Yes, you need an original or certified birth certificate for Real ID

A birth certificate is one of the documents the Department of Homeland Security requires to prove your identity and citizenship when you explore for a Real ID-compliant driver's license or state ID card. You must bring either an original birth certificate or a certified copy — a photocopy will not work. The certificate must be issued by the vital records office in the state or territory where you were born.

If you were born outside the United States, you will need a different citizenship document instead: a U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization, a Certificate of Citizenship, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. The birth certificate itself is not enough to prove citizenship if you were born in another country.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate — photocopies and digital images are not accepted.
  • The birth certificate must come from the vital records office in the state or territory where you were born, not from a hospital or other source.
  • If you were born outside the United States, you need a citizenship document like a U.S. passport or Certificate of Naturalization instead of a birth certificate.
  • Getting a certified copy takes one to four weeks depending on the state, so order it before your Real ID appointment.
  • You will also need to bring a second document proving your address, such as a utility bill or lease, along with your birth certificate.

How to get a certified copy of your birth certificate

Contact the vital records office in the state where you were born. Most states call this office the "Vital Records Bureau" or "Department of Vital Records," though some use different names — for example, New York calls it the "Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Records." You can find the correct office by searching "[your state] vital records" online or by calling your state health department.

You can request a certified copy by mail, phone, or in person. Mail requests usually take two to four weeks; in-person requests at a local office may be faster. Some states now offer online ordering through their vital records website. You will need to provide your full name, date of birth, and your parents' names. The cost varies by state but typically ranges from $10 to $30 per copy.

Order at least one extra copy beyond what you need for Real ID. You may need a birth certificate for other purposes later, and having a spare saves you from ordering again.

What counts as a certified copy

A certified copy has an official seal or stamp from the vital records office that issued it. The seal proves the document is authentic and is what the Real ID office will check. A photocopy of a certified copy, even if you make it at the vital records office, is not acceptable — you must bring the original certified document itself.

Some states issue birth certificates with a raised seal (you can feel it when you run your finger over it), while others use a printed seal. Both are valid. The important thing is that the seal comes directly from the vital records office, not from a hospital, funeral home, or genealogy website.

If you cannot find your original birth certificate

If you have lost your birth certificate or never received one, you will need to order a certified copy from the vital records office where you were born. This is the same process as ordering a replacement — the vital records office does not distinguish between an original you lost and a new copy you are requesting for the first time.

If you were born in a U.S. territory (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or Northern Mariana Islands), contact that territory's vital records office, not your current state. If you were born abroad to U.S. military parents or U.S. government employees, contact the State Department's Vital Records section.

What to bring to your Real ID appointment

Bring your certified birth certificate along with the other documents the Real ID office requires. You will also need to bring proof of your current address (such as a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days) and a document proving your Social Security number, such as a Social Security card or tax return.

Bring the original certified birth certificate, not a photocopy. The Real ID office will examine it to verify it is authentic, then return it to you. You will leave with your birth certificate and your new Real ID-compliant license or ID card.

If your name has changed since your birth certificate was issued

Bring your original birth certificate along with documents showing the legal name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The Real ID office will use both documents together to verify your identity. You do not need to order a new birth certificate with your current name — the original with your birth name is what the vital records office has on file and is what you should bring.

If you have had multiple name changes, bring all the documents in order. For example, if you were born under one name, married and changed your name, then divorced and changed it again, bring your birth certificate, marriage certificate, and divorce decree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a hospital birth certificate instead of a vital records certificate?

No. Hospital birth certificates are not certified by the state and are not accepted for Real ID. You must get a certified copy from the vital records office in the state where you were born. The hospital document can help you order a certified copy if you have lost yours, but it cannot be used in place of one.

What if I was born in another country but am a U.S. citizen?

Bring a U.S. citizenship document instead of a birth certificate: a U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, or Consular Report of Birth Abroad. Your foreign birth certificate will not work, even if you have become a citizen since then.

How long does it take to get a certified birth certificate?

Most states take one to four weeks to mail a certified copy. Some states offer expedited service for an extra fee, which can reduce the time to three to five business days. A few states allow you to pick up a certified copy in person the same day if you go to a local vital records office. Check your state's vital records website to see what options are available.

Do I need to bring the birth certificate to my Real ID appointment or can I send it ahead?

Bring it to your appointment in person. The Real ID office needs to see the original certified document to verify it is authentic. They will examine it, make a note in your file, and return it to you before you leave.

What if my birth certificate is damaged or hard to read?

Order a new certified copy from the vital records office. If the document is damaged but still readable, you can try bringing it to your Real ID appointment — the office will decide whether it is acceptable. If it is rejected, you will need to get a replacement certified copy before you can complete your Real ID process.