Your right to vote should never depend on your ability to pay. Free resources are available to help you obtain all necessary documentation at no cost.
Birth certificates, IDs, and other voting documents can cost $50-$200 or more. For many women—especially those with limited income, experiencing homelessness, escaping domestic violence, or facing other challenges—these costs create a real barrier to voting.
The good news: Organizations exist specifically to eliminate these financial barriers. You can get all the documents you need completely free, with personalized help every step of the way.
VoteRiders covers ALL costs associated with obtaining voter ID
📞 Call 866-ID-2-VOTEAvailable in all 50 states • 100% free • Nonpartisan
VoteRiders is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive, free assistance to help voters obtain the ID and documents they need. They don't just give advice—they actually cover all the costs and do the work with you.
✨ How It Works:
1️⃣ You contact VoteRiders (call, text, chatbot, or online form)
2️⃣ A trained volunteer assesses what documents you need for your specific state
3️⃣ They guide you through the entire process and pay for everything
4️⃣ You get your ID and documents—ready to vote!
Available year-round in all 50 states. No income requirements. No applications to fill out. Just free help.
In addition to VoteRiders, several state programs and organizations offer free birth certificates for specific groups:
Many states offer free birth certificates for people experiencing homelessness, including:
How it works: You fill out a simple affidavit with verification from a homeless services provider (shelter, case worker, etc.) and submit it to your state's vital records office.
Organizations that help:
Many states offer free birth certificates for veterans, including:
Contact:
Washington State and some other states offer free birth certificates for children receiving SNAP/food benefits who are enrolling in school.
Check with: Your state's Department of Health or vital records office to see if your state offers this program.
Many local organizations help cover birth certificate costs:
Many of these organizations partner directly with VoteRiders.
⚠️ Critical to know: The U.S. State Department does NOT offer fee waivers for passport applications based on income. This is a significant limitation that affects many women.
Much cheaper than a passport book and works for:
Some universities offer passport grants or scholarships, including:
Check with your financial aid office!
💡 Smart Strategy: A passport is comprehensive but expensive. VoteRiders can help you determine the most cost-effective path for your specific state's voting requirements. You may not need a passport at all—a free state ID or birth certificate might be sufficient.
| Document | Typical Cost | Free Options? |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $15-$50 | ✅ YES - VoteRiders, homeless programs, veteran programs |
| Social Security Card | FREE | ✅ FREE - Always free from SSA |
| State ID | $10-$40 | ✅ YES - VoteRiders covers this |
| Passport Book | $165 | ❌ NO - No fee waivers (use passport card or state ID instead) |
| Passport Card | $65 | ❌ NO - No fee waivers (but cheaper than book) |
| Name Change Documents | Varies | ✅ YES - VoteRiders covers this |
Don't let cost prevent you from exercising your right to vote.
Call VoteRiders now for free, personalized help with all documentation costs:
📞 866-ID-2-VOTE (866-438-2868)Or visit VoteRiders.org/freehelp to submit an online request.
Trained volunteers are standing by to help you. All services are completely free, with no income requirements or complicated applications.