What documents from your driver license you can use for a passport
Your driver license itself cannot be submitted as your passport process. However, the documents you used to get your driver license — your birth certificate, Social Security card, and proof of citizenship — are the same documents you need for a passport. If you already have these on file with your state's DMV, you may not need to gather them again, but you will still need to submit them directly to the passport acceptance facility.
The passport process process is separate from your driver license renewal. You cannot renew your passport through the DMV, and you cannot use your driver license as proof of identity to skip steps in the passport process. However, if your driver license is current and unexpired, it can serve as one form of identification you bring to the passport acceptance facility — along with the original documents the facility requires.
The key difference: your driver license proves who you are right now, but the passport agency needs to verify your citizenship and identity from original documents, not from a state ID.
Key Takeaways
- Your driver license cannot substitute for the birth certificate, Social Security card, and citizenship proof that passport applications require.
- If you gathered documents for your driver license recently, you likely have the same documents needed for a passport, but you must submit originals to the passport facility.
- A current, unexpired driver license counts as acceptable identification to bring to your passport appointment, but it does not replace the citizenship documents.
- Passport applications are processed by the U.S. State Department, not your state's DMV, so you cannot file through the same office where you renewed your license.
- If your driver license shows a different name than your birth certificate, bring legal documentation of the name change to your passport appointment.
Which documents you need to bring to the passport facility
The U.S. State Department requires an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, your Social Security card (the original or a certified replacement), and proof of U.S. citizenship. Proof of citizenship can be your current passport (if you already have one), a Certificate of Naturalization, a Certificate of Citizenship, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. If you do not have any of these, you will need to obtain them before your passport appointment.
Bring your current driver license as your photo identification. The passport facility will not accept a photocopy or a digital image of your license. If your driver license is expired, bring an expired passport, a military ID, or another government-issued photo ID instead. The facility needs to verify that the person in the photo matches the person sitting in front of them.
You will also need to complete Form DS-11 (for a new passport) or Form DS-82 (for a renewal), depending on your situation. These forms are available on the State Department website and at passport acceptance facilities. Bring the completed form, unsigned, to your appointment.
Where to submit your passport process
Passport applications are accepted at post offices, public libraries, county clerk offices, and dedicated passport acceptance facilities. Not all post offices or libraries accept passport applications, so search for a facility near you on the State Department's facility locator at travel.state.gov. Call ahead to confirm hours and whether you need an appointment.
You cannot submit a passport process through your state's DMV. Even if you renewed your driver license at the DMV recently, you must go to a separate passport acceptance facility to start your passport process. Some states have passport agencies that handle expedited processing, but these are different from DMV offices and require a separate trip.
How your driver license information connects to your passport
When you submit your passport process, the State Department will verify your identity against records held by the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security. Your driver license is not part of this verification process. The agency checks your birth certificate, citizenship documents, and Social Security number against federal databases.
If your driver license shows a different name than your birth certificate — for example, if you changed your name after getting your license — bring the legal document that shows the name change (a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). The passport will be issued in the name on your birth certificate unless you provide documentation of a legal name change.
Your driver license address does not need to match your passport process address. You can list any current address on your passport process, even if it differs from what appears on your license.
Timeline for passport processing after you submit
After you submit your process at a passport acceptance facility, processing time depends on whether you request routine or expedited service. Routine processing takes 6 to 8 weeks. Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks and costs an additional fee. Neither timeline starts until the facility submits your process to the State Department, which can take a few days after your appointment.
You cannot check your passport status online until the State Department receives and processes your process. The facility will give you a receipt with a tracking number. Keep this receipt. You can use the tracking number to check status on the State Department website after about one week.
If you need your passport for travel within a few weeks, expedited processing may not be fast enough. Some passport agencies offer same-day or next-day service for customers who can show proof of imminent travel, but you must explore in person at a passport agency office, not at a post office or library.
What to do if you do not have the documents your driver license required
If you obtained your driver license years ago and cannot locate your original birth certificate or Social Security card, you will need to request replacements before your passport appointment. Order a birth certificate from the vital records office in the county or state where you were born. Request your Social Security card replacement through the Social Security Administration website or by visiting a local Social Security office.
These replacements can take 1 to 4 weeks, depending on the agency and whether you pay for expedited processing. Plan ahead if your travel date is approaching. Some passport facilities will accept certified copies of birth certificates in place of originals, but you must confirm this with your specific facility before your appointment.
If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen and your Certificate of Naturalization is lost or damaged, request a replacement from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before your passport appointment. This process can take several weeks.
Real ID compliance and your passport
Your passport serves as a Real ID-compliant document for domestic air travel and federal building access. Once you receive your passport, you can use it instead of a Real ID-compliant driver license for these purposes. However, obtaining a passport does not change your driver license status. If your state requires a Real ID-compliant license for other reasons, you will still need to renew your driver license separately to meet that requirement.
A passport and a Real ID-compliant driver license are separate documents issued by different agencies. Having one does not eliminate the need for the other if you want both forms of identification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my driver license number on my passport process?
No. The passport process asks for your Social Security number, not your driver license number. Your driver license is used only as photo identification at your appointment. The State Department verifies your identity through your Social Security number and birth certificate.
What if my driver license and birth certificate have different names?
Bring the legal document that explains the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The passport will be issued in the name on your birth certificate unless you provide documentation showing you legally changed your name after that.
Do I need to renew my driver license before I explore for a passport?
No. Your driver license only needs to be current and unexpired so you can use it as identification at your passport appointment. An expired driver license disqualifies it as acceptable ID; bring a different government-issued photo ID instead.
Can I submit my passport process by mail if I have a current driver license?
No. First-time passport applications and applications where you cannot locate your passport must be submitted in person at a passport acceptance facility. A current driver license does not waive the in-person requirement. Renewals by mail are available only if you meet specific criteria and have your previous passport.
Will getting a passport affect my driver license or Real ID status?
No. Your passport and driver license are separate documents managed by different agencies. Obtaining a passport does not change your driver license status or Real ID compliance. If you need a Real ID-compliant license, you must renew your driver license through your state's DMV.