The Documents You'll Need

To get a Real ID, you need to bring proof of four things: who you are, where you live, your Social Security number, and your lawful status in the United States. Your state's DMV will tell you exactly which documents count, but the categories are the same everywhere. You cannot get a Real ID with just one document — you need at least one from each category, and some states require more.

The documents themselves are ordinary. You probably have most of them already. The catch is that they have to be originals or certified copies — photocopies do not work — and they have to match each other. If your name is different on two documents, you will need to bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the legal name change.

Key Takeaways

  • You need original or certified documents in four categories: identity, address, Social Security number, and lawful status.
  • A passport or passport card counts as identity proof and lawful status at the same time, so it can reduce the number of documents you need to bring.
  • Your address must match across documents, or you must bring a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days.
  • If your name differs on any two documents, bring the legal document that explains the change — marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
  • Bring originals; photocopies, faxes, and digital photos are not accepted.

Proof of Identity

For identity, the DMV accepts a passport, passport card, military ID, or a state ID or driver's license from another state. If you do not have any of those, you can use a certified birth certificate, a tribal ID, or a school or work ID with your photo on it. Some states also accept a firearms permit or a professional license.

The document has to show your full legal name and either your date of birth or your photo. If it shows only your name and nothing else, it will not work. A passport or passport card is the strongest choice because it proves both your identity and your lawful status in one document, which means you need fewer other papers.

Proof of Address

Your address proof has to show your current home address — the one you are listing on your Real ID process. A utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or property tax bill all work. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. If you have just moved and your new address is not on any bill yet, ask your utility company for a letter confirming your new address, or bring a signed lease with the move-in date.

If your name on the address document does not match your name on your identity document, you will need to explain the difference with a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DMV will not accept a document with a name that does not match your legal name on file.

Proof of Social Security Number

You can show your Social Security number with your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, a tax return, or a pay stub. The document must show your full name and your complete nine-digit number. If you do not have a Social Security number, you cannot get a Real ID — you would need to get a standard state ID instead.

If you have lost your Social Security card, you can order a replacement from the Social Security Administration before you go to the DMV, or you can bring a recent tax return or pay stub instead. The DMV does not issue Social Security cards, so you cannot get one there.

Proof of Lawful Status

Lawful status means you are a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident, or you have a visa or work permit that is still valid. A U.S. passport, passport card, or birth certificate shows citizenship. A green card shows lawful permanent resident status. A valid visa, employment authorization document (EAD), or temporary protected status (TPS) document shows lawful status for the time the document is valid.

If you were born outside the United States, your birth certificate must be a certified copy from the vital records office in the country or state where you were born — not a hospital birth certificate. If you have a passport, bring that instead; it is simpler and proves both identity and lawful status at once.

What Happens If Your Documents Do Not Match

If your name is spelled differently on two documents, or if you have changed your name since one document was issued, bring the legal proof of the change. A marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order for a name change all work. The DMV will use these to confirm that you are the same person across all your documents.

If your address on one document is old and does not match your current address, bring a recent utility bill or lease showing your new address. The DMV needs to know where you actually live now, not where you lived when an old document was issued. If you have moved very recently and have no bill yet, a signed lease with the move-in date will do.

Documents You Cannot Use

Photocopies, faxes, and digital photos of documents are not accepted. You must bring originals or certified copies. A certified copy is a document stamped and signed by the issuing office — for example, a certified birth certificate from the vital records office, not a photocopy you made yourself.

Expired documents can sometimes work for identity and address, but not for lawful status. If your passport expired, you can still use it to show identity, but you will need a current document to prove lawful status. Ask your DMV what counts as current for the specific document you have.

How to Prepare Before You Go

Make a list of the four categories — identity, address, Social Security, and lawful status — and write down which document you plan to bring for each one. Check that your name and address match across all of them. If they do not, gather the legal documents that explain the differences. Call your state DMV or check its website to confirm which specific documents it accepts, because some states have slightly different rules.

Bring originals, not copies. If you do not have an original, order a certified copy from the issuing office before your appointment. Certified copies usually take one to two weeks, so plan ahead. Bring more documents than you think you need — if one is rejected for any reason, you will have a backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a digital photo of my documents instead of bringing the originals?

No. The DMV must see and inspect the original documents or certified copies. Digital photos, photocopies, and faxes are not accepted. If you do not have the original, contact the issuing office and request a certified copy.

What if my name on my birth certificate is different from my current legal name?

Bring the birth certificate and the legal document that changed your name — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DMV will use these together to confirm your identity and update your records.

Do I need a passport to get a Real ID?

No. A passport makes the process simpler because it proves both identity and lawful status in one document, but you can use other documents from each category instead. You will just need to bring more papers.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You cannot get a Real ID without a Social Security number. You can get a standard state ID or driver's license instead, which does not require Real ID compliance. Contact your DMV to learn about standard ID options.

How recent does my address proof have to be?

Your address document must be dated within the last 60 days. If you have just moved and do not have a bill yet, a signed lease with the move-in date or a letter from your utility company confirming your new address will work.