{"id":498,"date":"2026-09-29T15:29:53","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T20:29:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/international-student-immigration\/?page_id=498"},"modified":"2026-09-29T15:37:24","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T20:37:24","slug":"reasons-to-get-and-carry-a-minnesota-id-or-minnesota-drivers-license","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/international-student-compliance-and-support\/reasons-to-get-and-carry-a-minnesota-id-or-minnesota-drivers-license\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting a Minnesota ID"},"content":{"rendered":"
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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<\/em> and the MN REAL ID<\/em>.\u00a0They 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MN State ID<\/em> vs. MN REAL ID<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The MN Real ID<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A valid F-1 visa is required to apply for the\u00a0MN REAL ID<\/em>. If your F-1 visa has expired, you can obtain the\u00a0MN State ID <\/em>instead.\u00a0The MN State ID still serves as legal identification – but it doesn’t allow you to fly domestically without your passport. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

How to Apply<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The application process to obtain either identification document is simple. Go at any point during\u00a0business hours<\/a>\u00a0to the\u00a0DMV office<\/a>\u00a0located 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\u00a0card. There is a small fee associated with using a\u00a0credit card\u00a0for payment. You will get your ID in the mail\u00a0 in 4-6 weeks for a\u00a0MN State ID<\/em>\u00a0and 8-12 weeks for a\u00a0MN\u00a0REAL ID<\/em>. Both forms of MN ID expire and will need to be renewed when you turn 21 or after 4 years – whichever comes first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Documents needed for the\u00a0MN State ID.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n