Documents You Need for an Indiana License Renewal
To renew your Indiana driver's license, you need to bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and your current license. The exact documents depend on whether you are renewing in person at a BMV branch or by mail, and whether your name or address has changed since your last license was issued.
Indiana's Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) has a specific list of acceptable documents for each category. Bringing the wrong documents will delay your renewal, so check what you have before you go to the branch or submit your process by mail.
Key Takeaways
- You must bring your current Indiana driver's license, a document proving your identity, and a document proving your current address.
- If your name has changed since your last license, you need a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
- Mail-in renewals require the same documents as in-person renewals, but you must send originals or certified copies, not photocopies.
- If your address has changed, you must show proof of residency at your new address; a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days works.
- The BMV accepts a limited set of documents for each category, so calling your local branch before you visit can save you a trip.
Proof of Identity Documents Accepted by Indiana
Indiana accepts a narrow list of documents as proof of identity. Your current Indiana driver's license counts as proof of identity, so if you are renewing a license you already hold, you have already met this requirement. If you are renewing after your license expired or was suspended, you still need to show identity.
Acceptable identity documents include a U.S. passport, a U.S. passport card, a military ID, a state ID card from another state, a tribal ID, or a certified copy of your birth certificate. A school ID, work ID, or credit card does not count. If you are a non-citizen, a valid visa or employment authorization document (EAD) also counts as proof of identity.
The document must not be expired. If you are bringing a birth certificate, it must be a certified copy with the state seal, not a photocopy or hospital record.
Proof of Residency: What Indiana Accepts
Proof of residency shows that you live at the address you are putting on your license. Indiana requires this document to be dated within 60 days of your process. If you moved recently and do not yet have a utility bill or lease in your name, you may not be able to renew until you do.
Documents that count as proof of residency include a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, a homeowner's insurance policy, or a bank or credit card statement. The document must show your name and your current address. A post office change-of-address form does not count.
If you live with someone else and the utility bill or lease is in their name, you can bring a notarized affidavit stating that you live there, plus a copy of the bill or lease. This is slower than bringing a document in your own name, so plan extra time if this is your situation.
Name Change Documents You Must Bring
If your name has changed since your last license was issued, you must bring a certified copy of the document that caused the change. Indiana does not accept photocopies or uncertified documents for name changes.
Acceptable name change documents include a certified marriage certificate, a certified divorce decree, a certified court order for a legal name change, or a certified adoption decree. You can get a certified copy from the county clerk's office where the document was issued. If you were married or divorced in another state, you need a certified copy from that state's vital records office.
If you have changed your name more than once — for example, you were married, divorced, and married again — you need certified copies of each document in order. Indiana will not issue a license with a name change unless you can document the full chain.
Documents for Mail-In Renewal versus In-Person Renewal
Indiana allows mail-in renewal for some drivers, but the documents you send must be originals or certified copies. You cannot send photocopies. If you are renewing by mail, you must include your current license, proof of identity, proof of residency, and any name change documents.
In-person renewal at a BMV branch is faster and allows the clerk to verify your documents on the spot. You can bring originals or certified copies in person. If a document is unclear or appears altered, the clerk can ask you questions or request a different document right away, rather than having your process rejected by mail weeks later.
Mail-in renewal takes 7 to 10 business days after the BMV receives your process. In-person renewal is usually completed the same day. If you are renewing close to your expiration date, in-person renewal is safer.
What to Do If You Do Not Have the Right Documents
If you do not have proof of residency dated within the last 60 days, you cannot renew until you do. You cannot use an older utility bill or lease. If you just moved, wait until you receive a bill or statement at your new address, or ask your landlord or utility company for a letter on letterhead confirming your residency.
If you do not have a certified copy of a name change document, contact the county clerk's office or vital records office where the document was issued. Certified copies usually cost $5 to $25 and take 1 to 2 weeks to arrive. Plan ahead if you need one.
If you do not have an acceptable proof of identity, you can obtain a state ID card from the BMV first, which then counts as proof of identity for your license renewal. This adds a step and costs extra, so check what you have before you visit.
Common Mistakes That Delay Indiana License Renewals
The most common mistake is bringing a utility bill or lease dated more than 60 days ago. The BMV will reject your process and ask you to resubmit with a current document. If you are renewing by mail, this means your process is delayed by at least a week.
The second common mistake is bringing a photocopy of a name change document instead of a certified copy. The BMV will not accept it, even if the photocopy is clear and notarized. You must get a certified copy from the issuing office.
The third mistake is not bringing your current license. Even if it is expired, you need to bring it. If you have lost it, you must report it to the BMV and may need to pay a replacement fee before you can renew.
A fourth mistake is bringing documents that show a different name than the one on your current license without also bringing a certified name change document. The BMV will not update your name without proof of the legal change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Indiana license if I moved out of state?
No. Indiana requires proof of residency at an Indiana address. If you have moved out of state, you must obtain a driver's license from your new state instead. You can surrender your Indiana license to the BMV or let it expire.
What if my name on my utility bill does not match my current license?
If the name on your utility bill does not match your current license, the BMV will not accept it as proof of residency. Bring a different document that shows your current legal name, or bring both the utility bill and a certified name change document so the BMV can update your name and accept the bill as proof of residency.
Do I need to bring my Social Security card?
No. Indiana does not require a Social Security card for license renewal. You will provide your Social Security number on the process form, but you do not need to bring the card itself.
Can I use a bank statement from an online bank that I printed at home?
Yes, as long as it shows your name, your current address, and is dated within the last 60 days. It does not need to be a paper statement from the bank; a printed statement from your online account works.
What if I have a legal name change but no certified copy yet?
You cannot renew until you have the certified copy. Contact the court or vital records office that issued the document and request a certified copy. This usually takes 1 to 2 weeks. You can renew your license once you receive it.