A little history:

The coalition formed in 2019 and was founded by staff of the ID and Birth Certificate (Outreach) Program at St. Francis Xavier College Church in St. Louis. As the need for ID assistance grew at the Outreach Program each week and year, it was clear there was a need to examine and combat the systemic barriers to identification that bring so many people to College Church’s doors each week. With that goal in mind, College Church convened an initial meeting with St. Louis area service providers and stakeholders, which grew into a regular monthly meeting to discuss identification challenges and think through strategies for addressing those issues. Since its founding the Coalition has created several working groups: a government accountability working group focused on working with the Department of Revenue and the Secretary of State’s office to seek ID access solutions, a monthly program support meeting to convene organizations across the state who want to offer ID assistance, a monthly meeting to address the specific needs of people leaving incarceration without their documents, and a group who meets to discuss the unique challenges to accessing identification faced by people who are homebound.

In July 2022, the coalition achieved a major win with the creation of the “Certification of Homeless Status and Residency” form, in partnership with the Department of Revenue. Prior to the availability  of this form, there was not a broadly available “Proof of Residency” option for people who are unhoused. This new option is a systematized way for a Missouri resident  without a stable address to apply for their ID and prove residency in the state of Missouri.

Later that year, the Ashrei Foundation eagerly joined College Church to support ID Access, both through creating a second direct program in St. Louis City and in co-facilitating the Coalition. In 2023, this partnership led to successful multi-year funding from Missouri Foundation for Health through the Opportunity Fund competitive grant. The grant is designed to positively impact the health of all Missourians through structural and relational changes to the systems that govern ID access by (1) expanding ID access programs statewide, (2) strengthening the existing statewide coalition, and (3) developing and leading evidence-informed and community-led advocacy efforts for programs, laws and policies to eliminate inequities in ID access.

Mission

Photo identification is essential to building the lives we envision for ourselves. Many Missourians face barriers to getting government issued photo IDs and cannot access basic resources, meet immediate needs and exercise fundamental rights. The Missouri State ID Access Coalition is committed to removing barriers, ensuring that all Missourians can access accurate state-issued photo identification in order to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

Missouri ID Access Summit

The Missouri State ID Access Coalition hosted the first (in the nation) annual MO ID Access Summit on September 7th, 2024 at the Deaconess Foundation in STL, bringing together advocates, neighbors, lawyers, service providers, students and more to explore the ID landscape in Missouri. Sessions delved into the basics of ID access and current disparities, advocacy skills, and prepare participants to take action moving forward to ensure all Missourians have the identification documents they need to thrive. Materials from 2024, including the summit program, session recordings, and materials made available by the speakers can be found at https://www.moidaccess.org/summit

membership

In 2025 the Coalition launched Membership is open to individuals, groups, or organizations who recognize the need for state-issued photo identification for all Missourians and are committed to removing systemic barriers. Membership is free and open to anyone who shares the Coalition’s values and is ready to help change the ID landscape in Missouri. You can read more about membership benefits, expectations, and registration at https://www.moidaccess.org/membership