What is the process for obtaining a state-issued ID for a bedbound person in Florida or South Carolina?

hjcarrillo: Reach out to the DMV of both states. Go from there through online sites.

Check the DMV websites for both states for specifics. I know it was very easy to get our new licenses for Florida by making an appointment. It should be equally easy to do so for a state-issued ID.

Maybe you can obtain it online with an eye doctor that she used in the past. Or use the expired ID with her SS card. I personally think that moving a bedridden patient is going to be very difficult. Easier to move yourself near her even if it's temporary. Don't make her get on a plane. I think to move anywhere with her, you would need an ambulance to go long distance. I don't know of any ambulance that would do that. Maybe you can find a less expensive apartment in the same area you're in now. Have you considered nursing home placement for her and then you can go where you want? That way, you can find yourself and your less expensive place to live and then the nursing home can always help in the process if you want to move her near you. Either way, she will need ambulance transport. I think that getting a non-driver ID for her is the least of the problems you will face when moving a bedridden patient. Good luck! Hugs

As suggested on this forum, you should call the local DMV and ask them how you can go about getting a non-driver’s license for your mother for identification purposes. You are correct that it’s a requirement to have identification. If you go to your doctor’s office, they need ID. If you go to the pharmacy to ask them for a printout of your medication list they require an ID to do so. You can be 1 year old or 101 years old, age does not matter when it comes to showing your ID. Everywhere in America requires you to show ID.

I believe you will find the cost of living in South Carolina is lower than Florida:

(copy and paste)
https://dss.sc.gov/assistance-programs/snap/how-do-i-apply/help-for-the-disabled/

https://ddsn.sc.gov/services/medicaid-home-and-community-based-waiver-services/intellectual-disability-and-related

I recently moved my husband from FL to PA. PA is not as friendly as other states mentioned here. If you have troubles, please contact the local Congress official. All best wishes with your move.

Best to reach out to the state ( probably DMV) or other social service agency you are moving to and would not hurt to also inquire at the state you are presently living in as to the process. You can always benefit from conferring with an Elder Law Attorney about any procedures, expectations, accountabilities etc etc asso with caring for an aging relative as it can become quite a tangled weave.
God bless you both.

I had to do this in Ohio. You have to do it by mail and they require every kind of proof of identification and a current picture if you don't have a recent ID picture. It took over 4 months. Hopefully it's easier in Florida or S.C.

In Texas, DMV will come to your home to complete the non drivers ID. If person can not leave the house. If you can get her into your vehicle and drive her to dmv, they will come to the car and take photo and complete the paperwork. We did this. You do have to pick up the form and provide the necessary documentation like proof of residence, utility bills, car insurance, certified birth certificate, to prove she lives at the address on the identification. All has to be done by appointment with dmv. And before the old ID expires.

I can only speak to my own experience with my brother, who has dementia and is bedridden. He lives in CA, I live in MA. When his drivers license expired I called his local DMV and explained the situation and asked how to get a non-driving state ID for him.
The agent was super nice and helpful! They sent paperwork to me in MA, I filled it out and sent it back, and they used a photo they had on file from his old drivers license.
For those who wonder why state ID is needed; government-operated online accounts such as SSN are hyper vigilant about verifying ID and they require it.

Check with the Secretary of State office. You may be able to take care of the ID without her. I just checked into this (in Michigan) and all I have to do is take her drivers license in to be surrendered and I will receive in exchange an ID for her without additional paperwork and without her presence.

I would call your local DMV with this question. I hope the answer is as simple as it has been for some of your responders below.

If your mother is in Hospice now and bedridden I think this is no time for a move such as you suggest.

We moved here from NY to South Carolina. At the time my mother went into an AL facility. I wanted to obtain a handicap sticker for her when I drove her to appointments. I spoke to our local DMV. They told me to take a picture of her with my phone and bring that along with her expired license. This was a very helpful office with a nice manager.

That worked. In SC a handicap sticker has the picture of the person on it unlike NY. The person whose picture is on the sticker should be in the car in order to park in a handicap spot.

So I guess my biggest question is - in what situation would you need her to provide identification considering her condition, and what is her age? While my FIL does have a military ID - he no longer has any valid (non-expired) identification that shows his proper home address, age, etc on it. That was actually advice I received here because we ran into the issue you are describing. He was virtually bedridden and taking him to the DMV when his driver's license expired even to get the State ID (because he would have to go in person to change the type) was going to be next to impossible and online was not an option to change the type or renew this time). He is almost 90. He is in a nursing home now.

We were panicked over not having any kind of valid ID. But others advised that in most situations where ID would be needed, the expired license he had would be acceptable to most venues (and the military ID would also work as would any credit cards as secondary). And there was very little chance of him say flying or going somewhere that a legal valid current id would be necessary.

If you think she actually needs a valid ID I would suggest calling the Department of Motor Vehicles for your state and getting their input. It does not sound like she can go into a DMV. Though you should be able to make an appt for her if they require it.

But I just can't imagine that there are going to be any situations that she is going to require legal id in her condition unless you think she will have to fly in an emergency?

Hi - I believe there's a form to use that would be designated for a Non-Driver State ID for someone who is disabled - and her doctor can provide a note as well. Hopefully others on this site may know how to have this taken care of remotely/ at home rather than going into the DMV office - and if a photo and the form can be sent in instead. It should be acceptable.

Wishing you mush success with your move as well.