Bring These Documents to the DPS Office

Texas requires you to bring an original or certified copy of six specific documents to the Department of Public Safety office. You cannot use photocopies, faxes, or digital images — the documents must be physical originals or certified copies issued by the government body that created them. The DPS will not accept expired documents for proof of identity or residency, though some documents (like a Social Security card) do not expire and are still valid.

The six categories are: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, proof of Texas residency, proof of lawful presence in the United States, proof of a name change (if applicable), and your completed process form. You do not need all six categories if you are renewing or replacing a license — first-time applicants need the full set.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring originals or certified copies; photocopies and digital images will not be accepted at the DPS office.
  • Proof of identity can be a passport, birth certificate, or military ID; proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days.
  • You need a Social Security card or a letter from the Social Security Administration if you do not have a card.
  • If your name has changed, bring the original court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree that shows the change.
  • Bring your completed DL 44 form (the process) and be ready to pay the license fee, which varies by license type and validity period.

Proof of Identity: What the DPS Accepts

An original or certified copy of a U.S. passport is the easiest proof of identity because it covers both identity and lawful presence in one document. If you do not have a passport, bring an original birth certificate issued by the state or county where you were born — ask the vital records office in that state for a certified copy if you do not have the original. A military ID card (active duty or retired) also works, as does a Certificate of Naturalization if you were born outside the United States.

If you were born outside the U.S. and do not have a passport or Certificate of Naturalization, you can bring a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) or a Certificate of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350). These are issued by the U.S. State Department and prove you are a U.S. citizen. Do not bring a state ID from another state, a school ID, or a work ID — the DPS does not accept these as proof of identity.

Proof of Social Security Number

Bring your original Social Security card or a letter from the Social Security Administration that shows your number. You can request this letter online at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213. The letter takes about two weeks to arrive by mail. If you do not have a Social Security number and are a U.S. citizen, you can explore for one at a Social Security office before you go to the DPS — you will need your birth certificate and proof of identity.

If you are not a U.S. citizen but have a valid visa or work authorization, you may have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number. Bring your ITIN documentation or a letter from the IRS showing your ITIN. The DPS will accept this in place of a Social Security number.

Proof of Texas Residency: Current Address Documents

You need a document dated within the last 90 days that shows your current Texas address. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet) is the most common choice. You can also bring a lease or rental agreement, a bank or credit union statement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, or a homeowners or renters insurance policy. The document must show your name and current address — a bill addressed to a spouse or family member at your address will not work.

If you live with someone else and cannot get a document in your name, bring a notarized affidavit of residency signed by the person whose name is on the utility bill or lease. You can read the form from the DPS website or ask a notary public to help you create one. The affidavit must state that you live at that address and be signed by the resident and a notary. Some DPS offices also accept a voter registration card or a school enrollment letter as proof of residency.

Proof of Lawful Presence in the United States

If your passport does not cover this (most U.S. passports do), you need a separate document proving you are allowed to be in the United States. A Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of U.S. Citizenship proves you are a citizen. If you were born in the U.S., your birth certificate serves this purpose. If you are a permanent resident (green card holder), bring your Permanent Resident Card (green card) or a receipt notice showing you have applied for one.

If you are in the U.S. on a visa, bring your passport with a valid visa stamp or your Employment Authorization Document (EAD). If you have a pending immigration case, bring a receipt notice (Form I-797) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) showing your case number and that your case is pending. The DPS will not issue a standard driver's license to someone without lawful presence, but Texas does offer a driving privilege document to certain people without lawful presence — ask at the DPS office whether you may be may be able to access.

Name Change Documents: If Your Name Is Different Now

If your current legal name is different from the name on your birth certificate, bring the document that changed your name. A marriage certificate (certified copy) shows a name change through marriage. A divorce decree or court order shows a name change through divorce or legal name change. If you were adopted, bring your adoption decree. These must be originals or certified copies — ask the court clerk or vital records office for a certified copy if you do not have one.

If you have changed your name multiple times, bring documents for each change in order. For example, if you were born under one name, married and changed your name, then divorced and changed it again, bring your birth certificate, marriage certificate, and divorce decree. The DPS will use these to verify your legal name history.

The process Form and What Happens Next

Fill out Form DL 44 (process for Texas Driver License) before you go to the DPS office, or ask for it when you arrive. You can read it from the DPS website or pick one up at any DPS office. The form asks for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and whether you have any medical conditions that affect your driving. Answer honestly — lying on the form is a criminal offense.

Bring your completed form, all six categories of documents, and payment for the license fee. The fee depends on the type of license (Class C for regular driving, Class M for motorcycles) and how long you want it to be valid (four years, six years, or eight years). You will also take a written test on traffic laws, a vision test, and a driving test. Some DPS offices let you schedule these in advance online; others work on a first-come, first-served basis. Check your local office's website for hours and whether appointments are available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a digital copy of my birth certificate on my phone?

No. The DPS requires physical originals or certified paper copies. Digital images, screenshots, and PDF files on your phone will not be accepted. If you have only a digital copy, contact the vital records office in the state where you were born and request a certified paper copy by mail.

What if I do not have a Social Security number yet?

You can explore for one at a Social Security office before you go to the DPS. Bring your birth certificate and proof of identity. Once you receive your Social Security card, you can go to the DPS. If you are not may be able to access for a Social Security number, bring documentation of your ITIN or ask the DPS whether you may have access to for a driving privilege document instead.

My utility bill is in my roommate's name. Can I use it?

No, the bill must show your name. Instead, bring a notarized affidavit of residency signed by your roommate and a notary public. You can also use a bank statement, lease, or other document in your name if you have one. Some DPS offices accept a school enrollment letter or voter registration card as an alternative.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card if I have a letter from Social Security?

No. You can bring either the card or the letter, not both. The letter from the Social Security Administration is just as valid as the card itself. If you are waiting for a letter to arrive, you can bring your card instead.

What if my name on my birth certificate does not match my current legal name?

Bring both your birth certificate and the document that changed your name — such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order for a legal name change. The DPS will use these together to verify your legal name history and issue a license in your current legal name.