Apple has tight control over states’ digital ID cards. Governments must devote resources and even marketing to iPhone IDs.

States using Apple’s system are required to run the platforms for issuing and checking credentials and to hire managers to handle Apple’s requests and meet the iPhone maker’s performance reporting expectations. States also have to “prominently” market the feature and encourage other government agencies (both state and federal) to adopt the technology.

For some of the earliest adopters of the program – Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky and Oklahoma, the contracts are nearly identical. Other states, including Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland and Utah, may have to honor similar terms.

A representative for Arizona’s Transportation Department told CNBC there were no payments to Apple or other “economic considerations,” though the states would have to cover the costs. Apple declined to comment.