ID R Kids program

ID R Kids

When a child is missing or abducted, time is of the essence. To improve the odds of a live recovery, getting that child’s photo and abductor information out to other police agencies and the public through the news media is critical. Likewise, when we or someone we are close with experiences a life threatening accident, illness or other medical emergency that lands them in the hospital, getting prompt notification to that person’s next of kin can save a life or simply allow some precious time with a loved one before they expire. To help improve how we protect our children; and, notify next of kin when a person is hospitalized with a critical medical emergency, the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) has taken the lead through its BMV to make this happen. Ohio’s ID R Kids initiative is a recent statewide effort to encourage all Ohio parents and guardians to bring their minor children in to their local Ohio Deputy Registrar to secure a state ID for them. The process is simple: bring the child with birth certificate and social security card to any one of Ohio’s 214 Deputy Registrar License agencies. A state ID is the only ID that puts the child’s photo, name, address, date of birth and next of kin contact information in the BMV database so only police may immediately access this life saving information if the child is missing; abducted or injured. Parents or guardians can be quickly contacted and if necessary, the child’s photo sent to police and news media outlets statewide or nationwide if an Amber Alert is warranted. The cost is $8.50.