Additional information on ACT test registration requirements

What identification will I have to show at the test center?

When you arrive at the test center, you'll be required to show acceptable identification before being admitted to the test, in addition to bringing a printed copy of your admission ticket. The ID you present, including any required signatures, must be original, not a photocopy or reproduction. Only the following forms of identification are acceptable. If it's not on this list, it's not acceptable, and you will not be admitted to the test.

Remember, you will also need to carry your ACT ID for the examination. The ACT ID is an eight-digit identification number beginning with a dash. If you’re confused about how to find your ACT ID, don’t hesitate to call ACT test support for assistance. It’s usually located at the bottom and top of the student report on the admission ticket.

Here are a few acceptable forms of identification:

• Current (valid) official photo ID: It must be issued by your school or city/state/federal government (such as a driver's license or passport) on which both your name and photo appear. The names on your photo ID must match the names you provided when you registered for the ACT.

• Your first and last names must match the names you used when you registered for the ACT.
• Your date of birth.
• Your gender.
• The name of your high school and its location (e.g., city, state).
• Your recent, recognizable, individual head-and-shoulders photo is attached to the letter with a raised or inked school seal or school official's signature in ink overlapping a portion of the photo. Note: Physical description in lieu of a photo will not be accepted.
• You must sign the letter in ink in the presence of the school official.
• Download a template you can provide to a school official if you need a school ID letter.

• Download a template you can provide to a notary if you need a notarized statement.
• If you present an acceptable school letter or a notarized statement, you must sign it again in the presence of test center staff on test day. They will send it to us to keep in our files.

Unacceptable Identification

You will not be admitted if you present any forms of ID other than those listed as acceptable.

The following are examples of unacceptable identification:

• ACT ticket alone
• Birth certificate
• Charge, bank, check cashing, or credit cards with or without photo
• ChildFind ID card
• Fishing or hunting license
• Graduation picture or family portrait
• High school transcript with or without photo
• ID issued by an employer
• Learner's driving permit or temporary/replacement driver's license, if it doesn't include a photo
• Letter of identification without a photo (physical description in lieu of photo is not acceptable)
• Organization membership card
• Passport or other photo ID so old that the person presenting it cannot be identified
• Phone calls to the test center to identify the examinee
• Photo ID issued by a business for promotional purposes (e.g., amusement parks)
• Photo ID of parents or guardians
• Photo with student's name embossed or printed on the photo by a photographer
• Police report of a stolen purse or wallet
• Published individual photo
• Report card or diploma
• Social Security card
• Traffic ticket, even with a physical description and signature
• Web page with photo

What Happens if You Lose Your Admission Ticket?

We've already explained how to find your ACT ID. Once you register for the test, it’s printed on your admission ticket.

However, if you lose your ticket, there’s no reason to worry. Just log in to your ACT account and reprint the document. That's it! This is probably one of the easiest ways to find the ACT ID.

In case you’ve already registered for the ACT and can’t find your ACT ID number, reach out to the ACT for help without delay.

Now that you know where to find your ACT ID and what additional identification you need to carry to the test center, you’re good to go! Remember to be calm and take one step at a time. This way, you won’t miss out on important things. Also, don’t forget to browse these ACT study tips to prepare for the exam!

Judi Robinovitz is a Certified Educational Planner with more than 30 years of experience in education. Specializing in educational counseling, she is the author of numerous books, articles, and software on test preparation and college planning. Judi has been a featured speaker at national educational conferences and schools. To keep pace with current educational trends, Judi continually travels across America to assess colleges, boarding schools, and therapeutic boarding schools and wilderness programs.