What documents the TSA and your state will accept

Real ID requires you to prove your identity, citizenship, and current address when you explore. The documents that work are set by the federal government, but your state's DMV decides which ones they will actually take. This means a document that works in one state may not work in another — even though the federal rules are the same.

The safest approach is to check your state's DMV website before you go in, because they publish their own accepted list. That said, a few documents work almost everywhere: a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a state ID, and a Social Security card. Bring more than one form of ID if you can, because the DMV staff can usually waive a missing document if you have something else that proves the same thing.

Key Takeaways

  • Federal law sets which documents count for Real ID, but your state DMV decides which ones they will accept, so you must check your state's list before you explore.
  • A U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, state ID, and Social Security card work in nearly every state and are the safest documents to bring.
  • Documents proving your current address — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement — must show your name and address and be dated within the last 60 days.
  • If a document is missing or damaged, bring a second document that proves the same thing; DMV staff often waive requirements when you have a backup.
  • Documents issued outside the U.S. must be accompanied by an official English translation, and some states require the translation to be certified by a notary.

Documents that prove your identity

You need one document that shows your full legal name, date of birth, and a photo. A U.S. passport is the strongest choice because it proves citizenship at the same time. A valid state driver's license or ID card also works, though some states will not accept an expired one — check your state's rules.

If you do not have a photo ID, a certified copy of your birth certificate (the long form with the state seal, not a hospital record) counts as proof of identity in most states. A few states also accept a passport card, a military ID, a tribal ID, or a permanent resident card (green card). Some DMVs will take a school ID or employee ID if it has a photo and your full name, but this varies widely — call ahead if this is your only option.

Documents issued outside the U.S. — a foreign passport, a foreign birth certificate, or a foreign national ID — are usually accepted, but you must bring an official English translation. Some states require the translation to be certified by a notary public; others do not. Your state DMV website will tell you which.

Documents that prove your citizenship

You must show that you are a U.S. citizen. A U.S. passport is the easiest proof because it covers both identity and citizenship in one document. If you do not have a passport, a certified birth certificate issued by a U.S. state, territory, or tribal government works in all states.

Other documents that prove citizenship include a Certificate of Naturalization, a Certificate of U.S. Citizenship, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. If you were born outside the U.S. to a U.S. citizen parent, you may have a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) or a Certificate of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350) — either one works. Military discharge papers (a DD Form 214) also prove citizenship in most states.

If you were born in a U.S. territory — Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands — a birth certificate from that territory counts as proof of U.S. citizenship. Bring the original or a certified copy; photocopies are not accepted.

Documents that prove your current address

You need one document showing your name and your current street address. It must be dated within the last 60 days. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, internet, or phone) is the most common choice and works in every state. A lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, or a bank or credit card statement also work.

The document must show your full name and your complete street address — a P.O. box does not count. If you recently moved and the document shows an old address, bring a second document with your new address. Some states will accept a letter from your landlord or a notarized statement from a family member if you do not have a utility bill or lease.

If you live with someone else and the bill is in their name, ask them to bring the bill and sign a statement saying you live there. Some DMVs will accept this; others will not. Call your local DMV first to ask what they need.

Documents you cannot use or should not bring

Do not bring a photocopy, a fax, or a photo of a document unless your state DMV specifically says it is acceptable. The DMV needs to see the original or a certified copy. A certified copy is a photocopy that has been stamped and signed by the government office that issued the original — your county clerk or vital records office can provide one.

Documents that do not work include a Social Security card by itself (it does not have a photo or date of birth), a school ID without a photo, a library card, a credit card, or a letter from an employer. A birth certificate that is not certified — for example, a hospital record or a photocopy you made yourself — will not work.

Expired documents sometimes work and sometimes do not, depending on your state and the type of document. A passport that expired more than five years ago usually will not work. An expired state ID may work if it is not too old. Check your state's rules before you go.

What to bring if you have a name change

If your legal name has changed since your birth certificate was issued — through marriage, divorce, court order, or any other reason — bring both your old birth certificate and a document proving the change. A marriage certificate, a divorce decree, or a court order all work. The document must be an original or a certified copy.

If you changed your name through marriage and your state issued you a marriage certificate, bring that. If you changed your name through divorce, bring the final divorce decree or a certified copy. If you changed your name by court order, bring the court order itself. Your DMV will use these to confirm that you are the same person named on your birth certificate.

How to get certified copies if you are missing documents

If you do not have an original document, you can order a certified copy from the government office that issued it. For a birth certificate, contact your state's vital records office — the website is usually under your state health department. For a marriage certificate or divorce decree, contact the county clerk in the county where the event happened. For a court order, contact the court that issued it.

Certified copies usually cost between $10 and $30 and take one to three weeks by mail. Many states now offer rush processing or online ordering. Some vital records offices let you order in person and pick up the same day. Call or visit the website before you go, because hours and services vary.

If you need a document urgently, ask the DMV whether they will accept a letter from the government office saying the document is on the way. Some will; most will not. It is better to wait for the certified copy than to make a trip to the DMV and be turned away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a passport card instead of a full passport?

A passport card works for proving identity and citizenship in most states, but check your state's DMV website first. The passport card is smaller and does not work for international air travel, but it has the same legal weight as a full passport for Real ID purposes.

What if my birth certificate does not say "certified copy" on it?

If it does not have an official seal or stamp from the vital records office, it is not a certified copy and the DMV will not accept it. You must order a certified copy from your state's vital records office. A photocopy or a hospital birth record will not work, even if it looks official.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card?

Your state DMV will ask for your Social Security number, but you do not have to bring the card itself. You can write the number on your process. However, if you bring the card, it proves your number matches your name, so it can speed up the process.

Can I use a lease if my name is not on it?

No. The lease must show your name and your current address. If you live with someone else and the lease is in their name, ask the DMV what documents they will accept instead — usually a utility bill in your name or a notarized statement from the leaseholder.

What if I was born outside the U.S. but I am a citizen?

Bring a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Certificate of U.S. Citizenship, or a Certificate of Naturalization. If you have a U.S. passport, that is the easiest proof. If your documents are in another language, bring an official English translation certified by a notary or translator, depending on what your state requires.