Documents required depend on which type of license you're getting

Texas requires different paperwork for a standard driver's license, a Real ID, and a commercial license. The core documents — proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number — stay the same across all three, but Real ID adds a citizenship or legal presence requirement, and commercial licenses require medical certification. Before you go to the DPS office, gather everything on the list for your specific license type. Showing up with incomplete paperwork means a wasted trip.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) publishes the exact list on their website, and it changes occasionally. This guide covers the most common documents people bring, but you should verify the current requirements at dps.texas.gov or call your local DPS office before you go.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard Texas driver's license requires proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number or ITIN, but does not require proof of citizenship.
  • Real ID requires the same documents plus proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence, such as a birth certificate, passport, or immigration document.
  • You must bring original documents or certified copies — photocopies alone will not be accepted, and DPS will not notarize documents for you.
  • Proof of residency must show your current address and be dated within 90 days, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement.
  • Commercial driver's licenses require all standard documents plus a medical certificate (MCSA-5876) signed by a licensed physician within the past 14 days.

Proof of identity documents Texas DPS will accept

Your primary identity document must be an original or certified copy. A photocopy of your passport or birth certificate will not work. The DPS accepts a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a passport card, a military ID, a tribal ID, or a foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa. If you have a passport, bring it — it covers both identity and citizenship in one document.

If your birth certificate is from Texas, you can order a certified copy from the Texas Vital Statistics Unit. Out-of-state birth certificates must come from the vital records office in the state where you were born. The process takes one to three weeks by mail, so order early if you need one. A hospital birth certificate or a photocopy is not acceptable.

If you do not have a passport or birth certificate, you can use a military ID, a tribal enrollment card, or a foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa. Military dependents can use a military dependent ID. If none of these explore to you, contact your local DPS office — they have a process for people without standard identity documents, but it requires additional paperwork and takes longer.

Proof of residency: what documents work and what does not

Proof of residency must show your current street address and be dated within the last 90 days. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, or a government document with your address all work. The document must have your name and address printed on it — a handwritten address does not count.

A cell phone bill, insurance bill, or medical bill also counts if it shows your current address and is recent. A post office change-of-address form does not work. If you are homeless or do not have a fixed address, tell the DPS office when you arrive — they have an alternative process that involves a signed statement from someone who can verify where you sleep.

If you have just moved and your utility bill or lease still shows your old address, bring two documents: one showing your old address (dated within 90 days) and one showing your new address. A lease or rental agreement with a move-in date counts as proof of your new address even if the utility company has not caught up yet.

Real ID documents: citizenship and legal presence

A Real ID requires proof that you are a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. A U.S. passport or passport card satisfies this requirement on its own. If you do not have a passport, bring a certified birth certificate (if you were born in the U.S.) or an immigration document showing lawful permanent resident status.

Lawful permanent residents can bring an I-551 Permanent Resident Card (green card), an I-797 Notice of Action showing conditional permanent resident status, or an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record with an I-797 showing you have been granted asylum or refugee status. If you have a work visa or student visa but are not a permanent resident, you cannot get a Real ID — you can get a standard driver's license instead.

Real ID is required to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building as of May 2025. If you do not need to fly or enter federal buildings, a standard driver's license works for all other purposes, including driving and voting in Texas.

Commercial driver's license medical certification

A commercial driver's license (CDL) requires a medical certificate (MCSA-5876) signed by a licensed physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant within the last 14 days. The form certifies that you meet federal medical standards for commercial driving — vision, hearing, blood pressure, and other basic health measures.

You can get the form from your doctor, a clinic, or an urgent care center. The provider fills it out and signs it; you bring the original to the DPS office. The form costs between $50 and $150 depending on the provider. Some employers require a more detailed medical exam, but the MCSA-5876 is the minimum Texas requires.

The medical certificate is valid for two years from the date the provider signs it. If your certificate expires before your CDL does, you will need to renew it to keep driving commercially. You cannot renew a CDL without a current medical certificate.

Original documents versus certified copies

DPS will accept either an original document or a certified copy. A certified copy is a photocopy stamped and signed by the issuing agency — for example, a certified copy of your birth certificate from the vital records office. A photocopy you made yourself, even if you notarize it, is not a certified copy and will not be accepted.

If you bring an original document, DPS will not keep it — they will look at it, verify it, and hand it back. You do not lose your passport or birth certificate by showing it to them. If you are worried about carrying an original, bring a certified copy instead and leave the original at home.

DPS offices do not notarize documents, and they do not issue certified copies. If you need a certified copy of your birth certificate, contact the vital records office in the state where you were born. If you need a certified copy of a document from another country, contact that country's consulate or embassy in the United States.

What to bring on the day of your appointment

Bring all original documents or certified copies in a folder or envelope so they do not get lost or damaged. Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number — a tax return, W-2, or 1099 works. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) card or a letter from the IRS showing your ITIN.

Bring your current driver's license or ID if you have one. If you are renewing, bring your expiring license. If you are getting your first license, bring nothing else for this step. Bring cash or a debit card — DPS offices accept both, but some do not accept credit cards. The fee for a standard driver's license is $33 for a five-year license or $66 for an eight-year license.

Arrive early. DPS offices have limited appointment slots, and walk-ins are served only if time allows. If you do not have an appointment, you may wait several hours or be turned away. You can book an appointment online at dps.texas.gov or by calling your local DPS office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photocopy of my birth certificate instead of the original?

No. DPS requires an original or a certified copy from the vital records office. A photocopy you made yourself will not be accepted. If you need a certified copy, contact the vital records office in the state where you were born — the process takes one to three weeks by mail.

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

Bring both documents. Your lease shows your current address, and your ID shows your identity. DPS will accept them together as proof of both identity and residency. If you just moved, bring your old lease or utility bill (showing your old address) and your new lease (showing your new address).

Do I need a passport to get a Real ID?

No. A passport is the easiest way because it proves both identity and citizenship in one document. If you do not have a passport, bring a certified birth certificate (if you were born in the U.S.) or an immigration document showing lawful permanent resident status.

What happens if I bring incomplete paperwork?

DPS will not process your process. You will have to reschedule and come back with the missing documents. This is why checking the current requirements at dps.texas.gov before your appointment is important — requirements change occasionally, and you want to avoid a wasted trip.

Can I get a Real ID if I have a work visa but am not a permanent resident?

No. Real ID requires U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status. If you have a work visa or student visa, you can get a standard driver's license instead, which works for driving and all purposes except boarding domestic flights or entering federal buildings.