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
Fee of $25
Email address

Replace Your Mass ID

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