State ID card protects child’s safety

As the summer holiday travel season nears, there is an easy step you can take to protect your child in case of an emergency.

Through the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division, families can obtain an Arizona identification card for their child. Identification cards are available at any ADOT MVD office.

Having a photo identification card for your child is valuable in emergency situations. It assists law enforcement agencies in rapidly distributing a child’s information and photograph in the event the child becomes lost.Having an ID card also can help prevent against identity theft and may even be useful when traveling in and out of the country.

All ages are eligible to receive a state ID card – even babies. The cost is $12. Documents proving identity, including the child’s social security number, are required. Primary and secondary documents are needed to establish the child’s identity. These include two documents if one has a clear photo of the child. Otherwise, three documents without photos can be shown. You must bring at least one document that’s listed as a “primary” document. The others can be off the “secondary” list available at http://bit.ly/ADOTID.

Parents are reminded that it is important to update their child’s information and photo as they grow older. Photo updates are available at MVD offices – a duplicate card with the new photo is $12.

Visit the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division website at www.azdot.gov/mvd for more information and office locations.