Bring these documents to get a Real ID-compliant driver's license or ID card

The DMV requires you to bring proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, proof of residency, and proof of citizenship or lawful presence — four separate categories. You cannot use the same document twice. The exact documents accepted vary slightly by state, but the federal REAL ID Act sets the baseline, and your state DMV website lists what it will accept in each category. Bring originals or certified copies, not photocopies, and bring more than the minimum if you have them — a second document in any category strengthens your process if the first one is unclear or damaged.

The DMV will scan or photocopy your documents as part of the Real ID process and return the originals to you. Bring photocopies of everything as well — if the DMV's scanner jams or a document is unclear, having a backup copy on hand saves you a trip home. Some DMV offices will make copies for you on-site for a small fee, but not all do, so bringing your own is safer.

Key Takeaways

  • You need documents from four separate categories: identity, Social Security number, residency, and citizenship or lawful presence — one document cannot count twice.
  • Originals and certified copies are accepted; photocopies you made yourself are not, and the DMV will turn you away if you bring only copies.
  • Your state DMV website lists the specific documents it accepts, because some states accept documents others do not.
  • Bring your Social Security card itself or a document showing your number, because the DMV will not call Social Security to verify it for you.
  • Proof of residency must show your current address and be dated within the last 60 days in most states, so utility bills and lease agreements work but old documents do not.

Proof of identity: what the DMV will accept

A valid passport, passport card, or enhanced driver's license from another state counts as proof of identity. So does a certified birth certificate, a state ID card, a military ID, a tribal ID, or a permanent resident card (green card). Some states also accept a foreign passport if it is still valid. The document must show your full legal name and either your date of birth or a photo that the DMV staff can match to your face.

If you do not have any of these, some states accept a combination of documents — for example, a school ID plus a medical record with your name and date of birth. Check your state DMV's website for the full list, because what counts as acceptable identity varies. Bring the original document, not a photocopy. If your birth certificate is a photocopy, it must be certified by the vital records office that issued it, not just a copy you made yourself.

Proof of Social Security number: your card or an alternative

The easiest route is your Social Security card itself. If you have lost it or never received one, you can bring a W-2 form, a 1099 form, a tax return, a pay stub, or a Social Security Administration letter showing your number. A bank statement or insurance document with your full Social Security number also works in most states. The DMV does not call Social Security to verify your number — you must provide a document that shows it.

If you are a non-citizen, you may have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number. Some states accept an ITIN letter from the IRS in place of Social Security proof. Check your state's rules before you go, because this varies. Bring the original document or a certified copy.

Proof of residency: documents dated within 60 days

A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax bill showing your current address works as proof of residency. So does a bank or credit card statement, an insurance policy, a government check, or a letter from a government agency addressed to you at your current address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days in most states — an old utility bill will not work. If you have recently moved, bring a document dated after your move-in date.

If you live with someone else and are not on the lease or utility bill, some states accept a notarized letter from the person whose name is on the bill, stating that you live there. Other states do not. A few states accept an affidavit of residency signed in front of a notary public. Call your state DMV or check its website to see what it accepts if you cannot produce a document in your own name. Bring the original document — photocopies are not accepted.

Proof of citizenship or lawful presence: birth certificate, passport, or immigration documents

A U.S. birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport, a passport card, or a Certificate of Naturalization proves citizenship. If you are a permanent resident (green card holder), bring your green card. If you have a visa, bring your passport showing the visa and your I-94 arrival/departure record, which you can print from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website. If you have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), bring that along with your passport.

The birth certificate must be an original or certified copy from the vital records office — a photocopy you made yourself will not work. If your birth certificate is from outside the United States, bring the original and an official English translation. If you are in the U.S. on a visa or work authorization, bring all documents showing your current status. Some states also accept a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) document or a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) approval notice. Check your state DMV website for the complete list.

What to bring if you have changed your name

If your name on your identity document does not match the name you want on your Real ID, bring a document showing the legal name change. A marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or adoption decree all work. The document must be an original or certified copy. If you changed your name through marriage, bring the original marriage certificate or a certified copy from the county clerk's office.

Some states require the name-change document to be certified by the court or vital records office. A photocopy will not work. If you have changed your name more than once, bring documents for each change in order. The DMV will not issue a Real ID if your name does not match across your documents, so resolve any discrepancies before you go.

Organize your documents before you arrive at the DMV

Write your name and date of birth on the back of each photocopy in case they get separated from the originals. Keep the originals in a folder separate from the copies so the DMV staff knows which is which. Organize your documents by category — all identity documents together, all residency documents together, and so on — so you can hand them over quickly when you reach the counter.

If any document is damaged, faded, or hard to read, bring a second document in that category if you have one. The DMV staff will tell you on the spot if a document is not acceptable, and having a backup means you can complete your process the same day instead of going home and returning later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photocopy of my birth certificate if it is certified?

Yes. A certified copy from the vital records office is acceptable. A photocopy you made yourself is not, even if you have it notarized. The certification must come from the government office that issued the original.

What if my address on my lease does not match my mailing address?

Use the document showing your actual residence — the address where you live. If you receive mail at a different address, bring a second document showing that address as well, but your residency proof must show where you physically live.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card if I have a recent pay stub?

No. A pay stub showing your full Social Security number is acceptable proof. You do not need the card itself. Bring whichever document you have that clearly shows your number.

Can I use a bank statement from three months ago as proof of residency?

No. Most states require residency documents dated within the last 60 days. A three-month-old statement will not work. Bring a recent utility bill, lease, or bank statement instead.

What if I do not have a birth certificate because I was born outside the U.S.?

Bring your passport or passport card instead. If your passport is expired, some states still accept it for Real ID purposes. If you have a Certificate of Naturalization, that also proves citizenship. Check your state DMV website for other options if you do not have these documents.