SPEEDWAY, Ind. — BMV officials on Wednesday said getting a free ID for voting purposes is easier than many people think.
Indiana law requires a photo ID issued by either the state or federal government in order to vote. Acceptable forms of identification include an Indiana driver’s license, a military ID or a passport. College IDs are no longer accepted at the polls.
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles offers free, non-driver photo IDs at all of its branches if you don’t have an acceptable form of identification. Ross Gray, the BMV’s executive director of credentials, said you need to provide the same proof of identity for a non-driver ID as you would a driver’s license. First, you must prove your citizenship status, typically with a birth certificate, passport or naturalization papers if you are a naturalized citizen. Next, you must provide your Social Security card to prove your Social Security number. Finally, you need to provide two documents showing your current address. If you have an expired license that was issued by the state of Indiana or you need to update your address, Gray said all you need is two proofs of address, such as a lease or mail you have received within the last 60 days.
“Examples of those include something like a bill, so think like a utility bill, a phone bill, something of that nature,” he said.
New IDs cannot be provided through BMV kiosks or online, but you can use either of those two methods to renew a license if it’s about to expire.
Gray, who started out administering driving tests at a BMV branch when he joined the agency, said IDs can be processed in a matter of minutes. That matched what News 8 observed at a BMV branch in Speedway. Angel Madlock said it took him less than 10 minutes from the time he walked in the door to the time he had a new ID.
“I’d say, just go ahead and do it,” Madlock said. “It’s very quick and once it’s over, it’s over and now you’ve got yourself a brand new ID.”
The BMV provides a temporary ID printed on paper before your new, permanent card arrives in the mail. Gray said the paper ID is accepted at the polls.
Early voting continues through noon Monday. BMV branches remain open for normal business hours this week. On Monday, Gray said all branches will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time. BMV branches will be open on Tuesday, which is Election Day, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., the same hours during which polls are open.
In addition to having a photo ID, you need to be registered to vote in order to cast a ballot. Voter registration for the 2026 general election ended on Oct. 5. You can check your voter registration status and see who is on your ballot by visiting the secretary of state’s voter information portal and entering your name, date of birth and the county in which you live.
