Reviewed and updated October 14, 2026 by the SearchSystems.net editorial team. Every fact on this page was read that day from the Texas agency that publishes it, the Department of Public Safety for driver licenses and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for titles and registration, and the official page each fact came from is linked where it appears.
The free photo ID Texas issues for voting only: who qualifies and who does not, how to apply at a driver license office, the documents, and the term and limits of the certificate. A regular ID card, which works for every purpose, is on the ID card guide.
In this guide: Who qualifies, How to apply, The documents, Term and limits, Questions about the EIC
Who qualifies
Since the August 10, 2016 change in Texas voter identification rules, which DPS's EIC page refers to the Secretary of State for, an election identification certificate is one of the photo IDs accepted at the polls. DPS issues it at no charge to a person who holds none of these: a Texas driver license, a Texas personal identification card, a concealed handgun license or license to carry, a U.S. passport book or card, or a U.S. military identification with photo, each unexpired or expired no more than four years, or a U.S. citizenship certificate or certificate of naturalization with photo. Anyone who holds a Texas license or ID already has a valid voting ID and does not need the certificate. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, a Texas resident, eligible to vote in Texas, and 17 years and 10 months or older.
How to apply
Schedule an appointment at any driver license office on the DPS scheduler; DPS says EICs are given priority on arrival, that someone whose license or ID has expired books the appointment for the type of card they hold and surrenders the expired card, and that the Services Not Listed option can be used to book. Complete the Application for Texas Election Certificate (DL-14C, or DL-14CS in Spanish). No fingerprints are taken and no warrant checks are run on EIC applicants.
The documents
Bring documentation of U.S. citizenship and of identity from the lists on the driver license page, and either a valid voter registration card or a voter registration application submitted through DPS at the office. The name and date of birth must match across the documents; a name different from the birth certificate, a married name for example, takes an original or certified marriage license, divorce decree, revised birth certificate, court order or Department of State Health Services marriage verification letter, with no photocopies accepted.
Term and limits
An EIC is valid for six years, and certificates issued to citizens 70 or older carry no expiration date. It may be used only for voting: DPS states it will not be accepted to verify identity when applying for a Texas driver license or ID card. General voting information is at VoteTexas.gov.
Questions about the EIC
Who can get an EIC?
A Texas resident 17 years and 10 months or older who is eligible to vote and holds none of the accepted photo IDs: a Texas driver license or ID card, a concealed handgun license or license to carry, a U.S. passport book or card, a U.S. military ID with photo, each unexpired or expired no more than four years, or a citizenship or naturalization certificate with photo.
Does it cost anything?
No. DPS issues it at no charge, takes no fingerprints and runs no warrant check.
Where do I apply?
At any of the more than 230 driver license offices, by appointment on the DPS scheduler. DPS says EIC applicants are given priority on arrival; someone whose old license or ID has expired books the appointment type for the card they hold and surrenders it, and the Services Not Listed option works too.
How long is it valid?
Six years, and with no expiration date for a citizen 70 or older.
Can I use it as ID for anything else?
No. DPS says the certificate may only be used for voting and is not accepted as proof of identity when applying for a Texas driver license or ID card.
What if I am not registered to vote?
Bring a valid voter registration card, or submit a voter registration application through DPS at the office during the EIC appointment.
Written by SearchSystems.net from the Texas DPS election identification certificate page and its identification requirements page, read on October 14, 2026.