Get your documents back

1. Walk in to the Resource Center at Bud Clark Commons, 650 NW Irving St, Portland (across from Union Station). No appointment needed.
2. Ask the Front Desk for the 'Declaration of Homelessness' — that is the paper you need for a FREE Oregon ID card at the DMV.
3. Note: they do NOT replace driver's licenses or birth certificates themselves — for a free birth certificate, ask 211 for a participating provider (see birth certificate steps).
4. While you're there you can also use showers, laundry, lockers, clothing, mail service, and get shelter referrals.
5. Open every day, including holidays: Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat-Sun 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Cost:

Free

Where:

Bud Clark Commons, 650 NW Irving St, Portland, OR 97209

Call:

503-280-4700 (Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.)

official source · details can change — when in doubt, call first

1. If you are homeless, you can get one Oregon birth certificate for FREE. Go to a homeless service provider that takes part in the state's free birth certificate program.
2. The provider helps you fill out the order form, pays the fee for you, and gives you a mailing address for delivery.
3. If you pay yourself: order by mail or drop box for $25, or book an in-person appointment at the Portland State Office Building, 800 NE Oregon St (total $28 with the $3 ID-check fee).
4. Call the orders hotline at 888-896-4988 or order online at VitalChek.com (online costs $47.50 total because of vendor fees).
5. Born in another state? Ask the service provider — the free program can help with out-of-state certificates too.

Cost:

$25 by mail/drop box; $28 in person; $47.50 online via VitalChek; FREE through the homeless fee-exempt program (one certificate per person)

Where:

Oregon Vital Records (Center for Health Statistics), Portland State Office Building, 800 NE Oregon St, Portland (in-person by appointment); or any participating homeless service provider

Call:

971-673-1190 (general) · 888-896-4988 (orders hotline)

official source · details can change — when in doubt, call first

1. Go to a nonprofit or state agency (for example, Transition Projects' Resource Center at Bud Clark Commons) and ask them to fill out the DMV 'Determination of Homelessness' form (DMV form 735-7183). This makes your ID card FREE.
2. Take the signed form to a DMV office within 60 days, with your DMV ID application.
3. Bring proof of who you are. The DMV accepts a U.S. birth certificate, a U.S. passport, a tribal ID, a military ID, or an old Oregon license/ID (expired up to 13 years is OK).
4. No address? A letter from a homeless shelter or transitional service provider, dated within 60 days, counts as proof of address.
5. If you have NO documents at all, start with the free birth certificate (see birth certificate steps), then come back to the DMV.

Cost:

Normally $47 for an original ID card, $40 for a replacement, $43 for a renewal (standard, non-REAL ID). FREE with the homelessness form. REAL ID adds $30 — the waiver does NOT cover the REAL ID extra fee.

Where:

Any Oregon DMV office. Get the homelessness form signed first at a provider like Transition Projects, 650 NW Irving St, Portland

Call:

503-945-5000 (DMV)

official source · details can change — when in doubt, call first

1. A replacement Social Security card is always FREE. Never pay anyone for one.
2. If you have a state ID and a mailing address, start online: go to ssa.gov/myaccount, sign in or create an account, and click 'Replace your Social Security Card.' The card comes by mail in 5-10 business days.
3. No ID or no online access? Start the application online anyway and schedule an appointment to finish at the Portland office, or call 1-800-772-1213.
4. For mail delivery, you can use a day-center mail address (see mail service below).
5. Tip: for most benefits you only need to KNOW your number — the paper card is often not required.

Cost:

Free

Where:

Portland SSA office: 1538 SW Yamhill St, Portland, OR 97205 (2 blocks from Providence Park MAX stop). SSA asks customers to make an appointment before visiting.

Call:

1-800-772-1213 (national) · office line 1-888-632-6990

official source · details can change — when in doubt, call first

1. Use Transition Projects' Resource Center as your mailing address: have mail sent to YOUR NAME, 650 NW Irving St, Portland, OR 97209.
2. First, visit the Front Desk to sign up — you need a (free) Transition Projects ID card to pick up your mail.
3. Pick up mail Mon-Fri 8:30-10:00 a.m. or 12:45-3:30 p.m., and Saturday 1:00-3:00 p.m. No mail pickup on Sunday.
4. Use this address for your Social Security card, birth certificate, benefit letters, and EBT card.

Cost:

Free

Where:

Transition Projects Resource Center, Bud Clark Commons, 650 NW Irving St, Portland, OR 97209

Call:

503-280-4700

official source · details can change — when in doubt, call first

1. Dial 211 from any phone in Oregon (works in Multnomah County). If your phone can't dial 211 (some internet/Wi-Fi phones), call 866-698-6155 instead.
2. Phone hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Language interpreters are available. TTY: dial 711 then call 866-698-6155.
3. You can also text your ZIP code to 898211 (Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) or email help@211info.org.
4. Ask for shelter, food, ID help, health care, or anything else — they keep the live list of local services.

Cost:

Free

Where:

Phone/text/online — covers Oregon including Multnomah County

Call:

211 or 866-698-6155 · text ZIP to 898211

official source · details can change — when in doubt, call first