What Documents You Need to Get a Real ID

The Documents You Must Bring to the DMV

You need four categories of documents to get a Real ID: proof of identity, proof of citizenship or legal residency, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. The DMV will not issue a Real ID without all four, and they must be originals or certified copies — photocopies do not work. Each state's DMV accepts slightly different documents within these categories, so you should check your state's specific list before you go.

Bringing the wrong documents wastes a trip. Many people show up with expired documents, documents that do not match their current name, or documents that do not prove what the DMV needs them to prove. The sections below show you exactly what counts in each category and what common mistakes to avoid.

Key Takeaways

You must bring originals or certified copies of documents proving identity, citizenship, Social Security number, and current address — photocopies are rejected.
Your identity document must be government-issued and current or expired less than five years; a passport, passport card, or state ID all work, but a school ID does not.
Proof of citizenship requires a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers; a driver's license alone does not prove citizenship even if you were born in the U.S.
Your Social Security proof can be a Social Security card, W-2, tax return, or 1099 — the DMV does not need to see your actual card if you have other documents.
Address proof must be current (usually within 90 days) and can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement; a mail piece with your name and address works.

Proof of Identity: What the DMV Accepts

Your identity document must be government-issued and show your photograph and date of birth. A current U.S. passport, passport card, or valid state driver's license all work. If your document is expired, it can be no more than five years past expiration — some states allow up to seven years. A military ID, tribal ID, or permanent resident card (green card) also counts. School IDs, work IDs, and library cards do not count, even if they have your photo.

If your name has changed since your identity document was issued — through marriage, divorce, or legal name change — you must bring proof of that change along with your identity document. A marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order for name change will do. Without it, the DMV will not issue a Real ID in your new name, because the name on your identity document must match the name on your Real ID.

If you do not have a current government-issued photo ID, you will need to bring two documents that together prove your identity: for example, a birth certificate plus a high school diploma, or a Social Security card plus a bank statement with your name. Check your state's DMV website for the exact combinations they accept, because this varies.

Proof of Citizenship or Legal Residency

You must prove you are a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. A U.S. birth certificate (long-form, with your parents' names) is the most common document. It must be an original or a certified copy from the vital records office in the state or territory where you were born — a photocopy or a hospital-issued copy will not work. If you were born outside the U.S., a U.S. passport or passport card proves citizenship. A Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship also works.

If you are a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), your green card itself proves your status. If you are in the process of becoming a permanent resident and have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or Advance Parole document, some states accept these; check your state's list first. A driver's license or state ID does not prove citizenship on its own, even if you were born in the U.S., because the DMV needs to see the original citizenship document.

If you were born in a U.S. territory (Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or Northern Mariana Islands), you are a U.S. citizen. Bring your birth certificate from that territory, which counts as proof of citizenship for Real ID purposes.

Proof of Your Social Security Number

You do not have to bring your Social Security card itself. The DMV accepts any document that shows your full Social Security number: a W-2 form, a 1099 form, a tax return, a Social Security statement, or a benefit letter from Social Security. If you do bring your card, it must be an original. A photocopy of your card is not accepted.

If you have never had a Social Security number, you will need to explore for one before you can get a Real ID. You cannot get a Real ID without one. Contact the Social Security Administration to explore; you will need to bring proof of identity, age, and citizenship or legal residency to a local Social Security office.

If your Social Security number is not yet showing up in the DMV system (which can happen if you recently applied), bring a document that shows your number. The DMV will record it and verify it with Social Security after you leave. Do not assume the DMV can look it up on its own.

Proof of Your Current Address

Your address document must show your name and current address and be dated within the last 90 days (some states allow up to 120 days). A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement all work. A government-issued mail piece — such as a tax bill, voter registration card, or benefit statement — also counts. A piece of mail from your insurance company, phone company, or internet provider works if it shows your name and address.

If you recently moved and do not have a document dated after your move, bring two documents: one showing your old address and one showing your new address. Some states will accept a lease or purchase agreement dated after your move, even if the utility bills have not caught up yet. A signed lease is particularly useful because it shows both your name and your new address.

A credit card statement, cell phone bill, or mail from a retailer does not count as address proof in most states. Check your state's DMV website for the exact list, because some states are more flexible than others. If you live with someone else and do not have mail in your name, ask the person whose name is on the bill to bring it with you and sign a statement saying you live there.

What Happens If Your Documents Do Not Match

If your name on one document does not match your name on another, the DMV will ask you to explain. If you changed your name legally, bring the court order or marriage certificate. If a document has a typo or nickname, bring both the document and a corrected version or an explanation. The DMV will not issue a Real ID until all your documents tell the same story about who you are.

If your address on your identity document does not match your current address, that is normal — you do not need to update your ID first. Bring your current address proof (the utility bill or lease) along with your identity document, and the DMV will issue the Real ID with your current address. You do not need to change your old ID before explore for Real ID.

Documents You Should Not Bring

Do not bring photocopies, faxes, or digital images of your documents. The DMV must see originals or certified copies. Do not bring expired documents unless they fall within the acceptable window (usually five years for identity documents). Do not bring documents that are not in English unless your state's DMV specifically says it accepts them; if your document is in another language, bring a certified English translation along with the original.

Do not assume the DMV can look up your information. Bring the actual documents. Do not bring documents that show a different name than the one you want on your Real ID without also bringing proof of the name change. Do not bring a document that is damaged, water-stained, or so faded that the information is hard to read — the DMV may reject it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a passport card instead of a birth certificate?

Yes. A passport card is a government-issued photo ID that proves both identity and citizenship, so it counts for both requirements. You would still need to bring proof of your Social Security number and current address.

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

Bring your U.S. passport, passport card, or Certificate of Naturalization. If you have a green card and are not yet a citizen, bring the green card itself. A birth certificate from another country does not prove U.S. citizenship.

Do I need to bring my actual Social Security card?

No. A W-2, tax return, 1099, or Social Security statement all work. If you do bring your card, it must be an original — a copy is not accepted.

What if I do not have a utility bill in my name?

A lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail piece with your name and address works. If none of those are available, bring two documents showing your address and ask the person whose name is on the bill to come with you and sign a statement confirming you live there.

How old can my birth certificate be?

There is no age limit on a birth certificate as long as it is an original or certified copy from the vital records office. It does not expire. Make sure it is the long-form version with your parents' names, not the short-form abstract.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.