The Documents You'll Need at the DMV

To get a Real ID, bring one document proving your identity, one proving your Social Security number, one proving your address, and one proving citizenship or lawful status. The DMV will not accept expired documents for identity or citizenship proof, though an expired utility bill works fine for address. You do not need to bring originals of everything — copies of Social Security cards, birth certificates, and naturalization papers are acceptable. The one thing you must bring in person is a valid passport or passport card if you're using that as your citizenship document, because the DMV needs to see the security features.

Bring your current driver's license or state ID card, even if it's not a Real ID. The DMV staff will check it against their records to confirm your identity matches what you've told them before. If you've never had a state ID, bring a second identity document — a passport, military ID, or employee badge with a photo all work. Do not assume your old documents are still good: a birth certificate from 1985 is fine, but a passport that expired in 2015 is not.

Key Takeaways

  • You need four separate documents: one for identity (passport, military ID, or current driver's license), one for your Social Security number (card, W-2, or tax return), one for your address (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement), and one for citizenship (birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers).
  • The DMV will not accept expired documents for proving identity or citizenship, but an expired utility bill or lease counts for address proof.
  • Copies are acceptable for most documents, but you must bring an original passport or passport card in person if you're using it to prove citizenship.
  • Bring your current driver's license or state ID even if it's not a Real ID, because the DMV uses it to verify your identity against existing records.
  • Original birth certificates, Social Security cards, and naturalization papers do not need to be brought — photocopies work, and the DMV will return them to you.

What Counts as Proof of Identity

A valid passport or passport card is the strongest identity document because it has a photo, security features, and an issue date. A current, unexpired driver's license or state ID from any state works. A military ID, including a dependent ID, counts. An employee badge with your photo and signature is acceptable if it was issued by a government agency or a large employer. A tribal ID card issued by a federally recognized tribe also works.

If you do not have any of these, the DMV will accept a combination of two documents from a secondary list: a school ID with a photo, a passport card, a certified birth certificate, a Social Security card, or a document showing your name and date of birth issued by a government agency. This secondary route takes longer because the DMV has to verify more information, so bring everything you have. Do not bring a photocopy of your passport or military ID — the DMV must see the original to check the security features.

What Counts as Proof of Your Social Security Number

Your Social Security card is the easiest proof. A W-2 form, 1099 form, or tax return showing your full Social Security number also works. A paystub with your full number printed on it is acceptable. If you have none of these, a letter from the Social Security Administration confirming your number counts, though you'll need to request one from the SSA first — this takes about two weeks.

The DMV does not accept a photocopy of your Social Security card for this purpose — they need to see the original or a document like a tax return that shows the number. If you've lost your card, order a replacement from the Social Security Administration before your DMV appointment. If you do not have a Social Security number, you cannot get a Real ID; you can get a standard state ID instead, which does not require one.

What Counts as Proof of Your Address

A current utility bill in your name works — electric, gas, water, internet, or phone. A lease or rental agreement with your name and current address counts, even if it's a photocopy. A mortgage statement or property tax bill is acceptable. A bank or credit card statement dated within the last 60 days works. A government document with your address — a tax return, W-2, or letter from a government agency — counts.

The document does not have to be current if it shows your address. An expired utility bill from six months ago is fine. A lease that ended last month is fine. The DMV is checking that you actually live where you say you do, not that you have a current bill. If you've recently moved and do not have a document yet in your new name and address, bring a lease or rental agreement signed by both you and your landlord. If you live with family and are not on any bills, a notarized letter from the person whose name is on the bill, stating that you live there, works in most states — check your state DMV website to confirm.

What Counts as Proof of Citizenship or Lawful Status

A birth certificate issued by a state vital records office is the most common proof. It must be an official certified copy, not a photocopy you made yourself. A U.S. passport or passport card counts. A certificate of naturalization, if you were born outside the U.S., is acceptable. A permanent resident card (green card) proves lawful status. A state-issued ID or driver's license from before 2008 counts because those were issued before Real ID rules existed and the DMV has already verified your status.

If you were born outside the U.S. and do not have a naturalization certificate, you can bring a consular report of birth abroad or a certificate of citizenship issued by the U.S. State Department. If you have a green card, bring it in person so the DMV can see the original. If your birth certificate is from another country, you'll need a certified English translation along with the original. Do not assume a photocopy of your birth certificate is acceptable — the DMV requires an official certified copy with a raised seal or official stamp from the vital records office that issued it.

What to Bring If You've Changed Your Name

If you've changed your name since your birth certificate was issued — through marriage, divorce, court order, or any other reason — bring the document that shows the change. A marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order changing your name all work. The document must be an official certified copy, not a photocopy. Bring both your birth certificate and the name-change document so the DMV can see the chain from your birth name to your current name.

If you've had multiple name changes, bring all the documents in order. For example, if you were born under one name, married and changed it, then divorced and changed it again, bring your birth certificate, marriage certificate, and divorce decree. The DMV will not process your Real ID without being able to trace your current name back to your birth certificate. If you've lost a marriage or divorce certificate, contact the county clerk's office where it was issued and request a certified copy — this usually takes one to two weeks.

What to Bring If You're a Noncitizen

If you have a green card, bring it in person. If you have a work visa or other temporary status, bring your visa and your I-94 arrival/departure record, which you can print from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website. If you have a pending asylum case, bring a letter from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services showing your case number and that you are authorized to work. If you have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), bring your employment authorization document (EAD) card.

Real ID is available only to U.S. citizens and noncitizens with lawful status. If you do not have one of these documents, you cannot get a Real ID. You can get a standard state ID instead, which does not require proof of citizenship. Check your state DMV website before your appointment, because some states have additional requirements for noncitizens, and a few states do not issue Real ID to noncitizens at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photocopy of my birth certificate?

No. The DMV requires an official certified copy with a raised seal or official stamp from the vital records office that issued it. You can order a certified copy from your state's vital records office, usually online or by mail. It typically costs $10 to $25 and takes one to two weeks. A photocopy you made yourself, even if it's a clear photocopy of an official document, will not be accepted.

What if I don't have a Social Security number?

You cannot get a Real ID without one. You can get a standard state ID instead, which does not require a Social Security number. If you are a noncitizen and do not have a Social Security number, ask the DMV about a state ID with a different number format — some states issue these to noncitizens who are not authorized to work.

Do I need to bring original documents or are copies okay?

Originals are required for your passport, passport card, military ID, and birth certificate. Copies are acceptable for your Social Security card, tax returns, W-2s, and naturalization papers. The DMV will return originals to you after checking them. Bring copies of everything you can, and originals of the documents that require them.

What if I've lost my birth certificate and can't get a replacement in time?

Contact your state vital records office and ask about expedited processing — many states offer it for an extra fee and can issue a certified copy in three to five business days. If that is not fast enough, ask the DMV if you can use a passport or passport card instead, which counts as proof of citizenship and identity together.

Can I use a bank statement as proof of address if it's more than 60 days old?

Yes. The DMV does not require your address document to be current. An older bank statement, utility bill, or lease all work as long as they show your current address. The DMV is verifying that you live where you claim to live, not that you have a recent bill.