What Form You Need and Where to Get It

Louisiana uses the Form DL 44 for Real ID driver's licenses and the Form ID 1079 for Real ID identification cards. Both forms are available at the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles website, at any local OMV office, or you can request one by mail. The form itself is free.

You do not need to print the form in advance — most OMV offices have copies at the counter and can hand you one when you arrive. If you prefer to bring your own printed copy, read it from the OMV website and bring it completed or blank; either way works. Some people fill it out at home to save time in the office, while others prefer to complete it there with staff nearby if they have questions.

The form is straightforward but requires accurate information, so take your time. Mistakes on the form can delay your Real ID approval or require you to return and correct it.

Key Takeaways

  • Form DL 44 is for a Real ID driver's license; Form ID 1079 is for a Real ID identification card — use the one that matches what you are seeking.
  • You can obtain the form free from any OMV office, by mail request, or by printing it from the Louisiana OMV website.
  • The form asks for your legal name, date of birth, address, Social Security number, and signature — all must match your supporting documents.
  • Bring the completed form with you to your OMV appointment along with your required identity and residency documents.
  • If you make a mistake on the form, cross it out neatly, initial the change, and bring it to your appointment — OMV staff can also help correct errors.

What Information the Form Requires

The form asks for your full legal name as it appears on your birth certificate or passport. If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or court order, use your current legal name and bring the document that proves the change. Do not use a nickname or shortened version — Real ID requires your legal name exactly.

You will also enter your date of birth, current address, Social Security number, and phone number. The address must match the residency document you bring (such as a utility bill or lease). If you have moved recently and your ID shows an old address, update it on the form — you will need a current residency document to prove the new one.

The form includes a section for your signature. Sign it the same way you sign your name on official documents — this signature will appear on your Real ID. Do not print your name; actually sign it. If you cannot sign due to a disability, ask OMV staff about alternatives when you arrive.

Matching Your Form to Your Supporting Documents

The most common reason a Real ID process is delayed is a mismatch between the form and the documents you bring. If your form says "Robert" but your birth certificate says "Robert James" and your utility bill says "R. James," the OMV office will notice and may ask you to clarify or bring additional proof.

Before you fill out the form, gather your identity document (passport, birth certificate, or certified copy) and your residency document (utility bill, lease, bank statement, or government mail). Write the name and address exactly as they appear on those documents. If there is a discrepancy you cannot resolve, bring all the documents with you and let the OMV staff help you sort it out — they handle this regularly.

For address, use your current residence. If you live with family and do not have a utility bill in your name, a lease, bank statement, or even a piece of government mail (tax notice, court document, voter registration) showing your name and address will work. The OMV office has a list of acceptable residency documents; if you are unsure whether yours qualifies, call ahead.

Filling Out the Form Correctly

Use black or blue pen — not pencil. Write clearly and legibly; if the OMV staff cannot read your handwriting, they may ask you to rewrite sections. Print rather than use cursive if your handwriting is hard to read.

Fill in every field that applies to you. If a field does not explore (for example, a middle name field if you have no middle name), write "N/A" or leave it blank — ask the OMV office which they prefer. Do not leave fields blank if they are required; the form will be rejected.

If you make a mistake, cross it out neatly with a single line, write the correction above it, and initial the change. Do not use white-out or erasers. The OMV office accepts forms with neatly corrected errors; you do not need a perfect copy. If the form becomes too messy, you can request a fresh one at the OMV office and start over.

Bringing the Form to Your OMV Appointment

Bring the completed form with you to your appointment, along with all required identity and residency documents. The OMV staff will review the form against your documents to make sure everything matches. If there are errors or inconsistencies, they will point them out and may ask you to correct them on the spot or provide additional documentation.

If you did not complete the form before arriving, you can fill it out in the OMV office. Staff are available to answer questions about what information goes where. Arriving with the form already completed does save time, but it is not required.

After the OMV staff review your form and documents, they will take your photo and fingerprints (for Real ID). Your form becomes part of your process file. You will receive a receipt showing your process was submitted; keep this receipt until your Real ID arrives by mail.

What Happens If You Make a Mistake on the Form

If you realize you made an error after you have submitted the form, contact the Louisiana OMV office where you applied. Small errors — a misspelled street name, a transposed digit in your address — are usually corrected without requiring you to return in person. The OMV staff can update the information in their system.

If the error is significant — such as your legal name being wrong — you may need to return to the OMV office to correct it and resubmit. This can delay your Real ID approval by several weeks. For this reason, double-check your form before you hand it to the OMV staff.

If your Real ID arrives and contains an error, you can request a replacement. Contact the OMV office with your receipt number and explain the error. Replacement Real IDs are issued at no additional cost if the error was made by the OMV office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fill out the form online instead of printing it?

No. Louisiana requires a physical signed form. You must print Form DL 44 or Form ID 1079, complete it by hand, and bring it to your OMV appointment. Some states offer online pre-registration, but Louisiana does not currently offer this option for Real ID.

What if my legal name on the form does not match my Social Security card?

Bring both documents to your OMV appointment. The OMV staff will compare them and may ask you to clarify the discrepancy. If your name has changed, bring the document that proves the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order). If the names straightforward differ in format (middle initial vs. full middle name), the OMV office can usually resolve it with a note in your file.

Do I need to sign the form in front of the OMV staff?

No. You can sign the form at home before your appointment. However, the OMV staff will verify your signature matches the one on your identity document. If it looks significantly different, they may ask you to sign again in front of them to confirm it is actually your signature.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You will need to contact the Louisiana OMV office directly. Real ID requires a Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you do not have either, the OMV office can explain your options and what documents you will need to bring.

Can someone else fill out the form for me?

Someone can help you complete the form, but you must sign it yourself. The signature must be your own and must match your identity document. If you have a disability that prevents you from signing, bring documentation of the disability to your OMV appointment and ask staff about alternatives.