Approximately 8,200 Michigan driver's licenses and state ID cards printed on August 26 by vendor Idemia were misprinted with the same stock photo and an incorrect birthdate. The Michigan Department of State says the erroneous information is generic and not another resident's data. Corrected cards have already been issued, and affected residents can use a printed temporary ID or visit a branch while awaiting their replacement.
Thousands of Michigan IDs Printed With Same Stranger's Photo — State Says Corrected Cards Issued
Image via CBS Detroit
About 8,200 Michigan driver's licenses and state ID cards were misprinted with the same stranger's photo and an incorrect birthdate, state officials confirmed. The cards in question were printed on August 26 by Idemia, the vendor that handles Michigan's ID production.
What Happened
Recipients discovered that the lower-right portion of their cards displayed a photo of a Black man and a false birthdate (reported as January 12, 1967). Social media posts and images circulating online revealed the same image and fake details on many cards, prompting confusion and concern among residents.
Official Response
The Michigan Department of State said the misprint renders the affected IDs invalid. Officials emphasized that the incorrect information is generic and is not another Michigan resident's personal data; the photograph appears to be a stock image rather than a photo copied from a customer record. The Department also said corrected cards have already been issued to everyone who received the misprinted IDs, and affected customers do not need to file a replacement request.
Voices From Residents
"I kept looking, and I was like, 'That's a man in the bottom corner,'" Michigan resident Lanita Nelson told CBS Detroit. She said she noticed the wrong birthdate next to the photo and worried about how the card would be treated by police if she were stopped while driving.
What Affected Residents Should Do
While replacements have reportedly been sent, the Department of State advises residents who received a misprinted card to:
- Check whether they have received the corrected card in the mail.
- Print a temporary license or ID online if they need documentation immediately.
- Visit a Secretary of State branch for assistance if they have questions or urgent concerns.
Images and social posts about the incident circulated widely as recipients compared notes. The state and vendor have acknowledged the issue, and residents should now be receiving corrected cards; anyone still unsure should contact the Department of State for confirmation.
Featured image: CBS Detroit
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