The documents you need depend on your state and whether you are getting your first license or renewing

Every state requires proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof that you are a U.S. citizen or lawful resident. Beyond that, the exact documents vary. Some states accept a passport as both identity and citizenship proof. Others require a birth certificate, a separate ID, and a utility bill. A few states have different rules for people under 18 than for adults. The fastest way to know what your state wants is to visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website and look for the "documents needed" or "what to bring" page — it will list the exact items and which ones you can substitute for others.

Bring originals or certified copies, not photocopies. Many states will not accept a photocopy of a birth certificate unless it has a raised seal or is marked "certified." If you are unsure whether your copy is certified, call the vital records office in the county where you were born — they can tell you in one call and mail you a certified copy for a small fee, usually under $20.

Key Takeaways

  • You will need proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, or state ID), proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and proof of citizenship or lawful residency for any driver's license.
  • Your state's DMV website lists the exact documents it accepts and which ones can substitute for others, so check there before you go to the office.
  • Bring original documents or certified copies with a raised seal — photocopies are usually rejected.
  • If your birth certificate is not certified, contact the vital records office in the county where you were born to request a certified copy.
  • Minors often need parental consent forms and sometimes different documents than adults, so check your state's rules for your age group.

Proof of identity documents that most states accept

A U.S. passport is the easiest single document because it proves both identity and citizenship. If you have one, bring it. If you do not, you will need a birth certificate (original or certified copy with a raised seal) plus a separate photo ID. A state ID card, school ID, military ID, or tribal ID all work as the photo ID in most states.

Some states also accept a driver's license from another state, a passport card, or a permanent resident card (green card) as identity proof. A few accept a consular ID from your country of origin if you are not yet a citizen. Check your state's list before you assume your document will work — what one state accepts, another may not.

Do not bring expired documents unless your state specifically says it will accept them. Most states reject an expired passport or expired ID card, even if the person in the photo is clearly you.

Proof of residency: what documents show you live where you say you do

You need something that shows your current address. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet) in your name dated within the last 60 days is the most common choice. A lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, or a property tax bill also work in most states. Some states accept mail from a government agency addressed to you at your address.

The document must be recent — usually within the last two to three months — and it must be in your name. A utility bill addressed to "Occupant" or a lease in someone else's name will not work. If you live with family or a roommate and the bill is in their name, ask them to bring a notarized letter saying you live there, or check whether your state accepts an affidavit of residency (a signed statement you make under oath). Some DMV offices will let you sign an affidavit instead of bringing a bill if you have a good reason.

If you have just moved and do not yet have a bill in your new name, bring a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage document, or a letter from your landlord on letterhead stating your move-in date. Some states also accept a utility company letter showing your account was opened on a specific date.

Proof of citizenship or lawful residency

A U.S. passport or passport card proves citizenship and is accepted everywhere. A birth certificate (original or certified copy) also proves citizenship if you were born in the United States, a U.S. territory, or to U.S. citizen parents abroad. A Certificate of Naturalization or a Certificate of U.S. Citizenship serves the same purpose if you became a citizen through naturalization or derivation.

If you are not a U.S. citizen but are a lawful resident, bring your permanent resident card (green card), an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), a visa, or an I-94 arrival/departure record. Some states also accept a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) document or a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) approval notice. The documents you can use vary by state, so check your state's DMV website to see which ones it recognizes.

If you are explore for a license as a non-citizen, some states require an additional document showing your state tax ID number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). A few states have separate license categories for non-citizens or restrict the uses of a license held by someone without citizenship status. Your state's DMV website will explain these rules.

Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number

Most states require your Social Security number (SSN) to issue a driver's license. If you do not have an SSN, you can request one from the Social Security Administration — the process takes about two weeks. Bring your birth certificate, passport, or visa, plus proof of residency, to your local Social Security office.

If you are not may be able to access for an SSN, some states will accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. An ITIN is issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to people who file taxes but do not have an SSN. You request one by filing a tax return with Form W-7. If you have an ITIN, bring the letter the IRS sent you when they issued it, or bring a copy of a tax return showing your ITIN.

A few states now issue driver's licenses without requiring an SSN or ITIN, though this is still uncommon. Check your state's rules to see whether you can proceed without one.

Documents for minors and parental consent

If you are under 18, you will need all the documents listed above, plus a parental consent form signed by at least one parent or legal guardian. Some states require both parents to sign unless one parent has sole custody. The DMV provides the form — you can read it from the website or pick one up at the office. Have the parent or guardian sign it in front of you, not in advance, because some states require the signature to be witnessed by a DMV employee.

A few states also require the parent or guardian to be present in person at the DMV appointment. Check your state's rules before you schedule. If you are in foster care or have been emancipated by a court, bring the court order or foster care documentation instead of parental consent.

Some states have a graduated licensing system with different document requirements at different ages. For example, a 16-year-old might need a parent present and a completed driver education course, while a 17-year-old might not. Your state's DMV website will break this down by age.

What to do if you do not have all the documents

If you are missing a document, call your state's DMV before you go to the office. Many DMVs have a phone line or online chat where you can ask whether you can substitute one document for another or whether you can bring something different. Some offices will let you come in with what you have and sign an affidavit explaining why you cannot produce a specific document — the DMV employee can then decide whether to accept it.

If you do not have a birth certificate, contact the vital records office in the county or state where you were born. You can usually request a certified copy online or by mail. The fee is typically $10 to $30, and it takes one to three weeks. If you were born outside the United States, contact the vital records office in that country or the U.S. State Department for a copy of your birth abroad record.

If you do not have proof of residency because you are homeless or living in a shelter, some states will accept a letter from the shelter on letterhead, a letter from a social services agency, or a statement from someone who can vouch for your address. Ask the DMV what it will accept in your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photocopy of my birth certificate?

Most states reject photocopies. You need an original or a certified copy with a raised seal from the vital records office. If your copy does not have a seal, contact the office where you were born and request a certified copy — it usually costs under $20 and takes one to three weeks.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You can request one from the Social Security Administration by bringing your birth certificate, passport, or visa plus proof of residency to a local Social Security office. It takes about two weeks. Some states also accept an ITIN from the IRS if you file taxes. A few states now issue licenses without requiring either one — check your state's rules.

Do I need to bring originals or can I bring copies?

Bring originals or certified copies. Photocopies are almost always rejected. If a document has a raised seal (like a certified birth certificate), that seal proves it is official. Without the seal, the DMV will not accept it.

What if my name on my documents does not match?

If your name differs across documents — for example, your birth certificate says "Mary Jane Smith" but your passport says "Mary J. Smith" — bring all the documents showing the different versions. The DMV will compare them and decide whether the difference is minor enough to overlook. If you changed your name legally, bring the court order.

Can I use a lease if the bill is in my roommate's name?

A lease in your name works as proof of residency. If the lease is in your roommate's name, ask them to sign a notarized letter saying you live there, or ask the DMV whether you can sign an affidavit of residency instead. Some offices accept affidavits when you have a good reason not to have a bill in your own name.