Bring these documents to the Florida DMV

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles requires you to bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number before you can get a driver's license. You do not need to bring originals of everything — some documents can be copies — but the DMV staff will tell you on the spot if something is missing or unacceptable. Bring more than the minimum if you have it, because a rejected process means another trip.

The exact documents depend on whether you are a Florida resident, whether you have a valid ID from another state, and whether you were born in the United States. The list below covers the most common situations. If your circumstances are unusual — you are undocumented, you changed your name, you lost your birth certificate — call your local DMV office before you go, because some documents cannot be replaced quickly.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring proof of identity (a passport, birth certificate, or valid out-of-state ID), proof of Florida residency (a utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number or a document showing it.
  • If you have a valid driver's license or ID from another state, bring it — the DMV can verify it electronically and you may not need a birth certificate.
  • Proof of residency must show your current Florida address and be dated within the last 60 days; a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement usually works.
  • Bring your original documents or certified copies; the DMV will not accept photos or faxes of most items.
  • If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must sign the process in front of a DMV employee, and you may need additional documents showing their relationship to you.

Proof of identity documents the DMV accepts

A valid passport (U.S. or foreign) is the easiest proof of identity because it shows your name, date of birth, and photograph. Bring the original. If you do not have a passport, bring your birth certificate — it must be an original or a certified copy from the vital records office in the state or country where you were born. A photocopy of your birth certificate will not work.

If you hold a valid driver's license or ID card from another U.S. state, bring it. The DMV can verify it through the National Driver Register, which means you may not need a birth certificate. The license or ID must not be expired, suspended, or revoked. If it is expired but was valid when it expired, call ahead to ask whether the DMV will accept it — policies vary by office.

Other documents that count as proof of identity include a military ID, a tribal ID card issued by a federally recognized tribe, a U.S. Certificate of Naturalization, or a Permanent Resident Card (green card). Each must be original or certified. If you have none of these, you will need a birth certificate.

Proof of residency: what shows you live in Florida

You must bring a document dated within the last 60 days that shows your name and your current Florida address. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, internet, or phone) is the most common choice. A lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, or a property tax bill also work. The document does not have to be in your name alone — if your spouse's name is on the bill and you live at that address, it counts.

Documents that do not count as proof of residency include a driver's license, an ID card, a bank statement, a credit card statement, or a piece of mail from a government agency. The DMV is strict about this rule because the point is to verify that you actually live where you say you do, not just that you receive mail there.

If you cannot get a utility bill or lease in your name — for example, you live with a family member and are not on the lease — bring a notarized affidavit from the person whose name is on the bill, stating that you live at that address. Bring the affidavit and the utility bill together. Some DMV offices also accept a letter from a homeless services provider if you are staying in a shelter.

Social Security number and tax identification

You must provide your Social Security number. You can tell it to the DMV employee verbally, or you can bring a document that shows it: a Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, a tax return, or a pay stub. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) card or a letter from the IRS showing your ITIN.

If you are not a U.S. citizen and do not have a Social Security number or ITIN, tell the DMV when you arrive. Florida issues driver's licenses to some non-citizens, but the process is different and you will need to speak with a supervisor before you start your process.

What to bring if you are under 18

If you are under 18, your parent or legal guardian must sign your process in front of a DMV employee. Bring the parent or guardian with you. They will need to show their own ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card.

You will also need to bring proof that the adult is your parent or guardian. A birth certificate showing both your name and the parent's name works. If you were adopted or the guardian is not a parent, bring a certified copy of the adoption decree or guardianship order. If the parent's last name is different from yours, bring a marriage certificate or divorce decree showing the name change.

Documents for name changes and corrections

If your name on your birth certificate or passport does not match the name you want on your driver's license, bring the document that shows the change. A marriage certificate or divorce decree is the most common. If you changed your name by court order, bring the certified court order. If you are correcting a misspelling on your birth certificate, bring a certified correction from the vital records office.

The DMV will not issue a license with a name that does not match at least one of your identity documents. If your documents show different names and you cannot explain the difference, the DMV will ask you to get a certified copy of a court order or vital records correction before they proceed.

What you do not need to bring

You do not need to bring your Social Security card itself — telling the DMV your number is enough, though bringing a document that shows it speeds up the process. You do not need to bring proof of insurance, a vehicle registration, or anything related to a car. You do not need to bring your old Florida license if you had one, though it can help if you are renewing.

You do not need to bring money for the fee unless you are paying in cash; the DMV accepts debit cards, credit cards, and checks. You do not need to bring a completed process form — the DMV provides one and helps you fill it out. You do not need to bring your glasses or contacts, though you should wear them to the eye test if you normally wear them while driving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a photo of my documents instead of the originals?

No. The DMV requires original documents or certified copies for identity and residency. A photo on your phone will not be accepted. If you cannot bring the original, contact the issuing agency to request a certified copy before your DMV visit.

What if my utility bill or lease is not in my name?

Bring the bill or lease anyway, along with a notarized statement from the person whose name is on it, confirming that you live at that address. The notarized letter and the utility bill together count as proof of residency.

Do I need to bring my birth certificate if I have a valid out-of-state driver's license?

Not always. If your out-of-state license is current and valid, the DMV can verify it electronically and may not require a birth certificate. Call your local DMV office to confirm before you go, since policies can vary by location.

What happens if I forget a document?

The DMV will tell you what is missing and send you home to get it. You will need to return with the missing document and start the process again. Bring extra documents if you have them to avoid a second trip.

Can I use a lease agreement that is more than 60 days old?

No. Your proof of residency must be dated within the last 60 days. A lease agreement itself can be older, but you need a recent document showing your current address — a utility bill, a recent lease renewal, or a mortgage statement dated within 60 days.