Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 343 - Operators' licenses.
343.50 - Identification cards.

343.50 Identification cards.
(1) Issuance.
(a) Subject to par. (b) and s. 343.165, the department shall issue to every qualified applicant, who has paid all required fees, an identification card as provided in this section.
(b) The department may not issue an identification card to a person previously issued an operator's license in another jurisdiction unless the person surrenders to the department any valid operator's license possessed by the person issued by another jurisdiction, which surrender operates as a cancellation of the license insofar as the person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state is concerned. Within 30 days following issuance of the identification card under this section, the department shall destroy any operator's license surrendered under this paragraph and report to the jurisdiction that issued the surrendered operator's license that the license has been destroyed and the person has been issued an identification card in this state.
(c)
1. The department may issue a receipt to any applicant for an identification card, and shall issue a receipt to an applicant requesting an identification card under sub. (5) (a) 3., which receipt shall constitute a temporary identification card while the application is being processed and shall be valid for a period not to exceed 60 days. If the application for an identification card is processed under the exception specified in s. 343.165 (7) or (8), the receipt shall include the marking specified in sub. (3) (b).
2. If the department issues a receipt to an applicant petitioning the department under s. 343.165 (8), all of the following apply:
a. The department shall issue the receipt not later than the 6th working day after the person made the petition and shall deliver the receipt by 1st class mail, except that if a petition is filed or revived within 7 days before or 2 days after a statewide election the department shall issue a receipt not later than 24 hours after the petition is filed or revived and shall deliver the receipt by overnight or next-day mail. The department shall issue a new receipt to the person not later than 10 days before the expiration date of the prior receipt, and having a date of issuance that is the same as the expiration date of the prior receipt. The department shall issue no receipt to a person after the denial of a petition under s. 343.165 (8), unless the person revives an investigation. The department shall continue to reissue identification card receipts to a person unless the department cancels the identification card receipt upon the circumstances specified in sub. (10), upon the issuance of an operator's license or identification card to the person, upon the person's request, upon the denial of the application, upon return to the department of a receipt as nondeliverable, upon the person's failure to contact the department to discuss the petition for a period of 180 days or more, or whenever the department receives information that prohibits issuance of an identification card under sub. (1) (c). The department shall require the person to take a photograph prior to reissuing an identification card receipt if the photograph of the person on file with the department is 8 or more years old.
b. An identification card receipt issued under this subdivision shall constitute a temporary identification card while the application is being processed under s. 343.165 (8) and shall be valid for a period not to exceed the period specified in sub. (1) (c). The department shall clearly mark the receipt “FOR VOTING PURPOSES ONLY" as validated for use for voting as provided in ss. 5.02 (6m) (d) and 6.79 (2) (a). A receipt issued under this subsection shall contain the information specified under s. 343.17 (3), including the date of issuance, the expiration date, the name and signature of the person to whom it was issued, and, except as authorized in sub. (4g), a photograph of the individual to whom it was issued, and may contain such further information as the department deems necessary.
c. The department shall issue a replacement identification card receipt under subd. 2. a. upon request of the person to whom it is issued if the receipt is lost or destroyed.
d. Notwithstanding subd. 2. a., the department shall cancel or refuse to issue an identification card receipt under this subsection upon the circumstances specified in sub. (10), upon the issuance of an operator's license or identification card to the person, upon the person's request, upon the denial of the application, upon return to the department of a receipt as nondeliverable, or whenever the department receives information that prohibits issuance of an identification card under subd. 1.
e. Whenever any person, after receiving an identification card receipt under this subdivision, moves from the address named in the application or in the receipt issued to him or her or is notified by the local authorities or by the postal authorities that the address so named has been changed, the person shall, within 30 days, notify the department of his or her change of address. Upon receiving a notice of change of address, the department shall promptly issue a new receipt under subd. 2. a. showing the correct address and having the expiration date of the prior receipt.
(2) Who may apply. Any resident of this state who does not possess a valid operator's license issued under this chapter may apply to the department for an identification card pursuant to this section. The card is not a license for purposes of this chapter and is to be used for identification purposes only.
(3) Design and contents of card.
