Which state to choose?

Depends where you're at honestly. I went with a nearby state instead of my home state and it's been fine. Before you even pick, though, read the sticky on taking ID photo at home — lighting setup shadows are what mess people up the most. Took me two tries to get a clean shot.

Yeah, I've gone the out-of-state route more than once and never had any issues either. It's actually pretty common once you get past that beginner "what state is easiest to fake" mindset. A lot of people jump straight to picking whatever's closest or most popular, but honestly there's more to it than that if you want something that holds up in use.

So here's how I approach picking a state. First, don't pick your own state – if a bouncer or cop sees your ID and you "happen" to live there, a quick follow-up question about a local landmark can trip you up. Way safer to claim you're from somewhere else. Next, look at the template's availability – some states have really clean, well-documented templates that get updated often. You want a state where the colors, fonts, and microprint are known to be correct for the current year. Something with a simple background (no crazy guilloche patterns) is generally easier to reproduce well. Also check the state's real ID security features – states with fewer complex overlays, less UV, and basic laser engraving tend to come out better. Harder to get a state with multiple kinegrams or split-image static layers right unless you're paying top dollar. Another thing to think about is the "bystander effect" – if you're in a region that sees a lot of out-of-state visitors (college towns, tourist spots, big cities), nobody blinks at an ID from 2000 miles away. Picking a state that's plausible for your region matters — a Florida ID in Vermont in February is suspicious, a California ID in Nevada is fine. And finally, verify OPSEC – never use your real name or address on an out-of-state ID. Even if you never get carded by law enforcement, you don't want a paper trail connecting the fake to your actual life.

You'll see some key terms around here. In-state / out-of-state is just whether the ID matches where you live or not – out-of-state is almost always recommended for novices. Template quality is how accurately the digital file reproduces the real state's design; bad templates have wrong spacing, wrong fonts, or missing elements. Holos / kinegrams are the shiny moving images on modern IDs – overcomplicated holos are a common failure point, so stick to states with simpler ones like a single-state outline or basic symbol. And UV is invisible ink patterns that glow under blacklight – some states have dense UV, others have minimal. For a first ID, less UV is safer.

Before you commit to a state, run through a quick safety checklist. Make sure the state doesn't have active, widely-known enforcement crackdowns (like some states are known for aggressive scanner checks at bars). You should have seen good reviews of that state's template from multiple sources — not just one person's success story. Also check that the state uses a standard horizontal layout – vertical IDs are harder to read quickly and get more scrutiny. And be confident you can answer "what's your area code?" or "what's the capital of that state?" if asked casually. Know the basics.

Common mistakes that trip people up? Picking a state just because it looks cool or has a nice flag – that's not how security works. Choosing a state with front-and-back holos that require perfect alignment – slight offset gives it away instantly. Using a state with high UV coverage and then trying to pass a bar with blacklight checks – most clubs don't check, but some do. Forgetting that the state's driver's license number format needs to be correct – some states have simple numeric sequences, others mix letters and checksums, and getting that wrong is a dead giveaway.

Anyway, out-of-state works fine as long as you do your homework. I've had my current one for almost a year and a half, used it in multiple states, and never got a second look. Just don't get lazy with the details and you'll be fine.

OH or NY would work well for you. Common in PA area

Getting your home state can draw extra scrutiny. Maybe try a nearby state