What documents the Department of Motor Vehicles will accept as proof of identity
The Real ID Act requires states to verify your identity before issuing a Real ID-compliant driver's license or ID card. The documents that count as acceptable proof depend on which state you explore in, but federal law sets a baseline. Most states accept a current or expired passport, a certified birth certificate, a Social Security card, and a state ID or driver's license from another state. Some states add documents like military discharge papers, tribal enrollment cards, or permanent resident cards to their list.
The key requirement is that your document must show your legal name and date of birth. It must also be an original or a certified copy — photocopies and notarized copies do not meet federal standards. If your document is in a language other than English, you will need to bring an official translation along with the original.
Your state's DMV website lists the exact documents it accepts, because states have some flexibility in what they add beyond the federal minimum. Before you go to the DMV, check your state's Real ID page to confirm which documents you need to bring and whether any of yours have expired.
Key Takeaways
- A current or expired U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, Social Security card, or valid state ID from another state will work in all states.
- Documents must be originals or certified copies — photocopies and notarized copies do not meet federal standards.
- Your document must show your legal name and date of birth to count as proof of identity.
- Some states accept additional documents like military discharge papers or tribal enrollment cards, so check your state DMV's Real ID requirements before you visit.
- If your document is in a language other than English, bring an official translation with the original.
Passport and passport card
A U.S. passport or passport card is one of the strongest forms of identity proof for Real ID because it is issued by the federal government and already contains security features. The passport does not have to be current — an expired passport works as long as it was not revoked. You do not need to bring anything else to prove your identity if you have a valid passport.
If you have a passport card (the wallet-sized version), it counts the same way as a full passport. Both show your legal name, date of birth, and photograph, which is more than most other documents require.
Birth certificate and vital records
A certified birth certificate is acceptable in all states. The word "certified" is important — it means the document came directly from the vital records office in the state or county where you were born, usually with an official seal and signature. A photocopy of your birth certificate, even if you had it notarized, will not work.
If you were born outside the United States, you can use a certified copy of your foreign birth certificate, but you will also need to bring proof that you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. A naturalization certificate, citizenship certificate, or permanent resident card serves that purpose. Some states also accept a consular report of birth abroad if you were born to a U.S. citizen overseas.
Getting a certified birth certificate takes time. You order it from the vital records office in the county or state where you were born, and processing usually takes one to four weeks depending on the state. If you need it faster, some states offer expedited service for an additional fee.
Social Security card and tax documents
A Social Security card counts as proof of identity in all states, but it is usually not enough on its own. The DMV will accept it as one piece of your identity proof, but you will typically need to bring a second document that shows your date of birth — such as a birth certificate, passport, or state ID from another state. Check your state's requirements, because some states do require the Social Security card to be paired with another document.
Tax documents like a W-2 form or 1099 can sometimes count as secondary proof of identity in some states, but they do not work as your primary document. They show your name and Social Security number but not your date of birth, so they fill a supporting role rather than standing alone.
State ID and driver's license from another state
A valid driver's license or ID card from another state works as proof of identity in all states. It does not have to be from your current state of residence. An expired license from another state may work in some states but not others, so check your state's rules before you rely on it.
If you have a Real ID-compliant license from another state, that document already meets federal standards and you may be able to use it to speed up your own Real ID process. Some states allow you to transfer a Real ID from another state without re-verifying your identity, though you will still need to pass a background check and pay the fee.
Military and government documents
A military ID card or military discharge papers (DD Form 214) count as identity proof in most states. A current military ID is particularly strong because it is government-issued and contains a photograph. If you are retired military or a dependent, your military ID may also work.
A federal employee ID or a tribal enrollment card is accepted in many states as well. Some states also recognize a passport issued by a foreign government if you are a permanent resident of the United States, though you will need to bring your permanent resident card or naturalization certificate along with it to prove your status.
Documents that do not work
Photocopies, even if notarized, do not meet federal standards for Real ID. A notary's signature does not make a photocopy acceptable — the DMV needs an original document or a certified copy issued by the government agency that created it. The difference matters: a certified copy comes with an official seal and is issued directly by the vital records office or government body, while a notarized copy is just a photocopy that a notary has witnessed.
School IDs, work IDs, and library cards do not count as proof of identity for Real ID. Neither do documents that show only your name without your date of birth, such as a voter registration card or utility bill. If you bring documents that do not meet the requirements, the DMV will ask you to come back with acceptable ones.
What to bring to the DMV
Bring your original documents or certified copies — do not bring photocopies. If you are bringing multiple documents, organize them in the order your state's DMV website lists them. Bring the originals of everything, because the DMV staff will need to see them and may make copies for your file.
If any of your documents are in a language other than English, bring both the original and an official English translation. A translation done by a professional translator or certified translation service is what the DMV will accept — a translation you did yourself or asked a friend to do will not work.
If your legal name has changed since one of your documents was issued, bring proof of the name change as well, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DMV needs to confirm that the person on your old documents is the same person explore for Real ID.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an expired passport as proof of identity?
Yes. An expired U.S. passport works as proof of identity for Real ID as long as it was not revoked. The DMV does not require your passport to be current to use it as identity proof, though some other uses of a passport do require it to be valid.
What if I was born outside the United States?
You can use a certified copy of your foreign birth certificate along with proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. A naturalization certificate, citizenship certificate, or permanent resident card will work. Some states also accept a consular report of birth abroad if you were born to a U.S. citizen overseas.
Is a notarized copy of my birth certificate acceptable?
No. A notarized copy is still a photocopy and does not meet federal standards. You need a certified copy issued directly by the vital records office in the state or county where you were born, which comes with an official seal and signature.
Can I use a school ID or work ID?
No. School IDs, work IDs, and library cards do not count as proof of identity for Real ID. The DMV needs documents issued by government agencies, such as a passport, birth certificate, or state ID.
What if my name on my documents does not match my current legal name?
Bring proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DMV needs to confirm that you are the same person on all your documents before issuing your Real ID.