Government Documents (State ID, Drivers License, Birth Certificate, Social Security Card)

This section contains resources to obtain doucments that are often required or highly recommended in order to obtain employment and access government resources.

State ID / TIP Card

 Information Pulled from: Express Lane

To get a state ID OR TIP Card (it's highly recommended to get a TIP Card so you can use that to enroll in Driver's Education and it allows you to do everything a state ID does and it's the same price) with the REAL ID Star, you must bring to the Office of Motor Vehicles:

You can still get your TIP Card without the REAL ID Star if you have:

1. Primary Document (Offical Birth Certificate or Passport)

2. Either Social Security card, proof of residence, school verification form.

3. Photo ID (Student ID, State ID, TWIC Card, Employer Card)

4. $40 (cheaper if you pay cash)

See the full list of documentation here.

OMV Locations:

Even though all locations take walk-ins so long as you get there early in the morning, it is highly recommended that you make an appointment.

New Orleans East  
Phone: 504-243-7501
Address: 7500 Bullard Ave Ste. 104 New Orleans, LA,
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am -4:00pm

Veterans
Phone: 504-483-1870
Address: 100 Veterans Blvd New Orleans, LA, 70124
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am -4:00pm

Westbank - Oakwood Ctr (formerly Harvey)

Phone: (504) 361-6222
Address: 197 WESTBANK EXPRESSWAY SUITE 1230, GRETNA, LA 70053
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am -4:00pm

Drivers Ed & License

Once you have your TIP Card, you can sign up for driver's ed:

• • Under 18 - The 38 hour driver education course consists of 30 hour classroom instruction and 8 hours behind the wheel instruction.

  • 18 and Over - The pre-licensing course consists of 6 hour classroom instruction and 8 hours behind the wheel instruction.

Driving Schools you can attend in New Orleans: 

 Progressive Coalition of New Orleans Driving School   

• • Address: 3103 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117

  • Hours: Open 9am... Hours or services may differ

  • Phone: (504)333-6321  

  • Prices: Click here                  

New Orleans Safe Driving School

• • Address:2518 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

  • Hours: Open 9AM... Hours or services may differ

  • Phone: (504)821-5334

  • Prices: click here

Crescent City Driving School

• Address: 2022 Saint Bernard Avenue, Bldg. C New Orleans, Louisiana 70116

• Hours: 08:00 am – 05:00 pm

• Phone: (504) 603-4555

• Prices: click here

Click here for the study guide for the written test.

Birth Certificates

Information Pulled From Louisiana Department Of Health

Fees and documents

Please be prepared to complete an application  for a birth certificate, photo ID, and correct fees (confirm current costs here)

Birth Certificate -$15.00 each

Birth Certificate + Birth card (sold as pair only) -$ 24.00

There are three ways to obtain a certified copy of a Louisiana birth certificate.

Mail Requests

You may mail your completed request, a copy of your photo identification, and correct fees to:

Vital Records Registry

PO Box 60630

New Orleans, LA 70160

Please complete the application to obtain a certified birth certificate and allow approximately 8-10 weeks for delivery.

Internet, Fax or telephone 

You may use a major credit card to place internet, fax, or telephone orders through VitalChek Network, an authorized service provider. There are additional fees when using this service provider or requesting expedited services.

To order using the VitalChek Network, visit their website or call 1-877-605-8562.

If you have already placed a VitalChek Network order, you may also check the status.

To inquire about an order placed with VitalChek, please call 1-877-605-8562.

Louisiana Office of Public Health does not directly accept credit cards or online orders; however, for your convenience, you can process online requests through the independent company that we have partnered with above in order to provide you with this service, VitalChek Network, Inc. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard® or Visa®.

In-person Requests*

Vital Record Central offices 

Address: 1450 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA 70112

Hours: M-F 8 am-3:30 pm

Phone : (504) 593- 5100

You may complete an application for a certified copy of a birth certificate, bring your photo identification and correct fees to the Vital Records

Walk-in services accept cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards as forms of payment

*New Orleans Vital Records Walk-In Services are currently not available due to COVID-19***

***Covid-19 Steps to getting your birth certificate the same day.

• Visit Vital Check Network

• Select Birth Certificates 

• It will then Ask for more information

• The next step is to select “Will Call”

Will call is the option of picking the item up at the office same day

Will call Fees- Agency Certification fee $15.00

                     Agency Expedite fee      $    .50

                  Vital Check processing fee $  4.00

                                                            Total $19.50                    

You will receive an email when your order is available for pickup.

Orders can be picked up at Louisiana Vital Records, 1450 Poydras St, Suite 400, New >Orleans, LA 70112. 

• Office hours are 8:00 am - 3:30 pm Monday - Friday.

• The applicant on the order must be the person picking up the order and will be required to show valid photo identification.

• Orders not picked up within 50 business days will be shipped via Regular Mail.

Social Security Cards (SSC)

Check out SSA.gov for the most up-to-date process to replace your SSC.

Step 1: Gather Documentation

You'll need to gather some important original documents or copies certified by the issuing agency (photocopies or notarized copies are not accepted by the Social Security Administration). The paperwork needed is used to prove the following:

• Citizenship: You must show proof of your U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate or a U.S. passport.

• Age: You must show proof of your age with a birth certificate, U.S. hospital birth record, U.S. passport or religious record made before the age of 5 showing your date of birth.

• Identity: You must prove your identity showing a U.S. driver's license, state-issued ID card, U.S. passport or employee ID card, school ID card, military ID card or health insurance card (not a Medicare card).

All of the documents must be up to date, as the SSA will not accept expired documents or receipts showing that you have applied for these documents.

Step 2: Apply Online

Fill out the Social Security card application using the documents above or create a SSA account to fill out the application online.

Step 3: Visit the Local SSA Office

Print out and bring your application and the original documents to your local SSA office. If you filled out the application online, the site will direct you to a page where you can find the closest SSA office in your area. You can also submit your application using an online form, provided you meet certain criteria.

Local Social Security Administration

West Bank
Address:115 Terry Pkwy, Terrytown, LA 70056
Hours: M-F 9AM- 4PM
Phone :(866) 931- 2524

Downtown New Orleans
Address: 400 Poydras St Ste 500, New Orleans, LA 70130
Hours: M-F 9AM-4PM
Phone:(866) 931- 2524

Kenner
Address :1616 Joe Yenni Blvd, Kenner, LA 70065
Hours M-F 9AM-4PM
Phone: (888)257-0984

TWIC Card

For folks looking to work on the river or offshore, many Maritime jobs either provide you with your TWIC Card OR ask you to have it before you apply.  

To learn more about Maritime Career Pathways, check out the We Work the Water Career Hub and their job search tool which allows you to research different job titles and employers who are recruiting for those positions.

A TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) - Card is required by the Maritime Transportation Security Act for workers who need access to secure areas of the nation’s maritime facilities and vessels.

Eligibility for a TWIC Card is based on:

1. 1. US Citizenship

   2. Ability to provide required Documents (see here for a walkthrough of docs or here for  

   3. Clean record (see here for a list of disqualifying offenses)

   4. **If someone is under 18 years but wants to get their TWIC Card, they will need to bring their guardian with them to the TWIC application appointment)**

If you are eligible and need a TWIC Card to apply, the TSA conducts a security threat assessment (background check) to determine a person’s eligibility and issues the credential.  In addition to paying the ~$125.25 fee, you can:

• Apply Online

• Schedule an appointment

• Walk-in @ the New Orleans TWIC Provider:  IdentoGO: 201 St Charles Ave, STE 114, New Orleans, LA 70170 || Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM