Which state ID should I get first?

Avoid home state is the most important rule here. Locals are your toughest critics.

Ohio is a consistently good first ID recommendation. Clean design, widely accepted, easy to know details about.

State Reviews section has detailed current quality reports. Use it before deciding.

Hey, welcome to the community! Great question — picking your first state ID is honestly one of the most important decisions you'll make. It can pretty much make or break your experience right out of the gate. The original post is spot on about the know-your-state rule, but I want to flesh that out with some concrete steps because I've seen way too many people trip up on this.

First off, forget about which state has the "best" template or which one is easiest to copy. That's secondary. What really matters is your ability to convincingly be from that state. Here's my step-by-step approach to choosing a first state — it's not that complicated once you break it down.

Step 1: Pick a state you have a real connection to. Ideally somewhere you've visited multiple times, have family in, or at least know well from road trips or work. The more personal history you can draw on, the easier it is to answer follow-up questions naturally. Seriously, if you've never stepped foot in Nebraska, don't pick Nebraska.

Step 2: Learn the absolute basics. At minimum memorize the state capital, the largest city, major highways, nearby states, a couple of well-known landmarks or sports teams, and the local accent or slang quirks. For example, if you choose Texas, know that Dallas and Houston are very different, and don't call it "Tex-ass" in front of someone from there — that's just asking for trouble.

Step 3: Build a simple backstory. Why do you currently have an ID from this state? Common ones: "I grew up there but moved for school/work," "I went to college there," "My family is from there and I visit often." Keep it consistent with your appearance and any other IDs you might carry. If you're 19 and look 16, saying you're a college senior from that state might raise eyebrows — adjust accordingly.

Step 4: Practice the "where you from" drill. Have a friend ask you the question out of the blue. Your answer should be immediate and casual. "Oh, I'm from [state], moved here a couple years ago for [reason]." No hesitation, no over-explaining. If they ask for a city, have that ready too. The more you practice, the less your voice will sound rehearsed — trust me, it makes a difference.

Key terms to know: "Know-your-state rule" — you must be intimately familiar with the state on your ID. "Backstory" — the plausible narrative explaining why you hold that state's ID. "ID geography" — understanding that bars, clubs, and even casual encounters often involve chit-chat about where you're from. "Flavor test" — some people will test your knowledge of local things like the name of the major airport or the nearest big city.

Safety checklist before ordering: Have you visited the state more than once? Do you know the capital and at least two other major cities? Can you name a local sports team or well-known landmark? Is your backstory simple and easy to remember? Is there any conflict with your current address or other IDs (like a school ID from a different state)? And have you practiced the "where you from" question at least 10 times? Check all those boxes and you're in good shape.

Common mistake warnings: Don't pick a state just because you think it's "common" or "easy" to fake. That's exactly what gets you caught — everyone knows what the real people from that state sound like. Also, don't pick a state you can't locate on a map. I've seen people claim to be from Connecticut and not know it's in New England — instant red flag. Another big one: don't pick a state with a very distinct accent if you don't have that accent. A 20-year-old who sounds like they're from California but claims an Alabama ID? Not going to fly. Finally, avoid states that are heavily overrepresented in the fake ID world — they get scrutinized harder.

Bottom line: the state you choose is the character you're playing. Know your lines, know your scenery, and never break character. Done right, no one will ever think to question it.