Illinois Form DSD X 164 Disability ID Card Guide

Illinois Form DSD X 164 Disability ID Card Guide – If you live in Illinois and have a qualifying permanent disability, the Illinois Secretary of State offers a free special identification card known as the Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card. The official application form is DSD X 164. This free photo ID serves as both official identification and proof of disability under Illinois law. This guide explains eligibility, how to complete the form, the application process, benefits, and where to submit it — all based on official information from the Illinois Secretary of State and Illinois statutes.

What Is Form DSD X 164?

Form DSD X 164 is the official application issued by the Illinois Secretary of State for the Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card. The card is provided at no cost to eligible Illinois residents. It includes a photograph, signature (or mark), and a clear designation of the type and classification of the cardholder’s disability as defined in the Illinois Identification Card Act (15 ILCS 335/4A).

The form must be completed by the applicant and certified by a licensed physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or (in certain cases) a licensed physical therapist. The completed certification remains valid for three months from the medical professional’s signature date.

Download the official fillable PDF form here: Illinois Form DSD X 164 — Application for Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card (PDF).

Always download the form from the official Illinois Secretary of State website and open it with Adobe Acrobat Reader for best results. Forms should be completed on a computer before printing.

Eligibility Requirements for the Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card

To qualify, you must:

Be a resident of the State of Illinois
Have a disability that is expected to continue indefinitely
Meet the definition of a “person with a disability” under Section 4A of the Illinois Identification Card Act

The disability must fall into one of five types (Physical, Developmental, Visual, Hearing, or Mental) and be classified as Class 1, Class 1A, Class 2, or Class 2A. A medical professional must certify both the type and class on Form DSD X 164.

Applicants who already hold a valid out-of-state identification card, license, or permit must surrender it before an Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card can be issued.

Types and Classes of Disabilities

Illinois law defines five types of disabilities and four classes. Your medical professional will select the primary type and class (and may rank additional types by priority) on the form.

Types of Disabilities

Type One – Physical (P): A permanent physical impairment, disease, or loss that substantially limits physical ability or motor skills.
Type Two – Developmental (D): A disability attributable to an intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or a similar condition that requires comparable services. It must originate before age 22 (or as defined in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code), continue indefinitely, and cause substantial functional limitations.
Type Three – Visual (V): Blindness — central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses, or a visual field limited to 20 degrees or less.
Type Four – Hearing (H): Complete absence of hearing, or hearing so impaired (even with amplification) that other sensory input is the primary means of receiving spoken language.
Type Five – Mental (M): A significant impairment of cognitive, affective, or relational abilities that may require intervention and may be a medically diagnosable illness or disorder.

Classes of Disabilities

Class 1: Does not prevent substantial gainful activity or impair independent living or the ability to perform qualified work.
Class 1A: Same as Class 1, but the person cannot walk 200 feet or more without assistance, a device (walker, crutches, brace, wheelchair, etc.), or great difficulty/discomfort due to neurologic, orthopedic, oncological, respiratory, cardiac, arthritic, blindness, or limb-loss impairments.
Class 2: Prevents substantial gainful activity, substantially impairs independent living without supervision or in-home support, or significantly restricts the ability to perform qualified labor or services.
Class 2A: Same as Class 2, plus the walking limitation described in Class 1A.

Full statutory definitions are available in 15 ILCS 335/4A.

How to Complete Form DSD X 164?

The form has three main sections:

Applicant Section — Provide your legal name, address, Social Security number, sex, height, weight, hair color, eye color, date of birth, and existing driver’s license or ID number (if any). Sign and date the affidavit affirming the information is true. Two witnesses may be required if a mark is used in place of a signature.
Medical Professional Section — The physician (or authorized medical professional) certifies the type(s) and class(es) of disability in priority order, signs, dates, and provides name, address, and phone number. Physician assistants and advanced practice nurses may also certify when authorized.
Secretary of State Use Only — Completed by facility staff.

The medical certification is valid for only three months. Incomplete forms are not accepted.

Required Documents and Application Process

To apply:

Download and complete Form DSD X 164.
Have your medical professional complete and sign the certification section.
Gather acceptable proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number (the same documents required for a standard Illinois ID or driver’s license). REAL ID-compliant cards require additional proof of lawful status in the United States.
Visit a local Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services facility (DMV) in person. Appointments are recommended at many locations.

Find a facility near you using the official Illinois Secretary of State Facility Finder.

There is no fee for the initial card or the one-time renewal.

Fees, Validity, and Renewal

The Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card is issued free of charge. The card is valid for 10 years. A one-time renewal may be requested within 30 days after expiration and is also free; the renewed card is valid for an additional five years. Any later application is treated as a new application.

You must notify the Secretary of State in writing of name changes (within 30 days), address changes (within 10 days), or changes in disability type/class (within 60 days) to receive a corrected card.

Benefits and Uses of the Card

The Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card can be used for:

Official photo identification in any lawful situation (similar to a driver’s license or standard state ID)
Proof of disability when required by Illinois law — no additional medical documentation is needed
Applying for Persons with Disabilities license plates or parking placards (especially helpful for Class 1A or 2A classifications)
Property tax exemptions for persons with disabilities
Reduced campsite fees at Illinois state parks
Optional inclusion of medical information that may assist emergency responders

Upon issuance for Developmental or Mental disability types, the Secretary of State will inform you about a free Person with a Disability Wallet Card that can help communicate your diagnosis to first responders.

For parking privileges, a separate certification form (VSD 62) is usually required in addition to or instead of the disability ID card. Learn more on the official Persons with Disabilities Parking Program page.

Important Notes and Warnings

Misuse of the card (lending it to others, altering it, or using a revoked/canceled card) can result in revocation and possible criminal penalties.
Medical information on the card is protected and not disclosed without a court order or written consent.
If your disability is so severe that it precludes obtaining a driver’s license and you currently hold one, the case may be reviewed for possible license cancellation.
Applications may be denied for incomplete forms, false information, or failure to meet eligibility criteria. Appeal rights are available.

Always use the most current version of the form from the official Illinois Secretary of State website: Persons with Disabilities Publications and Forms.

Additional Resources

This guide is intended for informational purposes for U.S. residents, particularly those living in Illinois. Requirements can change; always verify the latest instructions and forms directly with the Illinois Secretary of State before applying.