HOW TO OBTAIN A NO-FEE BIRTH CERTIFICATE
The No-Fee Birth Certificate Program, offered in partnership by the DC Department of Human Services (DHS) and the DC Department of Health (DC Health), is designed to ensure District-born residents who are experiencing homelessness are eligible to obtain a birth certificate from the DC Vital Records Division at no cost.
To obtain a no-fee birth certificate, District-born residents should:
- Complete the no-fee birth certificate voucher form provided by DHS.
A homeless services provider must complete and submit the form to DHS on behalf of a client. A valid Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) number is required.
DHS will review the submission, upload it to the client’s record in HMIS, and send an approved form (with signature) back to the homeless services provider.
The approved form is printed and given to the client in hard copy, which the client must submit to DC Health to obtain their birth certificate at no cost.
- Take the approved voucher form to the DC Vital Records Division located at 2201 Shannon Place SE and use a self-service kiosk to verify your identity.
The DC Vital Records Division does NOT accept voucher forms as proof of identity. All necessary documentation for proof of identity is still required to receive a birth certificate from DC Health.
For more information about identity verification at the self-service kiosks, please see DC Health’s Identity Verification Requirements and Entitlement Verification Requirements before you visit the DC Vital Records Division.
- Submit the approved voucher form as payment.
Upon successful completion of the identity verification process, DC Health staff will determine whether a birth certificate can be issued. If so, the client should present their approved voucher form to DC Health staff so the birth certificate fee can be waived.
HOW TO OBTAIN A NO-FEE NON-DRIVER IDENTIFICATION CARD
The DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has partnered with DHS to assist residents experiencing homelessness in obtaining a DC identification card at no cost. This partnership requires DHS to confirm an individual's residency status. DHS does this by working with various providers, including our outreach teams, day centers, and youth programs, to attest to an individual experiencing homelessness and confirm documented engagements within the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
To obtain a no-fee non-driver identification card, a resident should:
- Contact or walk into a DHS-designated access point to complete a proof of residency form.
A homeless services provider must complete the Homeless Services Proof of Residency Form on behalf of a client. A valid HMIS number is required.
Clients may walk into or connect with any of the following DHS-designated access points to complete the form:
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ADULT DAY CENTERS |
YOUTH DROP-IN CENTERS |
OUTREACH PROVIDERS |
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801 East Men’s Day Mon. – Fri., 9 AM – 5 PM |
Latin American Youth Center Mon., 9 AM – 4 PM; |
Community Connections Mon. – Thu., 8 AM – 2 PM |
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Adams Place Day Mon. – Fri., 9 AM – 5 PM |
SAMU First Response Mon. – Fri., & every 3rd Forms not yet available at |
Miriam’s Kitchen Mon. – Fri., 9 AM – 5 PM |
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Downtown Day Mon. – Fri., 9 AM – 5 PM; |
Sasha Bruce Youthwork - Mon. Tue. & Thu 8 AM – |
Pathways to Housing Mon. – Fri., 9 AM – 5 PM |
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Zoe's Doors Youth |
The Ready Center |
- Work with access point staff to verify and/or obtain required documentation.
To be eligible for the Homeless Services Proof of Residency Form, clients must provide one (1) form of identification and one (1) letter from a case manager attesting to the individual’s residency and confirmation of homelessness in the District.
Clients must have a minimum of two (2) engagements in the DC homeless services system within 30 days of the Proof of Residency Form request date that are documented in HMIS to validate a letter of attestation.
Documentation to meet these requirements includes:
Valid form of identification (document must be original; copies not accepted)
- Birth Certificate
- Passport
- Social Security Card
- Government-issued ID (expired or current)
- Other official documentation verifying identity
Letter of attestation
- Must confirm the client’s housing/residency status (i.e., experiencing homelessness)
- Must include the client’s full name and date of birth
- Must be printed on official letterhead
- Must be signed and dated by the case manager
- If client is unsheltered (living on the street): must provide exact location/coordinates of visual attestation and engagement (i.e., corner of New York Ave & Florida Ave NE)
- Take the completed Homeless Services Proof of Residency Form and proof of identity to a DMV Service Center to receive a one-time, no-fee identification card.
When a client arrives at the DMV, they will be asked for the following:
- A completed Homeless Services Proof of Residency Form
- Proof of Identity (i.e., birth certificate, passport, etc.)
- Social Security Number*
* The DMV will electronically verify the client’s SSN. If it is verified, ID card applicants do not need to provide physical proof of their SSN or show their Social Security card.
FAQ: NO-FEE NON-DRIVER IDENTIFICATION CARD
Why are Proof of Residency forms only available at the designated locations?
Proof of Residency forms are available at three adult day centers, three youth drop-in centers, and authorized DHS-sponsored outreach providers.
The forms are intended for individuals experiencing homelessness and are designed as a one-time resource per individual. DHS standardized the process to ensure quality control and accurate eligibility determination.
The DMV has tasked DHS with confirming an individual's residency status. DHS does this by working with various providers, including our outreach teams, day centers, and youth programs, to attest to an individual experiencing homelessness and confirm documented engagements in HMIS. DHS considers an individual’s interactions with the homeless system and presence in the District for 30 days or more as evidence of their DC residency.
Are there limits on how many forms each provider/service access point can distribute?
DHS initially issued 100 forms to each location and outreach provider. Additional forms are provided upon request when a provider has 25 or fewer forms. DHS monitors utilization and will make adjustments if needed.
When did a Social Security number become a requirement for obtaining a Proof of Residency form?
SSN was never a requirement. DHS initially required two (2) forms of identification (e.g., birth certificate, passport). A Social Security card was commonly used but not mandatory. Going forward, DHS now requires only one form of identification.
For a replacement ID within eight years, does the individual need a new Proof of Residency form?
Possibly. A new form is NOT needed if an individual has previously received an ID and meets the eligibility requirements for an online replacement card. If an individual does not meet the online requirements, then a new form is required to confirm current circumstances and track usage. A replacement ID request or name change request will NOT be “no-fee” and the individual will be responsible for all associated costs. This is the case for any request beyond the initial form request for 8 years from the initial receipt of an ID.
If someone has the Proof of Residency form, can they obtain a driver’s license for no fee?
No, the Proof of Residency form is used to establish District residency and may be used as a resource for a no-fee non-driver’s ID. An individual may use the form as a resource for a driver’s license, but the driver’s license does have a fee, and the individual will be responsible for all associated costs.
Updated: March 5, 2026