The documents Real ID requires

You need four things to get a Real ID: proof of citizenship or legal residency, a document showing your current address, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security number. The exact papers that count vary slightly by state, but the categories are the same everywhere. You bring originals or certified copies — photocopies alone will not work.

Real ID is a federal standard that lets you use your driver's license or state ID card to board domestic flights and enter federal buildings. If you do not have one by now, your current license still works for driving; Real ID only matters for those two specific things. Most states have been issuing Real ID cards automatically since 2020, so you may already have one without realizing it — check the top left corner of your license for a gold or black star.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, passport, or immigration document to prove citizenship or legal residency.
  • Your current address requires a recent utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail — a bank statement or credit card bill usually does not count.
  • A valid driver's license, passport, military ID, or tribal ID serves as your photo ID, even if it is not a Real ID card itself.
  • You will need your Social Security number, but you can provide it verbally; you do not need to bring your card.
  • Each state's DMV publishes its own list of accepted documents, so check your state's website before you go to avoid a wasted trip.

Proof of citizenship or legal residency

This is the document that proves you are a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. An original or certified copy of your birth certificate is the most common choice. If you were born in the United States, order a certified copy from the vital records office in the county or state where you were born — not a photocopy you make yourself. The state vital records website will tell you how to order and what it costs, usually between $10 and $30.

If you were born outside the United States, a U.S. passport, passport card, or Certificate of Naturalization works instead. A green card (Permanent Resident Card) counts if you are not a citizen. If you have a visa or other immigration document, check your state's DMV website to see whether it is on their accepted list, because rules vary.

Do not bring a hospital birth certificate from when you were born — hospitals issue those as keepsakes, and the DMV will not accept them. You need the official document from the government office that recorded the birth.

Proof of your current address

You need a document dated within the last 60 days showing your name and current street address. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, internet) is the easiest option. A lease or mortgage statement works. So does a property tax bill or a piece of mail from a government agency addressed to you at your current address.

Bank statements, credit card statements, and insurance bills usually do not count, even if they show your address — check your state's list to be sure. If you recently moved and do not have a bill in your new name yet, ask your utility company for a letter confirming your address, or bring a lease with your signature and the landlord's signature.

If you live with someone else and the bill is in their name, bring the bill plus a document showing you live there — a lease in your name, a notarized letter from the person whose name is on the bill, or a government document addressed to you at that address. Rules on this vary by state, so call your DMV ahead of time if you are unsure.

A valid photo ID

You must bring a current government-issued photo ID. This can be your existing driver's license or state ID card, even if it is not a Real ID card. A U.S. passport, passport card, military ID, or tribal ID all work. The ID must not be expired, though some states will accept an ID that expired within the last year — check your state's rules.

If you do not have any of these, you cannot get a Real ID in person. Some states let you mail in your documents instead, which removes the photo ID requirement for the initial transaction. Check whether your state offers mail-in Real ID before you assume you have to visit the DMV.

Your Social Security number

You will need to provide your Social Security number, but you do not have to bring your Social Security card. You can tell the DMV staff your number verbally, and they will enter it into their system. If you do not know your number, bring your card so they can read it, or bring a document that shows it — a tax return, W-2, or 1099 form.

If you have never had a Social Security number, you will need to get one before you can get a Real ID. Contact the Social Security Administration directly to start that process.

What each state accepts — and where to find the list

Every state's DMV publishes its own list of documents that count for each category. The list for your state is on your DMV's website, usually under a heading like "Real ID documents" or "REAL ID requirements." Some states are stricter than others — for example, some accept a phone bill as proof of address, and others do not.

Before you gather your documents and go to the DMV, spend five minutes on your state's website and print or screenshot the list. This is the fastest way to avoid making a trip only to find out your documents do not meet your state's rules. If the website is unclear, call your local DMV office and ask which documents they need.

Certified copies and originals

The DMV wants to see originals or certified copies. A certified copy is a photocopy that has been stamped and signed by the government office that issued the original — for a birth certificate, that is the vital records office in your state. You order a certified copy the same way you order an original.

A photocopy you make yourself at home or at a copy shop is not acceptable. If you bring an original document like your birth certificate, the DMV will look at it and hand it back — they do not keep it. If you are worried about losing an original, order a certified copy instead and bring that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a digital copy of my documents on my phone?

No. The DMV requires physical originals or certified copies that they can hold and examine. You cannot show them a photo of your birth certificate on your phone. However, you can take photos of your documents before you go, so you have the information if you need to order replacements.

What if I was born outside the United States 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 that instead. Check your state's DMV website to see if there are other documents they will accept.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card?

No. You can tell the DMV staff your number, and they will enter it. Bring your card only if you do not know your number and need them to read it from the card itself.

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

That is fine. Bring your current ID (even if the address is old) plus a document showing your new address dated within the last 60 days. The DMV will update your address when they issue your Real ID card.

Can someone else pick up my Real ID card if I cannot go to the DMV?

Rules vary by state. Some states let a family member or trusted person pick it up with a signed letter from you; others require you to pick it up yourself. Call your DMV ahead of time to ask what they allow.