Bring these documents to the Texas DPS office

You need to bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, a Social Security card or document showing your number, and proof of your current address. You also need a completed DL-44 form (process for Texas Driver License), which you can fill out before you arrive or at the office. Bring your current out-of-state driver's license if you have one — the DPS will take it and send it back to that state.

If you don't have a birth certificate yet, you can order one from the Texas Vital Statistics office or from the state where you were born. This usually takes one to two weeks. A Social Security card itself is best, but the DPS will also accept a W-2 form, tax return, or a Social Security statement showing your number.

For proof of address, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and current address. The document must be dated within the last 30 days. A piece of mail from a government agency also works.

Key Takeaways

  • Bring an original or certified birth certificate, a Social Security card or document with your number, and proof of your address dated within the last 30 days.
  • Fill out form DL-44 before you go or complete it at the DPS office — either way is fine.
  • If you have a current driver's license from another state, bring it; the DPS will return it to that state.
  • If you don't have a birth certificate, order one from the Texas Vital Statistics office or the state where you were born, which takes one to two weeks.

What counts as proof of your Social Security number

The Social Security card itself is the simplest option. If you don't have the card but know your number, the DPS will accept other documents that show it: a W-2 form from your employer, a 1099 form, a tax return, or an official Social Security statement you can request online from ssa.gov.

You cannot use a document that only lists your name and number written by hand or typed by someone else. It has to be an official document from an employer, the IRS, or the Social Security Administration.

What counts as proof of your current address

Your proof of address must show your name and your current street address, and it must be dated within the last 30 days. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, internet, or phone) works best. So does a lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or bank or credit card statement.

Government mail also counts: a letter from the IRS, a voter registration card, a property tax notice, or a letter from a city or county office. If you live with someone else and the bill is in their name, bring a signed letter from them saying you live there, plus the bill.

A PO box address does not count as proof of residence. If you use a PO box for mail, you still need to show your street address on another document.

Filling out the DL-44 form before you arrive

You can read the DL-44 form from the Texas DPS website and fill it out at home. This saves time at the office, but it is not required — you can also fill it out there. The form asks for your name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, and whether you want to be an organ donor.

If you fill it out ahead of time, bring it with you and bring the original documents listed above. Do not sign the form until you are at the DPS office, because a DPS employee must watch you sign it.

Documents you may need if you were born outside the United States

If you were born outside the United States, bring your birth certificate from that country plus a certified English translation if it is not in English. You also need a document showing you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident: a U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization, a Permanent Resident Card (green card), or an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

If you are not yet a citizen but have a valid visa, bring your passport and visa. The DPS will issue you a driver's license that expires when your visa expires.

What to bring if you are renewing or replacing a license

If you already have a Texas driver's license and are renewing it, you need fewer documents. Bring your current license, proof of your current address (dated within the last 30 days), and the DL-44 form. You do not need to bring your birth certificate or Social Security card again unless your name has changed.

If your license was lost or stolen, bring proof of your address and your Social Security card or a document with your number. You do not need your birth certificate for a replacement.

What happens at the DPS office

When you arrive, a DPS employee will check your documents, have you sign the DL-44 form in front of them, take your photograph, and give you a vision test. They will also ask you to provide your thumbprint. After that, you will take a written test on traffic laws and road signs, then a driving test.

The whole process usually takes one to three hours depending on how busy the office is. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot if you pass the driving test. Your permanent plastic license card arrives in the mail within one to two weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a copy of my birth certificate instead of the original?

Yes, a certified copy works. An original is fine too. A regular photocopy does not count — it has to be certified by the office that issued it or by a notary public.

What if my address on my birth certificate is different from where I live now?

That is fine. Your birth certificate shows where you were born, not where you live. Bring your current address on a recent utility bill or other proof dated within the last 30 days, and that is what goes on your license.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card if I have a W-2?

No. The DPS will accept a W-2, tax return, or Social Security statement instead of the card itself. Any one of these documents is enough.

What if I don't have any of the documents listed?

Contact the DPS office in your area before you go. They can tell you what alternative documents might work in your situation. You can also call the DPS at 1-888-589-6789 to ask about your specific case.

Can someone else bring my documents for me?

No. You have to be present at the DPS office to sign the form, have your photograph taken, and take the tests. You must bring your own documents or have them with you when you arrive.