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Voter ID Requirements

To vote, voters must show a valid form of photo identification (ID) that has the voter’s name and photograph, and the identification must not be expired.

Acceptable Forms of Identification

Acceptable forms of photo ID under Ohio law are:

  • Ohio driver license, State of Ohio ID card, or interim ID form issued by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

  • A United States (U.S.) passport or U.S. passport card.

  • A U.S. military ID card, U.S. military dependent ID card, Ohio National Guard ID card, or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card.

Examples of Ohio driver’s licenses labeled as sample IDs.

  • Driver License

Examples of Ohio state identification cards labeled as sample IDs.

  • State ID

Sample United States passport identification page.

  • U.S. Passport

Sample interim driver’s license document with photo and voter ID information.

  • Interim ID

Sample United States passport card identification.

  • U.S. Passport Card

Sample United States military identification card.

  • U.S. Military ID or Ohio National Guard ID

Sample United States military dependent identification card.

  • U.S. Military Dependent ID

Examples of Veterans Affairs identification cards labeled as sample IDs.

  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID

Unacceptable Types of Identification

Ohio law prohibits acceptance of the following as forms of ID:

  • Utility bill;

  • Bank statement;

  • Government check;

  • Paycheck;

  • Other government document (other than acceptable forms listed above), such as a Social Security card or birth certificate;

  • Driver license or photo identification card issued by a state other than Ohio;

  • Ohio NON RENEWABLE/NON TRANSFERABLE ID;

  • Driver license or photo identification that contains a “NONCITIZEN” identifier may be used only in conjunction with additional proof of citizenship.

  • Ohio Mobile ID;

  • Insurance card; or

  • Any registration acknowledgment notice from the county board of elections.

Proof of Citizenship

"Proof of citizenship" means verifying that a voter is a U.S. citizen. Acceptable forms of proof include:

  • A current Ohio driver license or state ID that doesn’t indicate noncitizen status.

  • Birth certificate, report of birth certification, or consular report of birth abroad.

  • A current U.S. passport, passport card, or copies of their identification pages.

  • Certificate of naturalization or citizenship, or a copy thereof.

  • I-797 Notice of Action for Form N-565, showing an approved application to replace a naturalization document.

Other Identification Considerations

Change of Name

If the voter changed their name and:

  • provides proof of the legal name change and

  • completes and signs Form 10-L and

  • is registered within the precinct, the voter’s name as it appears on the photo ID may or may not be the voter’s reported change of name.

They are eligible for a regular ballot.

If the voter does not have proof of the legal name change, they must vote a provisional ballot.

No Photo Identification

If a voter is unable to provide photo identification, they must be provided with a provisional ballot. In order for the provisional ballot to be eligible to be counted, the voter must present one of the acceptable forms of identification to the board office within four days after Election Day.

Religious Objection

If a voter does not have a photo ID because of a religious objection to being photographed, give the voter an Affidavit of Religious Objection (Form 12-O). This may occur either when the voter casts the provisional ballot or at the office of the board by the fourth day after Election Day. PEOs must attach the affidavit to the provisional ballot affirmation.