The Documents You Must Bring

Every state requires you to prove three things before issuing a driver's license: your identity, your Social Security number, and your current address. The specific documents that prove each one vary by state, but the categories do not. You will need one document from each category, and some documents count for more than one category at once.

Most states accept a passport, passport card, or certified birth certificate as proof of identity. A few states also accept a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or a Certificate of Naturalization. For Social Security, you will need your actual Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a Social Security statement from ssa.gov. For address, bring a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. Some states accept insurance documents or government mail instead.

If you do not have a Social Security number — because you are not a U.S. citizen or have not been issued one — some states will issue a driver's license using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. Others will not. Check your state's DMV website before you go, because this rule is one of the most common reasons for a rejected process.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, or equivalent), proof of your Social Security number or ITIN, and proof of your current address dated within 60 days.
  • A single document can count toward more than one requirement — for example, a passport proves both identity and citizenship — so you may not need three separate papers.
  • States that accept ITIN instead of a Social Security number are the exception, not the rule; verify this with your state DMV before your appointment.
  • Certified copies of documents cost money and take time to obtain, so order them at least two weeks before your appointment if you do not already have them.
  • Bringing the wrong documents is the most common reason for a failed appointment; bring originals or certified copies, not photocopies or photos of documents.

Proof of Identity Documents That Work in All States

A U.S. passport or passport card is accepted in every state and counts as proof of both identity and citizenship. If you have one, bring it — it is the fastest way through the process. A certified birth certificate (the official copy with the state seal, not a photocopy) also works in every state, though some states require it to be certified within a certain number of years. Check your state's DMV website for the age limit if your birth certificate is more than five years old.

A Certificate of Naturalization or Consular Report of Birth Abroad works in most states but not all. If you were born outside the United States and naturalized as a citizen, or if you were born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent, bring whichever document you have. If your state does not accept it, you can use a passport instead, or you can request a certified birth certificate from the state where you were born (or from the U.S. State Department if you were born abroad).

Military ID, tribal ID, and permanent resident cards (green cards) do not count as proof of identity for a driver's license in most states, even though they are government-issued. Do not rely on them as your primary identity document. If you have a passport or birth certificate, use that instead.

Proof of Social Security Number or ITIN

Your actual Social Security card is the simplest proof. If you have lost it, you can order a replacement from ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213. A replacement takes about two weeks to arrive by mail. If you cannot wait, bring a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a Social Security statement printed from your ssa.gov account instead. All three are accepted in every state.

If you do not have a Social Security number, you may have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) issued by the IRS. An ITIN is a nine-digit number used for tax purposes and is available to people who are not may be able to access for a Social Security number. Some states — including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington — will issue a driver's license using an ITIN. Most other states will not. If your state does not accept ITIN, you cannot get a standard driver's license; some states offer a different document (such as a state ID card) instead, but the rules vary. Check your state DMV website before you go.

If you have an ITIN, bring your IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number letter or a tax return showing your ITIN. Do not bring a photocopy — bring the original or a certified copy from the IRS.

Proof of Current Address

A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days is accepted in almost every state. The document must show your name and your current address. If you have recently moved and your utility bill still shows your old address, bring a lease or mortgage document instead. If you are living with someone else and do not have a bill in your name, ask the person whose name is on the bill to write a letter on the bill itself or on a separate sheet, stating that you live there and the date you moved in. Some states accept this; others do not. Call your DMV before your appointment to ask.

Government mail — such as a tax return, voter registration card, or court document — counts as proof of address in most states. Insurance documents (car, home, or renter's insurance) are accepted in some states but not others. Do not assume; check your state's DMV website for the exact list.

A post office change-of-address form does not count as proof of address. Neither does a cell phone bill, a credit card statement, or a letter from an employer. These are common mistakes that result in a rejected process.

Documents You Need for a Name Change or Correction

If your name on your birth certificate or passport does not match the name you want on your driver's license, you will need to bring a document that shows the change. A marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order for a legal name change all work. Bring the original or a certified copy.

If there is a spelling error on your birth certificate — for example, your name is spelled "Jon" but the certificate says "John" — you have two options. You can bring the birth certificate as-is and tell the DMV the correct spelling, and they will issue the license with the correct spelling. Or you can request a corrected birth certificate from the state where you were born before your appointment. The first option is faster; the second is more formal. Either way, be prepared to explain the error.

Documents for Minors and Parental Consent

If you are under 18, you will need your own identity, Social Security, and address documents, plus a parent or guardian's consent. Most states require the parent or guardian to be present at the appointment. Some states allow a notarized consent form instead if the parent cannot attend. Check your state's DMV website for the exact rule.

The parent or guardian will also need to bring their own identity document (such as a driver's license or passport) to prove they are who they say they are. If the parent's last name is different from yours, bring a document that shows the relationship — such as a birth certificate, adoption papers, or a court order. This prevents fraud and is required in every state.

What Happens If You Do Not Have the Right Documents

If you arrive at your appointment without the correct documents, the DMV will not issue a license. You will lose your appointment slot and your fee (if you paid in advance). You will have to schedule another appointment, which can take weeks depending on your state and how busy the DMV is.

The most common missing documents are a certified birth certificate (people bring photocopies instead), proof of address dated within 60 days (people bring old bills), and proof of the parent's identity for minors. Before your appointment, check your state's DMV website one more time and call if you are unsure about any document. A five-minute phone call saves you a wasted trip.

If you are missing a document and cannot get it in time, ask the DMV whether you can bring a temporary substitute or a letter from the issuing agency explaining the delay. Some states allow this; most do not. Do not assume.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a photocopy or a photo of my documents instead of the original?

No. The DMV requires original documents or certified copies. A photocopy or a photo on your phone will not be accepted. If you have lost the original, contact the issuing agency (the state vital records office for a birth certificate, the Social Security Administration for a Social Security card, your utility company for a bill) and request a certified copy or duplicate.

What if my address on my ID does not match my current address?

Bring a document dated within the last 60 days that shows your current address, such as a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement. The DMV will update your address on the new license. You do not need to match your old ID to your new one.

Do I need to bring my old driver's license if I am renewing?

Yes, in most states. Your old license counts as proof of identity and citizenship, so you may not need a birth certificate or passport. Check your state's DMV website to confirm. If you have lost your old license, bring a birth certificate or passport instead.

Can I use a green card as my only proof of identity?

A green card (Permanent Resident Card) is not accepted as proof of identity for a driver's license in most states, even though it is a government document. Bring a passport, birth certificate, or other document from your state's accepted list instead. If you are a permanent resident but not a U.S. citizen, check your state's rules — some states issue driver's licenses to permanent residents, and others do not.

What if I was born outside the United States and do not have a birth certificate?

Request a Consular Report of Birth Abroad from the U.S. State Department, or explore for a U.S. passport, which also counts as proof of identity. Both take time, so start the process at least four weeks before your DMV appointment. If you cannot wait, contact your state DMV to ask whether they accept any other documents.