(a) The card shall be the same size as an operator's license but shall be of a design which is readily distinguishable from the design of an operator's license and bear upon it the words “IDENTIFICATION CARD ONLY." The information on the card shall be the same as specified under s. 343.17 (3). If the issuance of the card requires the applicant to present any documentary proof specified in s. 343.14 (2) (es) 4. to 7., the card shall display, on the front side of the card, a legend identifying the card as temporary. The card shall contain physical security features consistent with any requirement under federal law. The card may serve as a record of gift under s. 157.06 (2) (t) and the holder may affix a sticker thereto as provided in s. 343.175 (3). The card may also serve as a record of refusal under s. 157.06 (2) (u). Except as provided in sub. (4g), the card shall contain the holder's photograph and, if applicable, shall be of the design specified under s. 343.17 (3) (a) 12.
(b) If an identification card is issued based upon the exception specified in s. 343.165 (7) or (8), the card shall, in addition to any other required legend or design, be of the design specified under s. 343.17 (3) (a) 14. and include a marking similar or identical to the marking described in s. 343.03 (3r).
(c)
1. Notwithstanding par. (a), the department may issue an identification card bearing a name other than the name that appears on a supporting document if the person provides evidence acceptable to the department that the person has used the name in a manner that qualifies the name as being legally changed under the common law of Wisconsin, including evidence of the person's prior name, changed name, the length of time the person has consistently and continuously used the changed name, an affirmation that the person no longer uses the prior name, and an affirmation that the person did not change his or her name for a dishonest or fraudulent purpose or to the injury of any other person. The department shall mark an identification card issued under this subdivision in the manner described in s. 343.03 (3r).
2. Notwithstanding par. (a), the department shall approve a name change requested by a person who cannot provide supporting documentation of a lawful change of name but who does one of the following:
a. Provides proof of identity in the new name, and the department receives from the federal social security administration evidence or confirmation of the name change.
b. Applies for an identification card and provides an affidavit declaring all facts required under subd. 1. to prove a name change under the common law of Wisconsin.
(4) Application. The application for an identification card shall include any information required under ss. 85.103 (2) and 343.14 (2) (a), (b), (bm), (br), (em), (es), (gh), (j), and (k), and such further information as the department may reasonably require to enable it to determine whether the applicant is entitled by law to an identification card. Except with respect to renewals described in s. 343.165 (4) (d) or renewals by mail or electronic means as authorized under sub. (6), and except as provided in sub. (4g), the department shall, as part of the application process for original issuance or renewal of an identification card, take a digital photograph including facial image capture of the applicant to comply with sub. (3). Misrepresentations in violation of s. 343.14 (5) are punishable as provided in s. 343.14 (9).
(4g) Photograph requirement; exception. If the application for an identification card is processed under the exception specified in s. 343.165 (7), the application may be processed and the identification card issued or renewed without a photograph being taken of the applicant if the applicant provides to the department an affidavit stating that the applicant has a sincerely held religious belief against being photographed; identifying the religion to which he or she belongs or the tenets of which he or she adheres to; and stating that the tenets of the religion prohibit him or her from being photographed.
(4m) Organ donor information.
(a) As part of every application for an identification card, the department shall inquire whether the applicant desires to be an organ donor. The department shall record the organ donor response in its file of the person. If a procurement organization, as defined in s. 157.06 (2) (p), reasonably identifies a person and requests the information recorded in the person's file under this paragraph, the department shall promptly provide this information to the procurement organization.
(b) In addition to the inquiry under par. (a), if the applicant is at least 15 and one-half years of age, the department shall orally state to the applicant that he or she has the opportunity to indicate his or her willingness to be an organ donor. If the applicant indicates that he or she is undecided in response to the inquiry under par. (a), the department shall provide the applicant with written information that all organ procurement organizations and the department have together developed. If the applicant makes an affirmative response to the inquiry under par. (a), the department shall request at that time that the applicant write on the identification card the information that is required to make an anatomical gift under s. 157.06 (5) and affix a sticker thereto as provided in s. 343.175 (3).
(5) Valid period; fees.
(a)
1. Except as provided in subds. 2. and 3., the fee for an original card, for renewal of a card, and for the reinstatement of an identification card after cancellation under sub. (10) shall be $18.
