PennDOT Form DL-54A – PA Photo Identification Card Guide – If you need a government-issued photo identification card in Pennsylvania but do not require a driver’s license, the PennDOT Form DL-54A is the official application you must complete. This form, titled “Application for Initial Identification,” allows eligible Pennsylvania residents to obtain a secure Photo Identification Card issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
A Pennsylvania Photo ID Card is accepted for many official purposes, including banking, employment verification, voting, and (when REAL ID-compliant) certain federal uses. It is not a driver’s license and does not authorize the holder to operate a motor vehicle.
What Is PennDOT Form DL-54A?
Form DL-54A is the official application used to request an initial Pennsylvania Photo Identification Card. It is intended for applicants who have never held a Pennsylvania driver’s license, learner’s permit, or identification card, or for licensed drivers who want a separate non-driver ID card.
The current version of the form (DL-54A, revised 7-25) is available as a fillable PDF from the official Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website. You can download it directly here:
Download PennDOT Form DL-54A (PDF)
Always download the form from the official pa.gov domain to ensure you are using the most current version.
Who Is Eligible for a Pennsylvania Photo Identification Card?
According to official PennDOT guidelines, a Pennsylvania Photo Identification Card may be issued to any Pennsylvania resident who is at least 10 years of age. Key eligibility points include:
- You must be a resident of Pennsylvania.
- Applicants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse who is at least 18 years old.
- If you currently hold a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license or permit, you may still apply for a separate Photo ID Card using Form DL-54A.
- Out-of-state driver’s licenses or ID cards must generally be surrendered when applying for a Pennsylvania Photo ID.
For individuals experiencing homelessness, PennDOT offers free initial Photo ID cards under certain conditions. Details are available on the official Get a Photo ID page.
Required Documents for Form DL-54A
PennDOT requires specific original documents to verify identity, Social Security number, and Pennsylvania residency. Photocopies are not accepted.
For U.S. Citizens
You must present:
- Original Social Security Card AND
- One of the following:
- U.S. birth certificate with raised seal (issued by an authorized government agency, including U.S. territories or Puerto Rico)
- Certificate of U.S. Citizenship (USCIS Form N-560)
- Certificate of Naturalization (USCIS Form N-550 or N-570)
- Valid U.S. Passport or Passport Card
If your current name differs from the name on the identity document, bring an original marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
For Non-U.S. Citizens
You must present original USCIS/immigration documents showing lawful status, a valid passport (depending on status), and either a Social Security Card or an SSA ineligibility letter.
Proof of Pennsylvania Residency (Required for Applicants 18 and Older)
Present two documents that show your name and current Pennsylvania street address. Acceptable examples include:
- Current, unexpired Pennsylvania driver’s license or Photo ID Card
- PA vehicle registration card
- Auto insurance card
- Computer-generated utility bill (electric, gas, cable, cell phone)
- W-2 form or pay stub
- Lease agreement or mortgage documents
- Official tax records
- Post-marked mail or package labels from USPS, UPS, or FedEx
If you live with someone and have no bills in your name, you may bring that person (with their PA driver’s license or Photo ID) plus one piece of mail addressed to you at the same address.
Detailed lists are available on the official Proof of Identity and Residency page and in publications such as Pub 195US.
How to Complete and Submit Form DL-54A?
Follow these steps carefully:
- Download and complete Form DL-54A. Fill out every required section accurately. The form includes fields for personal information, height, eye color, gender designation, organ donor preference, and veteran designation if applicable.
- Gather supporting documents as described above.
- Pay the required fee. The initial Photo Identification Card fee is $43.50 (as listed on the current form and official fee schedule). Payment may be made by check or money order payable to PennDOT, or by debit/credit card at Driver License Centers. Cash is not accepted at most locations.
- Submit the application:
- First-time applicants (never held a PA driver’s license, permit, or ID) must apply in person at a PennDOT Driver License Center.
- Applicants who already hold a Pennsylvania driver’s license or permit may mail the completed form and documents to:
Bureau of Driver Licensing
P.O. Box 68272
Harrisburg, PA 17106-8272
or apply in person.
- At the Driver License Center, staff will review your documents. You will then have your photo taken (PennDOT uses advanced facial recognition technology). In most cases, the Photo ID Card is issued the same day.
Locate your nearest Driver License Center using the official Find a Location tool.
Fees for Pennsylvania Photo Identification Cards
According to the current official PennDOT fee schedule:
- Initial Identification Card: $43.50
- Renewal: $44.50
- Replacement/Duplicate: $42.50
Fees are subject to change. Always verify the latest amounts on the Payments and Fees page or the form itself. Optional contributions to the Organ Donation Awareness Trust Fund ($3) or Veterans’ Trust Fund ($5) may also be selected on the form.
Important Notes About REAL ID
Beginning May 7, 2025, a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or Photo ID Card (or another federally accepted form of identification such as a passport) is required to board domestic commercial flights or enter certain federal facilities. Obtaining a REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania. If you want a REAL ID Photo ID Card, additional documentation is required. Learn more on the official REAL ID page.
Tips for a Successful Application
- Download the form only from the official pa.gov website.
- Use original documents only—photocopies are not accepted.
- Ensure all names and dates of birth match across documents, or bring legal proof of name changes.
- Arrive at the Driver License Center prepared with payment and all required paperwork.
- For questions, contact the PennDOT Customer Call Center at 717-412-5300 (TTY: dial 711) or visit www.pa.gov/dmv.
Related Forms and Resources
- Form DL-54B – Used for change, correction, replacement, or renewal of an existing Photo ID Card.
- Official Get a Photo ID page
- Proof of Identity and Residency requirements
- Current PennDOT Fees
By following the official instructions and using Form DL-54A correctly, Pennsylvania residents can efficiently obtain a secure Photo Identification Card. Always rely on information published by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at pa.gov for the most accurate and up-to-date guidance.