Which documents prove who you are and where you live

To get a Real ID, you need to bring documents that prove three things: your identity, your Social Security number, and your current address. The exact documents that work vary slightly by state, but the categories are the same everywhere. You will bring originals or certified copies — photocopies alone do not work — and the documents must be current or only recently expired.

Most people bring a birth certificate or passport for identity, a Social Security card or tax return for your SSN, and a utility bill or lease for your address. Some documents do double duty: a passport proves both identity and citizenship, and a bank statement can show both your name and address. The key is that you cannot use the same document twice — if your birth certificate proves identity, you need a separate document to prove your address.

Your state's DMV website lists the exact documents it accepts, because some states are stricter than others about what counts as proof of residency. Before you go to the DMV, check that list and gather everything you need. Showing up without the right documents means a wasted trip.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring an original or certified copy of a document proving your identity, such as a birth certificate, passport, or state ID.
  • You need proof of your Social Security number, which can be your Social Security card, W-2 form, tax return, or 1099 form.
  • You must show proof of your current address using a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.
  • You cannot use the same document to prove two different things — identity, SSN, and address each require a separate document.
  • Your state DMV website lists which specific documents it accepts, because requirements vary by state.

Documents that prove your identity

An original or certified birth certificate is the most common identity document. It must be a certified copy from the vital records office in the state or country where you were born, not a photocopy you made yourself. If you do not have your birth certificate, you can order one from your state's vital records office, though it takes one to three weeks.

A U.S. passport or passport card works as identity and also proves citizenship, so it covers two requirements at once. A passport does not need to be current — an expired passport still proves who you are. If you have a passport, bring it; it simplifies the process.

Other documents that some states accept for identity include a current or recently expired state ID or driver's license from another state, a military ID, a tribal ID, a permanent resident card (green card), or a foreign passport with a visa. Check your state's list to see which of these it takes. A few states also accept a school ID or employee ID, but most do not.

Documents that prove your Social Security number

Your Social Security card is the simplest proof. Bring the original card itself — a photocopy does not work. If you have lost your card, you can order a replacement from the Social Security Administration, though it takes about two weeks.

If you do not have your card, a W-2 form, 1099 form, or tax return from the past year shows your SSN and counts as proof. These must be originals or certified copies. A paystub also works in most states, as long as it shows your full Social Security number and is recent enough to be recognizable as current.

Some states also accept a Social Security Administration letter or a Medicare or Medicaid card as proof of your SSN. A few states will accept a bank statement or insurance policy if your SSN appears on it. Again, check your state's list — what works in one state may not work in another.

Documents that prove your current address

A utility bill — electric, gas, water, phone, or internet — is the most straightforward proof of address. It must show your name and current address and be dated within the last 60 days. A bill from six months ago does not work. If you live with someone else and the bill is in their name, most states will not accept it.

A lease or rental agreement works if it is signed and shows your name and current address. A mortgage statement or property tax bill also works. These do not have to be dated within 60 days the way a utility bill does, but they must be current enough that they clearly reflect where you live now.

Other documents that many states accept include a bank or credit card statement dated within 60 days, an insurance policy (auto, home, or renters), a government check or benefits statement (Social Security, unemployment, or welfare), or a lease or loan document from a financial institution. A few states accept a voter registration card or a letter from a government agency addressed to you at your current address.

If you have recently moved and do not yet have a utility bill or lease in your name at your new address, bring a signed lease or a letter from your landlord on letterhead stating your move-in date and address. Some states also accept a notarized statement from someone who lives with you confirming your address.

What happens if a document is expired or missing

An expired birth certificate or passport still works for identity — the document itself does not expire. However, a utility bill or bank statement that is more than 60 days old does not count as proof of address, even if it is otherwise valid.

If you cannot find a required document, you have options. If you do not have your birth certificate, order a certified copy from your state's vital records office before your DMV appointment. If you do not have your Social Security card, order a replacement from the Social Security Administration. If you do not have a recent utility bill in your name, bring a lease, mortgage statement, or a notarized letter from your landlord instead.

Some states allow you to bring a combination of documents if one is missing. For example, if you do not have a utility bill, you might bring a bank statement plus an insurance policy, both showing your address. Call your state DMV ahead of time if you are unsure whether your documents will work.

Bringing documents from outside the United States

If you were born outside the U.S., your birth certificate must be an official certified copy from the vital records office in the country where you were born. A photocopy or an unofficial translation does not work. If the certificate is in another language, bring the original plus an English translation certified by an official translator.

A foreign passport works as proof of identity in most states, as long as it is valid or only recently expired. A permanent resident card (green card) also works and proves both identity and immigration status. If you have a visa in your passport, the passport and visa together count as identity.

For proof of address, the same rules explore whether you were born in the U.S. or abroad. A utility bill, lease, or bank statement in your name at your current U.S. address works the same way. If you are new to the country and do not yet have a utility bill in your name, a notarized letter from your landlord or a lease signed by both you and the landlord will work.

Bringing documents if your name has changed

If your name on one document does not match your name on another, bring proof of the name change. A marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the name change works. If you changed your name through a court process, bring the court order. If you changed your name when you married or divorced, bring the marriage certificate or divorce decree.

Your documents do not all have to show the same name, as long as you can show how the names connect. For example, you might bring a birth certificate under your maiden name, a marriage certificate, and a current utility bill under your married name. The DMV will see the chain and understand that all three documents are yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photocopy or scanned copy of my documents?

No. You must bring originals or certified copies. A photocopy you made yourself, a scan, or a photo on your phone does not work. Certified copies come from the issuing agency — for a birth certificate, that is your state's vital records office; for a Social Security card, that is the Social Security Administration.

What if my utility bill is in my roommate's name?

Most states will not accept it because it does not show your name. Bring a different document that shows both your name and your address, such as a lease in your name, a bank statement, or an insurance policy. If you cannot get one, ask your roommate for a notarized letter confirming you live there.

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

You must bring the original card. A photocopy does not work. If you have lost your card, order a replacement from the Social Security Administration before your DMV appointment, or bring a W-2, tax return, or paystub showing your SSN instead.

Can I use an expired passport as proof of identity?

Yes. An expired passport still proves who you are and where you were born. It does not need to be current. If you have a passport, bring it — it satisfies both the identity and citizenship requirements.

What if I was born in another country and do not have a certified copy of my birth certificate?

Contact the vital records office in the country where you were born and request a certified copy. This can take several weeks. In the meantime, a foreign passport or permanent resident card (green card) works as proof of identity instead.