2. The department may not charge a fee to an applicant for the initial issuance of an identification card if any of the following apply:
a. The department has canceled the applicant's valid operator's license after a special examination under s. 343.16 (5) and, at the time of cancellation, the expiration date for the canceled license was not less than 6 months after the date of cancellation.
b. The department has accepted the applicant's voluntary surrender of a valid operator's license under s. 343.265 (1) and, at the time the department accepted surrender, the expiration date for the surrendered license was not less than 6 months after the date that the department accepted surrender.
3. The department may not charge a fee to an applicant for the initial issuance, renewal, or reinstatement of an identification card if the applicant is a U.S. citizen who will be at least 18 years of age on the date of the next election and the applicant requests that the identification card be provided without charge for purposes of voting.
(b) Except as provided in pars. (c) and (d) and s. 343.165 (4) (c), an original or reinstated card shall be valid for the succeeding period of 8 years from the applicant's next birthday after the date of issuance, and a renewed card shall be valid for the succeeding period of 8 years from the card's last expiration date.
(c) Except as provided in s. 343.165 (4) (c) and as otherwise provided in this paragraph, an identification card that is issued to a person who is not a United States citizen and who provides documentary proof of legal status as provided under s. 343.14 (2) (es) shall expire on the date that the person's legal presence in the United States is no longer authorized or on the expiration date determined under par. (b), whichever date is earlier. If the documentary proof as provided under s. 343.14 (2) (es) does not state the date that the person's legal presence in the United States is no longer authorized, then the card shall be valid for the period specified in par. (b) except that, if the card was issued or renewed based upon the person's presenting of any documentary proof specified in s. 343.14 (2) (es) 4. to 7., the card shall, subject to s. 343.165 (4) (c), expire one year after the date of issuance or renewal.
(d) Except as provided in par. (c), an identification card that is issued to a person who is 65 years of age or older at the time of issuance may be non-expiring. A non-expiring card under this paragraph shall, in addition to any other required legend or design, be of the design specified under s. 343.17 (3) (a) 14. and include a marking similar or identical to the marking described in s. 343.03 (3r).
(5m) Card issuance fee. In addition to any other fee under this section, for the issuance of an original identification card or duplicate identification card or for the renewal or reinstatement of an identification card after cancellation under sub. (10), a card issuance fee of $10 shall be paid to the department. The fee under this subsection does not apply to an applicant if the department may not charge the applicant a fee under sub. (5) (a) 2. or 3. or (7).
(6) Renewal notice. At least 30 days prior to the expiration of an identification card, the department shall provide to the card holder notice of renewal of the card either by mail at the card holder's last-known address or, if desired by the card holder, by any electronic means offered by the department. If the card was issued or last renewed based upon the person's presenting of any documentary proof specified in s. 343.14 (2) (es) 4. to 7., the notice shall inform the card holder of the requirement under s. 343.165 (4) (c). The department shall include with the notice information, as developed by all organ procurement organizations in cooperation with the department, that promotes anatomical donations and which relates to the anatomical donation opportunity available under s. 343.175. The department may renew an identification card by mail or by any electronic means available to the department, but the department may not make consecutive renewals by mail or electronic means.
(7) Duplicate. The fee for a duplicate card is $6 except that, if the card holder satisfies the requirements for an applicant specified in sub. (5) (a) 3., there is no fee for a duplicate card.
(8) Records and other information.
(a) The department shall maintain current records of all identification card holders under this section in the same manner as required under s. 343.23 for operator's licenses. For each identification card applicant, the record shall include any application for an identification card received by the department, any reinstatement or cancellation of an identification card by the department, the information in all data fields printed on any identification card issued to the applicant, a record of the date on which any verification specified in s. 343.165 (1) and (3) was completed, and all documents required to be maintained under s. 343.165 (2) (a). The department shall maintain the digital images of documents specified in s. 343.165 (2) (a) for at least 10 years. Records under this paragraph shall be maintained in an electronic and transferable format accessible for the purpose specified in par. (c) 1.
