All international students are recommended to obtain and carry a Minnesota ID (or Minnesota Driver’s License) while at St. Olaf College. Two types of Minnesota ID currently exist: the MN State ID and the MN REAL ID. They are both government-issued ID that can be used as proof of identity that can be carried on your person in lieu of a passport. A passport and F-1 visa are expensive to replace should it be lost, stolen, or somehow destroyed. Both the MN ID and MN REAL ID are much cheaper and easier to replace.
MN State ID vs. MN REAL ID
The MN Real ID allows an international student to fly without their passport. It gives you the ability to fly back to campus if you have to submit your passport when applying for a foreign visa to study abroad. It also gives you the ability to fly to your home country’s Embassy to obtain a new passport should it be needed.
A valid F-1 visa is required to apply for the MN REAL ID. If your F-1 visa has expired, you can obtain the MN State ID instead. The MN State ID still serves as legal identification – but it doesn’t allow you to fly domestically without your passport.
How to Apply
The application process to obtain either identification document is simple. Go at any point during business hours to the DMV office located in Northfield City Hall and fill out the application form. They will take your photograph and collect the fee ($36). You can pay with cash or with a credit card. There is a small fee associated with using a credit card for payment. You will get your ID in the mail in 4-6 weeks for a MN State ID and 8-12 weeks for a MN REAL ID. Both forms of MN ID expire and will need to be renewed when you turn 21 or after 4 years – whichever comes first.
Documents needed for the MN State ID.
- Form I-20
- Passport
- I-94 Arrival Record
- Social Security Card -> The physical card is required. If you haven’t received your Social Security Card yet – you must wait to apply for your MN State ID until after your card arrives.
- TWO documents proving your Minnesota residency -> See what documents are acceptable for this on the Department of Public Services website.
Documents needed for the MN REAL ID
- Form I-20
- Passport
- F-1 Visa -> Your F-1 visa must be valid to apply for the REAL ID. If your F-1 visa has expired, you can only obtain the MN State ID.
- I-94 Arrival Record
- Social Security Card -> The physical card is required. If you haven’t received your Social Security Card yet – you must wait to apply for your MN State ID until after your card arrives.
- TWO documents proving your Minnesota residency -> See what documents are acceptable for this on the Department of Public Services website