Missouri

Registered voters in Missouri need to confirm their identity when they vote in person. There are several forms of identification you can use.

Some voters need to provide a copy of an acceptable ID to vote by mail.

Is out-of-state ID accepted?

No!
You cannot use an ID issued by another state.

Is student ID accepted?

No!
You cannot use a student ID to vote in Missouri.

Is an expired ID accepted?

Sometimes!
See acceptable ID list below for more details.

Learn About Voting In Person
Learn About Voting By Mail
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Missouri ID Requirements for Voting In Person

ACCEPTABLE PHOTO ID

  • Nonexpired Missouri driver’s license;
  • Nonexpired or nonexpiring Missouri nondriver’s license;
  • A document that satisfies ALL of the following requirements:
    • The document contains your name, and the name substantially conforms to the most recent signature in your voter registration record.
    • The document shows your photograph.
    • The document includes an expiration date that is not expired OR expired after the date of the most recent general election.
    • The document was issued by the United States or the state of Missouri.
  • Any identification that:
    • has your photograph.
    • is not expired or does not have an expiration date.
    • is issued by the Missouri National Guard, the United States Armed Forces (including the Space Force), or the United States Department of Veteran Affairs to a member or former member of the Missouri National Guard or the United States Armed Forces (including the Space Force).
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Frequently Asked Questions

The state of Missouri and all fee offices shall provide one nondriver’s license at no cost if you are an otherwise qualified voter who does not already possess such identification and you want the identification for voting.

The state of Missouri and its agencies shall provide one copy of each of the following, free of charge, if you need them to obtain a form of personal photo identification described above in order to vote:

  • birth certificate
  • marriage license or certificate
  • divorce decree
  • certificate of decree of adoption
  • court order changing your name
  • Social Security card reflecting an updated name
  • Naturalization papers or other documents from the United States Department of State proving citizenship

If you are seeking one of the above documents in order to obtain a form of personal photo identification for voting, you may request the secretary of state to help acquire such documents.

The secretary of state shall pay any fees charged by another state or its agencies, or any court of competent jurisdiction in this state or any other state, or the federal government or its agencies, in order to obtain any of the above documents from such state or the federal government.

Registered voters in Missouri must confirm their identity when they vote in person.

If you are a registered voter but do not present a valid ID at the polling place, you must complete a provisional ballot affidavit on the provisional ballot envelope in order to cast a provisional ballot. The provisional ballot envelope provides a place for your name, address, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Your provisional ballot will be counted if:

  • you return to the polling place before it closes on Election Day and present acceptable ID

 OR

  • if your signature on the provisional ballot envelope matches your signature in the voter registry.

Get in touch with VoteRiders if you have questions or need free help securing ID.

You do not need a REAL ID to vote in Missouri.

Your driver’s license or state ID card will show a star in the upper corner if it meets REAL ID requirements under federal law.

Get in touch with VoteRiders if you have questions or need free help getting ID.

Find up-to-date service and location information.

Missouri ID Requirements for Voting By Mail

Missouri voters can vote absentee by mail if you expect to be prevented from going to the polls to vote on Election Day due to an eligible excuse. Generally, you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number on the application form. Some voters must provide a copy of their ID. Please see the details below.

You can also vote absentee in person without an excuse during the two weeks before the election. You must show an acceptable ID to vote.

BUT: If it is your first time voting in a federal election in Missouri, please see the federal ID requirements for first-time voters. A federal election is when you vote for the President, your Congressional Representative or your Senators.

REQUEST YOUR BALLOT

Frequently Asked Questions

You may request an absentee ballot if you are a registered voter and have an excuse:

  1. Absence on Election Day from the jurisdiction of the election authority in which you are registered to vote;
  2. Incapacity or confinement due to illness or physical disability on Election Day, including if you are primarily responsible for the physical care of a person who is incapacitated or confined due to illness or disability and you reside at the same address;
  3. Religious beliefs or practice;
  4. Employment as an election authority or by an election authority at a location other than your polling place, a first responder, a health care worker, or a member of law enforcement;
  5. Incarceration, provided all qualifications for voting are retained;
  6. Certified participation in the address confidentiality program established under sections 589.660 to 589.681 because of safety concerns.

Starting six weeks before the election, any registered voter with an excuse can vote absentee in person at a location designated by the election authority.

During the two weeks before the election, no excuse is necessary and any registered voter may vote an absentee ballot in person at a location designated by your local election authority.

When voting an absentee ballot in person, you must show an acceptable form of photo ID. In person absentee voters are not eligible to receive a provisional ballot.

If you request your absentee ballot in person, you will be required to present an acceptable photo ID.

If you request your absentee ballot by mail, you are generally not required to include a copy of your ID. You must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number on the request form.

However, if you registered to vote by mail and have not voted in person and shown an acceptable ID, you must provide a copy of your ID along with your absentee ballot application.

If you need a copy of your ID and don’t have the means to print one, VoteRiders can provide free help printing a copy of your ID. Get free help printing a copy of your ID

No, but the signature on your absentee ballot envelope must match your signature on file with the state.

Also, if you have not requested and completed your absentee ballot in person with an acceptable ID at the office of the election authority, your ballot envelope must be notarized. There are only two exceptions:

  • Incapacity or confinement due to illness or physical disability on Election Day (including a person who is primarily responsible for the physical care of a person who is incapacitated or confined due to illness or disability and resides at the same address).
  • Incarceration.

There is no process to “cure” (fix) your ballot if it is rejected.

MISSOURI SECRETARY OF STATE