Housing instability should not prevent students from obtaining the documents they need. That is the message behind a New Mexico policy that expands access to youth experiencing homelessness. The state is providing these young individuals free access to state IDs and birth certificates. This policy aims to equip them with essential documents for long-term stability.
The initiative recognizes that obtaining these vital documents often becomes the first hurdle for students and youth experiencing homelessness. Without them, many struggle to enroll in school, secure housing, or access job training programs. By removing financial and bureaucratic barriers, the law aims to help unaccompanied young people build a foundation for their future.
The state policy implements key measures to streamline access to essential documents for vulnerable youth, including:
- Fee Exemptions: The initiative exempts youth experiencing homelessness from all fees for obtaining a state ID and birth certificate.
- Staff Authorization: Local educational liaisons, counselors, nurses, and social workers can request birth certificates directly for homeless youth.
- Youth Autonomy: Unaccompanied youth can request their own birth certificates without an adult’s signature.
Advocates call the policy a critical step in supporting young people who lack the support systems to navigate government agencies.
Who Is Eligible for Fee Exemptions?
New Mexico defines a “homeless individual” as a person who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including anyone who:
- lives in the housing of another person due to that individual’s loss of housing, economic hardship, or other reason related to that individual’s lack of a fixed residence;
- lives in a motel, hotel, trailer park, or camping ground due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
- lives in an emergency or transitional shelter;
- sleeps in a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; or
- lives in an automobile, a park, a public space, an abandoned building, substandard housing, a bus station, a train station or a similar setting.
How Can a Youth Obtain a Free State ID?
- Complete an Attestation of Homelessness Status Form. A Spanish version is also available.
The form can be filled out by a youth or a:
- Local educational agency homeless liaison;
- School counselor, school nurse, or social worker;
- Public or private governmental or nonprofit agency that provides services to homeless individuals.
- Collect the required identification documents. These are the documents required both for a REAL ID and Standard ID card.
- Bring the completed attestation form and required documents to a Motor Vehicles Division (MVD) Field Office.
How to Get a Free Birth Certificate?
- Fill out a Homeless Self Attestation Form. A Spanish version is also available.
The form can be filled out by a youth or a:
- Local educational agency homeless liaison;
- School counselor, school nurse, or social worker;
- Public or private governmental or nonprofit agency that provides services to homeless individuals.
- Complete a Birth Record Application Form. A Spanish version is also available.
- Apply in person at the local public health office. Bring the forms and required identification documents for the requester. Applications can also be made via mail. Enclose the forms and a copy of valid identification for the requester. Mail them to New Mexico Vital Records, Post Office Box 26110, Santa Fe, NM 87502.
Visit the Department of Health website for more information on applying for a birth certificate.