The Documents You Must Bring

Real ID requires you to prove three things: your identity, your Social Security number, and your current address. You cannot use a single document for all three — the DMV will ask for documents from different categories. The exact documents accepted vary slightly by state, but the categories are the same everywhere.

You will need to bring originals or certified copies, not photocopies. The DMV staff will examine them in person and may keep some documents on file. Bring more documents than you think you need — if one is rejected, you will have a backup rather than having to return home and come back another day.

Key Takeaways

  • Real ID requires one document proving identity, one proving your Social Security number, and one proving your current address — they cannot all be the same document.
  • A passport, passport card, or certified birth certificate counts as your identity document; a Social Security card or tax return counts as your SSN document; and a utility bill or lease counts as your address document.
  • You must bring originals or certified copies — photocopies and digital images are not accepted.
  • Some documents like marriage certificates or divorce decrees are required only if your name has changed since your last license.
  • Your state DMV website lists the specific documents it accepts, because some states add or remove options based on their own rules.

Identity Documents That Work

The DMV will accept a U.S. passport or passport card as proof of identity. If you have either one, bring it — it satisfies the identity requirement on its own. You do not need anything else to prove who you are.

If you do not have a passport, bring a certified birth certificate issued by the state or county where you were born. The certificate must be an official copy with a raised seal or embossed stamp, not a photocopy or a document printed from an online vital records portal. Some states will accept a certified copy ordered through their vital records office and printed at home if it includes the official seal; check your state DMV's website to be sure.

Other identity documents that some states accept include a consular report of birth abroad, a certificate of naturalization, or a permanent resident card (green card). A few states also accept a tribal ID card issued by a federally recognized tribe. Your state DMV website will list which of these it takes.

A driver's license from another state, a passport from another country, or a school ID will not work. Neither will a birth certificate that is not certified.

Social Security Number Documents

You must bring a document that shows your Social Security number. The simplest option is your Social Security card itself — bring the original. If you have lost it or never received one, you will need a different document.

The DMV will also accept a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or any other tax return that shows your full Social Security number. These can be from any recent year. If you are self-employed or have not filed taxes, a 1040-ES (estimated tax payment form) works as well.

Some states accept a benefit statement from the Social Security Administration, which you can order online at ssa.gov. A few states also accept a W-2P (pension distribution form) or a 1098-T (education credit form). Check your state DMV website for the full list.

Do not bring a Social Security statement that you printed from an online account — it must be an official document mailed to you or issued by the SSA. A paystub showing your Social Security number usually does not work, though a few states make exceptions; call your DMV to ask before you rely on it.

Address Documents You Can Use

You need one document showing your current home address. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet) is the most common choice. It must show your name and address and be dated within the last 60 days. Bring the original or a printed copy from your online account.

Other documents that work include a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, or a homeowner's insurance policy. These do not have to be recent — a mortgage statement from several months ago is fine. A bank or credit card statement showing your address also works in most states, as long as it is dated within the last 60 days.

Some states accept a government benefit statement (such as unemployment or SNAP paperwork) if it shows your address. A few also accept a vehicle registration or insurance card if the address matches your current home. Your state DMV website will specify which documents it takes.

A cell phone bill, a piece of mail with your name and address, or a printed document from an online account usually does not work. Neither does a document showing a P.O. box instead of a street address.

Name Change Documents

If your name has changed since your last driver's license was issued, you must bring proof of the change. This applies whether you changed your name through marriage, divorce, court order, or any other legal process.

For a marriage, bring your marriage certificate — the original or a certified copy. For a divorce, bring your divorce decree or final judgment showing your new name. For a court-ordered name change, bring the court order itself.

These documents must be originals or certified copies with an official seal. A photocopy or a document printed from a court website will not work. If you have not yet received your official copy, contact the court clerk or vital records office and ask how long it takes — you may need to schedule your DMV appointment after the document arrives.

What Happens If a Document Is Rejected

If the DMV staff says a document does not meet their requirements, ask what the specific problem is. Sometimes a document is outdated, missing a required seal, or shows information that does not match your other documents. If the issue is fixable — for example, your address document is too old — you can go home, get a newer one, and come back.

If the document itself is invalid (for example, a birth certificate that is not certified), you will need to order a replacement from the vital records office in the state or county where you were born. This usually takes one to two weeks. Some vital records offices let you order online and print the document at home when ready; others mail it to you. Check the office's website before you visit the DMV.

If you cannot find or obtain a required document, ask the DMV staff whether your state has an alternative process. Some states will accept a notarized affidavit (a sworn statement) in place of a missing document, though this is uncommon and usually requires you to explain why the document is unavailable.

Documents You Do Not Need

You do not need to bring your current driver's license or ID card, though it does not hurt to have it. You do not need a passport photo — the DMV will take one when you are there. You do not need proof of citizenship unless your state specifically requires it for Real ID (most do not).

You do not need to bring documents proving your Social Security number if you can provide it verbally and the DMV can verify it through the Social Security Administration. However, this is rare and depends on your state's rules — it is safer to bring a document.

You do not need documents proving your name if your name has not changed. You do not need to bring multiple documents from the same category (for example, two utility bills) unless one is rejected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a digital image or photocopy instead of the original document?

No. The DMV requires originals or certified copies. A photocopy, a screenshot, or a document printed from an online account will be rejected. The only exception is that some states allow you to print a certified birth certificate at home if you ordered it online from the vital records office and it includes the official seal — check your state DMV website first.

What if my address on my documents does not match my current address?

Your address document must show your current home address. If your utility bill or lease shows an old address, bring a newer one. If all your documents show an old address, you may need to update one document first — for example, by calling your bank to request a new statement mailed to your current address — before you go to the DMV.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card if I have a tax return?

No. A tax return showing your Social Security number works just as well as the card itself. Bring whichever document you have. If you have both, bringing the card is simpler because the DMV will not need to handle a tax document.

What if I was born outside the United States?

If you were born outside the U.S., bring a consular report of birth abroad, a certificate of naturalization, or a permanent resident card instead of a birth certificate. If you are a U.S. citizen, you should have one of these documents. If you do not, contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the State Department to request it before you go to the DMV.

Can I use a lease if I am renting a room in someone else's house?

Yes, if the lease or rental agreement shows your name and the street address of the house. A handwritten agreement signed by the landlord works. If you do not have a lease, ask your landlord for a signed letter on their letterhead confirming that you live there and stating the address — some states accept this as proof of address.