(b) The department may not disclose any record or other information concerning or relating to an applicant or identification card holder to any person other than a court, district attorney, county corporation counsel, city, village, or town attorney, law enforcement agency, driver licensing agency of another jurisdiction, a procurement organization as provided in sub. (4m) (a), the applicant or identification card holder or, if the applicant or identification card holder is under 18 years of age, his or her parent or guardian. Except for photographs for which disclosure is authorized under s. 343.237, persons entitled to receive any record or other information under this paragraph shall not disclose the record or other information to other persons or agencies. This paragraph does not prohibit the disclosure of a person's name or address, of the name or address of a person's employer or of financial information that relates to a person when requested under s. 49.22 (2m) by the department of children and families or a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5).
(c)
1. Notwithstanding par. (b) and ss. 343.027, 343.14 (2j), and 343.237 (2), the department shall, upon request, provide to the driver licensing agencies of other jurisdictions any record maintained by the department of transportation under this subsection, including providing electronic access to any such record.
2. Notwithstanding par. (b) and s. 343.14 (2j), the department may, upon request, provide to the department of health services any applicant information maintained by the department of transportation and identified in s. 343.14 (2), including providing electronic access to the information, for the sole purpose of verification by the department of health services of birth record information.
3. Notwithstanding par. (b) and s. 343.14 (2j), the department may, upon request, provide to the elections commission for the sole purpose of allowing the chief election officer to comply with the terms of the agreement under s. 6.36 (1) (ae) any applicant information or identification card holder information maintained by the department of transportation and identified in s. 343.14 (2).
4. Notwithstanding par. (b) and s. 343.14 (2j), the department may, upon request, provide to the department of revenue any applicant information, including social security numbers, maintained by the department of transportation and identified in s. 343.14 (2), including providing electronic access to the information. Any information obtained by the department of revenue under this subdivision is subject to the confidentiality provisions of s. 71.78.
5. Nothing in par. (b) prohibits disclosure under this paragraph.
(10) Cancellation. The department shall cancel an identification card under any of the following circumstances:
(a) Whenever the department determines that the card was issued upon an application which contains a false statement as to any material matter.
(b) Whenever the department determines that an identification card has been altered and returned for cancellation under s. 343.43 (2).
(c) Whenever the department receives information from a local, state, or federal government agency that the card holder no longer satisfies the requirements for issuance of a card under ss. 343.14 (2) (es) and 343.165 (1) (e). A card cancelled under this paragraph may not be reinstated under sub. (5) until these requirements are again satisfied.
(11) Surrender of card upon cancellation. The department may order any person whose identification card has been canceled to surrender the card to the department. The department may take possession of any identification card required to be canceled or may direct any traffic officer to take possession thereof and return it to the department.
(12) Unlawful use. No person may:
(a) Represent as valid any canceled, fictitious or fraudulently altered identification card;
(b) Sell or lend his or her identification card to any other person or knowingly permit the use thereof by another;
(c) Represent as one's own, any identification card not issued to him or her;
(d) Permit any unlawful use of an identification card issued to him or her;
(e) Reproduce by any means whatever an identification card; or
(f) Deface or alter an identification card.
(13) Penalty. Any person who fails to comply with an order under sub. (11) or who violates sub. (12) may be required to forfeit not more than $1,000.
History: 1977 c. 360, 447; 1979 c. 226, 306; 1981 c. 20 s. 1848r; 1985 a. 29, 98; 1987 a. 27, 304; 1989 a. 105, 294, 298; 1991 a. 86, 269; 1995 a. 446; 1997 a. 27, 119, 191; 1999 a. 9, 32, 80, 85, 88, 186; 2001 a. 93; 2003 a. 33; 2005 a. 126; 2007 a. 20 ss. 3374 to 3390, 9121 (6) (a); 2007 a. 106; 2009 a. 28, 180; 2011 a. 23, 32, 75; 2013 a. 17, 20, 173; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 59, 244, 334, 369; 2021 a. 240 s. 30.
To require payments to government agencies for documents necessary to obtain Department of Transportation (DOT) photo identification cards for voting would severely burden the right to vote because it would condition that right on payment to a government agency. The exercise of discretion by DOT requires the issuance of photo identification cards for voting without requiring documents for which a fee continues to be charged by a government agency. Milwaukee Branch of the NAACP v. Walker, 2014 WI 98, 357 Wis. 2d 469, 851 N.W.2d 337, 12-1652.

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