Voter Photo ID  

ID con Foto del Votante en Español.

(Looking for general voting information? Click here.)

You must be a U.S. citizen to vote.

Are you a US citizen living in Wisconsin needing help with voting, including getting a voter photo ID?

• Call or text the Voter Helpline 608.285.2141.

• To send an email, click the Helpline button at the lower right of the screen.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) has an informational website about Voter ID called Bring It to the Ballot. This site has definitive information about what ID is required and how to get ID if you do not already have it. 

The WEC also has a toll-free voter helpline: 1-866-VOTEWIS  or 1-866-868-3947.

The information below reflects the current state of the law.

An acceptable form of Voter Photo ID does NOT need to show the current address. You can update your residence address with the DMV online without needing to get a new physical license.

Acceptable ID for U.S. citizens includes:

• Wisconsin driver license expiring after November 8, 2022. A suspended or revoked license is still valid as voter ID.

• Wisconsin DOT-issued photo ID card expiring after November 8, 2022

• US passport expiring after November 8, 2022

• US Military ID expiring after November 8, 2022

• Certificate of naturalization issued within the last 2 years

• Receipt for unexpired Wisconsin driver license or state ID

• ID card issued by a federally recognized Native American Indian tribe in Wisconsin

• Veterans ID card, unexpired or with no expiration date

• Photo ID issued by a Wisconsin accredited university or college with issuance date, student signature, and expiration date within 2 years of issuance. Expired IDs are valid, but only if the student shows proof of current enrollment. This is a change that reflects a federal court ruling in late July, 2020.

  • UW-Madison students: your Wiscard is NOT a valid ID for voting. You must get a special ID card for voting (free), at Union South, or visit voterID.wisc.edu and print and sign your student ID for voting. If the ID is expired, it can still be used, but you must also show proof of current enrollment.

  • Madison College students: your Madison College ID card is NOT a valid ID for voting. You must get a Student Voter ID card (free) at Student Life. If the ID is expired, it can still be used, but you must also show proof of current enrollment.

Voter Photo ID exemptions:

• Military voters

• Voters who are permanently overseas

• Confidential voters

• Indefinitely confined voters (elderly and disabled voters who are permanent absentee voters)

• Nursing home residents and others who have ballots delivered by Special Voting Deputies

• Residents of care facilities who are not visited by Special Voting Deputies

If you do not have ID for voting purposes, you can get a free WI ID from the Department of Transportation (DOT).  If you do not have the required documents to obtain an ID card, you may petition the DMV to verify your identity with a state or federal agency. File the ID petition as soon as possible. The DMV will try to complete verification within seven business days, but the ID petition process (IDPP) may take longer. When the DMV receives your petition, they will mail you a temporary receipt that can be used for voting.  (For petitions received within a few days of an election, the receipt will be sent by overnight delivery.) See this flyer from the DMV describing what you will get.

You will need to check a box on the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) application to indicate that you need the ID for voting purposes. If you hold a valid driver license from any state and wish to obtain an ID card, you will be required to surrender your driver license and driving privilege.

Documents needed for Voter Photo ID

View this poster from the DMV describing what you need.

You need to present each of the following types of documentation (list is not exhaustive):

• Proof of name and date of birth, usually a certified birth certificate and certified marriage certificate or judgment of divorce (if name changed)

• Proof of identity, usually a Social Security card

• Proof of Wisconsin residency, usually utility bill, lease, or pay stub

• Proof of U.S. citizenship

• Social Security number

For the shortest lines, visit the DMV mid-morning or mid-afternoon and try to avoid Mondays, Fridays, and the beginning and end of each month.

ID customers are given priority service at the DMV. Although wait times vary by location and day, the DMV reports that 70% of customers wait in line less than 20 minutes. Everyone who is in the office at closing time will be served.

DMV locations and hours

Check here for real-time information on wait times at any DMV location.

Madison East DMV service center
2001 Bartillon Drive
8:30 – 4:45 Monday – Friday
8:30 – noon Saturday

Madison West DMV service center
8417 Excelsior Drive
8:30 – 4:45 Monday – Friday

Check Madison Metro for current transit information.

Help is available

• If you need assistance with the petition process for obtaining a free ID for voting, including a cab ride to the DMV, call the Voter Helpline: 608.285.2141.

• If you are a senior citizen and need a ride to the DMV to obtain a free ID for voting, RSVP volunteers working through your neighborhood senior center will drive you. Learn more here.

• If you are disabled and need a ride to the DMV to obtain a free ID for voting, the Dane County Mobility Manager can help. Call 608.242.6489.

Certified birth certificates

To obtain an ID card, you need to present a certified birth certificate or passport to the DMV (a fee is required to obtain either one of these documents*).

Born in Wisconsin
If you were born in Wisconsin and need to obtain your certified birth certificate to apply for a Wisconsin ID to vote, you may apply through the Vital Records office of either the Dane County Register of Deeds or the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The minimum fee is $20 and the person applying (you or someone applying on your behalf) must provide the following forms of identification:

• Unexpired state-issued driver license or ID card with current name and address.

  or

• An unexpired passport, military ID or tribal ID, plus one document that includes the applicant’s name and address (see below).

  or

• Two documents with the applicant’s name and address. Acceptable items include government employee ID, bank or earnings statement, health insurance card, recently dated and signed lease, utility bill, traffic ticket, vehicle registration or title.

Born out-of-state
Other states’ vital record agencies. If you are assisting someone who does not have internet access, the Dane County Voter ID coalition can help. Call their Helpline: 608.285.2141.

*If you do not have the required documents to obtain an ID card, you may petition the DMV to verify your identity with a state or federal agency, as described at the beginning of this section.