Documents required to renew in Florida
To renew your Florida driver's license by mail or in person, you need to bring proof of your identity, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current Florida address. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) accepts specific documents for each category — you cannot use just any ID or bill.
If you are renewing in person at a Driver License office, bring originals or certified copies. If you are renewing by mail, send copies. The DHSMV will not return documents you mail in, so do not send originals of anything you need to keep.
Your renewal notice — the postcard or letter DHSMV sent you — is not a required document, but it tells you your renewal important date and your driver's license number. Keep it handy when you renew.
Key Takeaways
- You must bring one document proving identity, one proving your Social Security number, and one proving your Florida address — they cannot be the same document.
- A U.S. passport, passport card, or REAL ID-compliant driver's license from another state all work as proof of identity.
- A Social Security card, W-2 form, or 1099 form from the past year all work as proof of your Social Security number.
- A recent utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement in your name works as proof of address, but a PO box does not.
- If you do not have the required documents, you can renew online through Florida's license portal if you meet other conditions, or you can visit a Driver License office with what you have and ask about alternatives.
Proof of identity documents DHSMV accepts
DHSMV accepts a U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, or a valid driver's license or ID card from another U.S. state or territory as proof of identity. If your passport or out-of-state license has expired, it still counts as long as the expiration date is within the past five years.
If you do not have a passport or out-of-state ID, DHSMV also accepts a certified birth certificate, a Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship, a Permanent Resident Card (green card), a Tribal ID card issued by a federally recognized tribe, or a military ID card. Military dependents can use a military dependent ID.
Documents must be originals or certified copies. A photocopy of your birth certificate or passport will not work. If you are renewing by mail, send a copy of the certified document — DHSMV will not return it.
Proof of Social Security number documents DHSMV accepts
DHSMV accepts your original Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return from the past 12 months as proof of your Social Security number. The document must show your full name and full Social Security number.
If you do not have a Social Security card and cannot produce a W-2 or 1099, you can bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating your number. You can request this letter online at ssa.gov or by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.
If you are renewing by mail and sending a tax return or W-2, send a copy — do not send the original. Your Social Security card can be sent as an original if you are comfortable with that, but the DHSMV will not return it.
Proof of Florida address documents DHSMV accepts
DHSMV accepts a recent utility bill, a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, an insurance policy, or a bank or credit card statement in your name and showing your current Florida address. The document must be dated within the past 60 days.
A PO box address does not count as proof of residence. If you live in a hotel, motel, or temporary housing, bring a signed letter from the property manager or owner on letterhead stating your name, the property address, and the dates you have lived there.
If you are homeless or do not have a permanent address, contact your local Driver License office to ask about options. Some offices can work with you using an address of a shelter, a social services agency, or another location where you receive mail.
When you can renew online instead of bringing documents
Florida allows online renewal through its license portal if you meet all of these conditions: your license is not suspended or revoked, you are not required to take a vision or written test, you have not changed your name since your last license was issued, and your license has not been lost or stolen. You also cannot have any active traffic citations or criminal charges pending in Florida.
If you renew online, you do not need to bring documents to an office. You will answer questions about your identity and current information, pay the renewal fee, and receive your new license by mail. Online renewal takes about two weeks.
If you do not meet these conditions, you must renew in person at a Driver License office and bring the required documents.
What to do if you do not have the required documents
If you are missing one or more of the required documents, visit your local Driver License office before your license expires. Bring whatever documents you do have. The office staff can tell you what alternatives exist in your situation — for example, if you do not have a Social Security card, they can help you get a letter from the Social Security Administration, or they may be able to verify your number through other means.
Do not wait until your license expires to sort this out. Once your license is expired, you cannot legally drive, and some offices have longer wait times for expired-license renewals. If you know you are missing documents, call your local Driver License office at least two weeks before your renewal important date and ask what you can bring instead.
If you have lost your Social Security card and cannot get a replacement in time, the Social Security Administration can issue a letter with your number within one to two weeks if you explore in person at a local Social Security office. This letter counts as proof of your Social Security number for DHSMV purposes.
Documents you do not need to bring
You do not need to bring your current license, your renewal notice, proof of insurance, or proof of residency beyond the address document listed above. You do not need a notarized statement or any document signed by a witness. DHSMV does not require a medical exam or vision test unless you are renewing after a suspension or revocation, or unless you have a medical condition that affects your ability to drive.
If you are renewing by mail, you do not need to include a new photo — DHSMV will use the photo from your current license unless you request a new one. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a Driver License office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew if my passport or out-of-state ID is expired?
Yes, as long as it expired within the past five years. Bring the expired document as your proof of identity. If it expired more than five years ago, you will need a different identity document from the accepted list.
What if my address on my utility bill does not match my current address exactly?
The address on the document must match the address you are claiming as your current residence. If you recently moved and your utility bill still shows your old address, bring a different document dated within the past 60 days that shows your new address — a lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement, for example.
Can I use a copy of my Social Security card instead of the original?
If you are renewing in person, bring the original. If you are renewing by mail, send a copy — DHSMV will not return it. A photocopy is acceptable for mail renewal.
Do I need to bring documents if I renew online?
No. Online renewal does not require you to submit documents. You answer identity verification questions instead. You can only renew online if your license is not suspended, you have not changed your name, and you meet other conditions listed on the DHSMV website.
What if I was born outside the United States and do not have a birth certificate?
Bring your Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, or Permanent Resident Card (green card) as proof of identity instead. These documents are accepted in place of a birth certificate.