Documents Required for Texas Driver's License Renewal

To renew your Texas driver's license, you need proof of identity, proof of residency, and your current license or ID. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) requires specific documents — not just any form of ID. If you do not bring the right documents, the DPS will not process your renewal, and you will have to return another day.

The documents fall into three categories: identity, residency, and your current license. You must bring at least one document from the identity list and one from the residency list. Your current Texas driver's license or ID card counts as your identity document, so if you bring it, you only need one residency document. If you do not have your current license, you need two identity documents instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Your current Texas driver's license or ID card serves as your identity document, so you only need one residency document if you bring it.
  • If you do not have your current license, bring two documents from the identity list — such as a passport and birth certificate.
  • Residency documents must show your current Texas address and can include utility bills, lease agreements, or bank statements dated within the last 90 days.
  • You must bring your Social Security number or a document showing it, such as a Social Security card or W-2 form.
  • If your name has changed since your last license, bring a court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree to prove the change.

Identity Documents Accepted by Texas DPS

Texas DPS accepts a limited list of identity documents. Your current Texas driver's license or ID card is the strongest identity document you can bring — it counts as proof of identity on its own. If you do not have your current license, you must bring two documents from the following list: a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a military ID, a state ID from another state, a passport card, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad.

A certified birth certificate means one issued by the vital records office in the county or state where you were born, not a photocopy or hospital record. If you were born outside the United States, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-545 or DS-1350) issued by the U.S. State Department works instead. Military ID includes active duty, retired, and dependent cards issued by the Department of Defense.

Documents from other countries do not count as identity documents for renewal, even if you are a lawful permanent resident. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you will need to bring additional documents — see the section below on non-citizen renewals.

Proof of Residency: What Documents Work

You must show that you live at the address you are listing on your renewal. Texas DPS accepts documents dated within the last 90 days that show your name and current Texas address. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, or a government check all count. Some people bring multiple documents because they are unsure which one will be accepted — you only need one.

The document must be in your name and show your street address, not a P.O. box. If you recently moved and your name is not yet on a utility bill or lease, bring a signed letter from your landlord or property manager on their letterhead, stating your name, the property address, and the move-in date. The DPS also accepts a notarized affidavit of residency if you cannot obtain any other document — you can have this notarized at most banks or through a notary public for a small fee.

If you live with someone else and the bill is in their name, that document will not work. You must bring a document in your own name, or bring the notarized affidavit instead.

Social Security Number and Name Change Documents

You must provide your Social Security number when you renew. You can bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return showing your number. If you do not have any of these, you can provide your number verbally at the DPS office, but having a document is faster and reduces errors.

If your name has changed since your last license — through marriage, divorce, court order, or any other legal change — you must bring proof of the change. A marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order changing your name all count. These documents must be certified copies or originals; photocopies are not accepted. If you were divorced and remarried, bring both the divorce decree and the new marriage certificate.

Documents for Non-Citizens and Visa Holders

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must bring your passport and proof of lawful presence in the United States. Lawful presence can be shown with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), a Permanent Resident Card (green card), a visa, an I-94 arrival/departure record, or a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) document. These documents must be current and valid — expired documents will not be accepted.

If you hold a visa, bring your passport showing the visa stamp and your I-94 record (which you can print from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website if you entered by air or sea). If you have a green card, bring the card itself. If you have an EAD, bring the card. All of these documents must be originals or certified copies — photocopies do not count.

Undocumented immigrants cannot renew a standard driver's license in Texas. Texas does not issue driving privilege documents or any alternative license to people without lawful presence.

Documents You Do Not Need to Bring

You do not need to bring your Social Security card if you have another document showing your number, such as a W-2. You do not need to bring your old license if you still have it, but bringing it makes the process faster because it serves as your identity document. You do not need to bring a medical exam or vision test result — the DPS will conduct the vision test at the office.

You do not need to bring proof of insurance, vehicle registration, or any documents related to a vehicle. You do not need to bring a completed process form — you will fill out the DL-43 form at the DPS office. You do not need to bring a check or money order for the fee; the DPS accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards at most locations.

Common Mistakes That Delay Renewal

The most common mistake is bringing a residency document that is too old. Utility bills and bank statements older than 90 days will be rejected. If you have just moved, do not wait to renew — bring a notarized affidavit of residency instead of a bill in someone else's name. Another frequent error is bringing a photocopy of a birth certificate instead of a certified copy. The DPS will not accept photocopies of vital records, even if they are notarized.

Some people bring documents that show a different name than the one on their current license and assume the DPS will update it. The DPS will not change your name without a legal document proving the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If your name has changed and you do not bring proof, your renewal will be delayed or rejected.

Another mistake is bringing an expired passport or visa as proof of lawful presence. All documents showing immigration status must be current. If your visa or work permit is expiring soon, renew it before you renew your license, or bring an I-94 record instead, which does not expire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I do not have my current license with me?

Yes. Bring two identity documents instead — such as a passport and birth certificate. You still need one residency document. The process takes the same amount of time whether you bring your current license or not.

What if my name on my utility bill does not match my current license?

The residency document must be in the name you are using now. If your name has changed and your utility bill is in your new name but your license is in your old name, bring the legal document proving the change — a marriage certificate or court order — along with the utility bill. The DPS will update your name and address at the same time.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card?

No, but you must provide your Social Security number. A W-2, 1099, or tax return works instead. You can also provide the number verbally at the office, though having a document is faster.

What if I just moved and do not have a utility bill in my name yet?

Bring a notarized affidavit of residency signed by a notary public. You can have this notarized at most banks or through a notary service for a small fee. Include your name, the new address, and the move-in date in the affidavit.

Can I renew if my passport is expired?

If you are a non-citizen using your passport as an identity document, it must be current. If you are a U.S. citizen using an expired passport as one of two identity documents, it is accepted — expired passports still count as identity documents for U.S. citizens. However, if you are showing lawful presence with an expired visa or work permit, that will not be accepted.