In addition to being useful to immigrants, municipal IDs can be helpful for people without a fixed address or anyone s who does not have a driver’s license or other official ID. Municipal IDs can be used to pick up children at school, be seen at area hospitals and urgent care centers, enter government (and some private) buildings, get a library card, report a crime or seek police assistance, cash a check, and go to food pantries and other services. Fees (usually around $10) associated with getting an ID may sometimes be waived.
The following Hudson Valley communities have municipal ID programs: Poughkeepsie, Middletown (Spanish, English), Newburgh (Spanish, English), Kingston (Spanish, English), and Beacon (Spanish, English).
Woodstock also has a municipal ID. To get one, go to the town clerk’s office, 45 Comeau Drive, 8 a.m to to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Bring a valid photo ID from your home country or the U.S. and two items with name and address. The latter might be a utility bill, check, etc.
