Bring These Documents to Your DPS Appointment

Texas DPS requires you to bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, a Social Security card or document showing your number, and proof of your current address. You also need a completed DL 44 form (process for Texas Driver License) or DL 44 form with your information already filled in if you completed it online beforehand. Bring your passport, Enhanced Driver License, or another REAL ID-compliant document if you have one — this speeds up the identity verification step.

If your name has changed since your birth certificate was issued, bring the legal document that shows the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. DPS will not process your process without proof that your current legal name matches your identity documents.

Bring the original documents themselves, not photocopies. DPS staff will examine them in person and return them to you. The only exception is your Social Security card — you can bring a copy if you prefer not to hand over the original, though DPS prefers the original.

Key Takeaways

  • Your birth certificate (original or certified copy), Social Security card or number proof, and proof of address are the three documents DPS will not issue a license without.
  • If your name has changed, bring the legal document showing the change — marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — or DPS will reject your process.
  • Bring originals, not copies, except for your Social Security card, which you can photocopy if you want to keep the original.
  • Complete the DL 44 form before you arrive, either on paper or online, to reduce wait time at the DPS office.
  • Bring a REAL ID-compliant document like a passport if you have one, because it satisfies both identity and federal compliance requirements in one step.

Proof of Texas Residency: What DPS Accepts

DPS accepts a narrow list of documents as proof of your current address. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax bill all work if they show your name and a Texas address dated within the last 30 days. Bank statements, insurance documents, and government mail also count if they meet the same criteria.

If you do not have a document in your name, you can bring a notarized affidavit from someone who lives with you — a family member or roommate — stating that you live at that address. The affidavit must be signed in front of a notary public. This is slower than bringing a utility bill, so use it only if you have no other option.

Do not bring a lease or mortgage document that is older than 30 days. DPS will reject it. If you just moved, bring the most recent document you have, even if it is from your previous address, and explain the move to the DPS employee. They may ask for additional proof, such as a forwarding address notice from the post office.

Identity Documents: Which Ones DPS Will Accept

Your birth certificate is the primary identity document DPS requires. It must be an original or certified copy issued by the vital records office in the state or country where you were born. A photocopy of your birth certificate will not work. If you were born outside the United States, bring your birth certificate plus your passport or visa to prove lawful presence.

If you do not have your birth certificate, you can request one from the vital records office in your birth state. This takes one to three weeks depending on the state. While you wait, you cannot start the driver's license process at DPS.

Your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number is required. If you do not have a card, bring a W-2, tax return, or Social Security statement showing your number. DPS will not issue a license without this.

Name Change Documents: When You Need Them

If you married, divorced, or legally changed your name since your birth certificate was issued, bring the document that proves the change. A marriage certificate works if you took your spouse's name. A divorce decree or court order works if you changed your name as part of the divorce or through a separate legal proceeding.

The document must be an original or certified copy. A photocopy will not work. If your marriage certificate or divorce decree is from another state, it is still valid — DPS accepts name-change documents from any state or country.

If you have changed your name more than once, bring all the documents in order. For example, if you married, then divorced and took back your maiden name, bring both the marriage certificate and the divorce decree. DPS needs to see the chain of legal changes to verify your current legal name.

The DL 44 Form and How to Complete It Before You Go

The DL 44 is the official process for Texas Driver License. You can read it from the Texas DPS website and fill it out by hand before your appointment, or you can complete it online through the DPS portal. Completing it ahead of time cuts your time at the office significantly.

The form asks for your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, height, eye color, and whether you have any medical conditions that affect your driving. Answer every field. If a question does not explore to you, write "N/A" rather than leaving it blank.

If you complete the form online, you will receive a confirmation number. Print it or save it on your phone and bring it to your appointment. DPS will scan it when you arrive, and your information will already be in their system. If you fill out the paper form by hand, bring it with you and give it to the DPS employee when you check in.

Bring Proof of Your Social Security Number

Your Social Security card itself is the easiest proof, but DPS also accepts a W-2 form, tax return, Social Security statement, or 1099 form if it shows your full number. You do not need to bring all of these — one document showing your number is enough.

If you do not have any of these documents, you can request a replacement Social Security card from the Social Security Administration. This takes two to four weeks. You cannot get a Texas driver's license without proof of your Social Security number, so do not skip this step.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may not have a Social Security number. In that case, bring an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) document instead. DPS will accept an ITIN in place of a Social Security number for driver's license purposes.

Documents You Do Not Need to Bring

You do not need to bring your current driver's license if you have one from another state, though it can help speed up the process. You do not need to bring proof of insurance, vehicle registration, or a vehicle title — those are not part of the driver's license process.

You do not need to bring your high school diploma, college degree, or any educational records. You do not need to bring medical records or a doctor's note, even if you have a medical condition. DPS will ask you about your health during the appointment, and you can describe any conditions then.

Do not bring original documents you cannot afford to lose, such as a passport you need for travel in the next few weeks. DPS will return all documents to you, but the process can take a few minutes, and mistakes happen. If you have a passport, bring it, but understand the small risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. DPS requires an original or certified copy issued by the vital records office. A photocopy will not work, and DPS will turn you away. If you do not have your original, order a certified copy from the vital records office in your birth state — this takes one to three weeks depending on the state.

What if I do not have a document showing my current address?

You can bring a notarized affidavit from someone who lives with you, such as a family member or roommate, stating that you live at that address. The affidavit must be signed in front of a notary public. This is slower than bringing a utility bill, so use it only if you have no other option.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card, or can I bring a copy?

You can bring either the original card or a photocopy. DPS prefers the original, but a copy is acceptable. If you do not have a card, bring a W-2, tax return, or Social Security statement showing your number instead.

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

Bring the legal document that shows the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. DPS needs to see proof of the change before they will issue a license in your current name. If you have changed your name more than once, bring all the documents in order.

Can I complete the DL 44 form at the DPS office, or do I need to bring it filled out?

You can do either. Completing it online or by hand before you arrive cuts your wait time at the office. If you complete it online, bring your confirmation number. If you fill it out by hand, bring the completed form with you.