Best states for novelty IDs in 2025 - Complete ranking

After extensive research and personal testing of various novelty identification cards, I'm ranking the best states to get for maximum success in 2025.

⚠️ Reminder: These are novelty cards for entertainment purposes. This ranking is based on design quality, vendor availability, and general acceptance as collectible items.

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🏆 Tier 1: Elite Novelty IDs (Best Overall)

1. Ohio - The Perfect Balance

Why it's #1:

Factor Rating Notes Vendor Quality 10/10 All major novelty vendors have perfected Ohio Complexity 8/10 Not too simple, not too complex Nationwide Use 9/10 Common enough everywhere in the US Price 9/10 $130-180 - good value Success Rate 9.5/10 Extremely high acceptance as novelty prop

Key Features of Ohio Novelty Cards:

• ✅ Clean, professional design
• ✅ Straightforward UV elements
• ✅ Reliable hologram replication
• ✅ Easy to memorize info (simple format)
• ✅ Not overly scrutinized by collectors

Best Vendors for Ohio Novelty IDs:

1. OldIronsidesFakes - 9.5/10
2. LostIdentification - 9/10
3. IDGod - 8/10

2. Pennsylvania - The Reliable Choice

Strengths:

• ✓ Very common state for novelty card production
• ✓ Moderate complexity - high quality without being excessive
• ✓ Keystone logo is iconic and well-replicated
• ✓ Accepted nationwide as collectible
• ✓ Multiple vendors produce excellent PA novelty cards

Rating: 9.5/10

PA novelty cards are a close second to Ohio. Excellent choice for East Coast collectors.

3. New Jersey - The Underdog

Why NJ is underrated:

• ✓ Simple design = harder to mess up
• ✓ Less commonly faked = less scrutiny from enthusiasts
• ✓ Budget-friendly novelty option ($120-160)
• ✓ High success rate due to simplicity
• ✓ Great for first-time novelty card buyers

Rating: 9/10

The "sleeper pick" of novelty IDs. Don't overlook New Jersey!

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⭐ Tier 2: Excellent Novelty IDs (Great Choices)

State Rating Best For Notes Michigan 8.5/10 Midwest collectors Great features, good vendor quality Maryland 8.5/10 East Coast use Complex but well-replicated Connecticut 8/10 New England area IDGod's specialty state Illinois 8/10 Midwest/Central US Good quality from top vendors Virginia 8/10 South/East Coast Reliable novelty option

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⚠️ Tier 3: Challenging Novelty IDs (Risky Choices)

States to avoid unless you have specific reasons:

California - Rating: 7/10

• ⚠️ Extremely complex - requires premium vendors
• ⚠️ Over-scrutinized by collectors and enthusiasts
• ⚠️ Expensive ($180-220)
• ⚠️ High-risk for in-state collecting
• ✓ Only get from OISF if you must have CA

Texas - Rating: 7.5/10

• ⚠️ Perforations must be perfect (often aren't)
• ⚠️ Expensive ($150-200)
• ⚠️ Moderate scrutiny
• ✓ Good quality from OISF and Evolved
• ✓ Works nationwide

New York - Rating: 7/10

• ⚠️ Complex design with many security features
• ⚠️ Heavily scrutinized (very common novelty state)
• ⚠️ Quality varies widely by vendor
• ⚠️ Not recommended for beginners

Florida - Rating: 6.5/10

• ❌ 2025 template changes - many vendors haven't updated
• ❌ Old templates are now obsolete
• ❌ High scrutiny in-state
• ⚠️ Only order if vendor confirms 2025 template

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❌ Tier 4: Avoid These Novelty IDs

States to completely avoid:

State Why to Avoid Hawaii Rare state = suspicious anywhere. Limited vendor options. Poor quality. Alaska Same issues as Hawaii. Very uncommon, raises questions. South Carolina Extremely complex security features. Few vendors do it well. Rhode Island Small state, uncommon outside New England. Limited uses. North Dakota Rarely seen anywhere. Immediately suspicious as novelty item.

Rule of thumb: If people would ask "Why do you have THAT state?" when you show your novelty card, don't get that state.

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🎯 Choosing the Right State for YOU

Decision Matrix:

Choose OHIO if:

• ✓ You want the safest, most reliable choice
• ✓ You're anywhere in the US (works everywhere)
• ✓ You want maximum vendor options
• ✓ This is your first novelty card purchase

Choose PENNSYLVANIA if:

• ✓ You're on the East Coast
• ✓ You want slightly more complex design
• ✓ You want a "prestigious" looking novelty

Choose NEW JERSEY if:

• ✓ You want to save money ($120-140 range)
• ✓ You prefer simplicity over complexity
• ✓ You're in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic

Choose MICHIGAN if:

• ✓ You're in the Midwest
• ✓ You want a less common novelty option
• ✓ You want good quality without CA/TX premium prices

Only choose CA/TX/NY if:

• ✓ You have a specific reason (story/backstory)
• ✓ You're willing to pay premium prices
• ✓ You're ordering from OISF (top quality)
• ✓ You understand the higher scrutiny risk

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💡 Pro Tips for State Selection

1. Geographic Plausibility

Have a simple reason ready:

• "I'm from [state], moved here for school/work"
• "Family is from there, haven't changed it yet"
• "Born there, lived here most of my life though"

2. Avoid In-State Use

NEVER use a novelty card in the state it represents. People from that state know what their real IDs look like intimately.

3. Check Vendor Specialties

Some vendors are known for specific states:

• OISF: Best for CA, TX, OH, PA
• IDGod: Best for CT, AR, MS
• LostID: Best for NJ, PA, MD

4. Consider Your Age Story

If your novelty card makes you 23, don't pick a state you "moved from" at age 18. The timeline should make sense.

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📊 Final Rankings Summary

Rank State Rating Best Vendor Price Range 1 Ohio 9.5/10 OISF $130-180 2 Pennsylvania 9.5/10 OISF $140-190 3 New Jersey 9/10 LostID $120-160 4 Michigan 8.5/10 OISF $130-180 5 Maryland 8.5/10 LostID $140-180

Bottom Line: Ohio and Pennsylvania are the gold standard for novelty identification cards in 2025. 🏆

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What state novelty card do you have? Share your experiences below! 👇