Documents Massachusetts accepts for Real ID

Massachusetts accepts a specific list of documents to prove your identity, residency, and citizenship or legal presence when you explore for a Real ID. You will need to bring originals or certified copies — photocopies alone will not work. The documents fall into three categories: proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of citizenship or legal presence in the United States.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is the only place in Massachusetts that issues Real IDs. They will not accept documents by mail; you must appear in person with your documents and your Social Security number.

Key Takeaways

  • You need one document from each of three categories: identity, residency, and citizenship or legal presence.
  • A passport or passport card counts as both identity and citizenship proof, so you may need fewer total documents if you have one.
  • Utility bills, lease agreements, and mortgage statements all work for residency proof, but they must show your current name and address.
  • The RMV will not accept documents by mail or email — you must bring originals or certified copies to an RMV office in person.
  • If your name has changed since a document was issued, you will need to bring proof of that change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).

Proof of identity documents

Massachusetts accepts the following documents as proof of identity: a current or expired U.S. passport, passport card, military ID, state ID from another state, driver's license from another state, or a certified copy of your birth certificate. A school ID or work ID does not count. Your document must show your photograph (except a birth certificate) and your full legal name.

If you are using a birth certificate, it must be a certified copy with the raised seal or embossed seal from the vital records office in the state where you were born. A photocopy or a certificate printed from an online vital records database will not work. You can order a certified birth certificate from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics if you were born in Massachusetts, or from the vital records office in the state where you were born.

Proof of residency documents

You must show that you live at the address you list on your Real ID process. Massachusetts accepts recent utility bills (electric, gas, water, or telephone), a lease agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, a homeowner's or renter's insurance policy, or a bank or credit card statement. The document must show your name and your current Massachusetts address, and it must be dated within the last 60 days.

If you recently moved to Massachusetts or changed your address, a document dated within the last 60 days is your only option. If you do not have a utility bill or lease in your name, a bank statement or insurance policy will work. A post office change-of-address form does not count as proof of residency.

Proof of citizenship or legal presence

You must prove you are a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. A U.S. passport or passport card serves this purpose on its own. If you do not have a passport, you can use a certified copy of your birth certificate (which also counts as identity proof), a Certificate of Naturalization, a Certificate of U.S. Citizenship, or a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).

If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you cannot get a Real ID. You can still get a standard Massachusetts driver's license or ID card, but it will not be acceptable for federal purposes like boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building.

What to do if your name has changed

If your legal name has changed since any of your documents were issued — through marriage, divorce, court order, or any other reason — you must bring proof of that change. The RMV will not issue a Real ID if your name does not match across all your documents.

Acceptable proof of name change includes an original or certified copy of a marriage certificate, divorce decree, annulment decree, or court order. If you changed your name by court order, bring the certified court order. These documents must come from the court or vital records office that issued them; a photocopy will not work.

How to prepare your documents before you go

Gather all your documents and check that each one shows your current legal name and, for residency documents, your current address. If any document is a photocopy or printout, order a certified copy from the issuing office before you go to the RMV. The RMV will turn you away if you show up with only photocopies.

Bring your Social Security number or a Social Security card. You will also need to bring your current Massachusetts driver's license or ID card if you have one. If you do not have one, bring a completed process for a Massachusetts Driver's License or Identification Card (form DL 34), which you can print from the RMV website or fill out at the RMV office.

Documents you cannot use

The RMV will not accept school IDs, work IDs, library cards, or expired documents for identity proof (except a passport or passport card, which can be expired). A photocopy of any document will not work, even if it is notarized. A post office change-of-address form, a lease agreement that does not show your name, or a utility bill that lists only a roommate's name will not work for residency proof.

If you were born outside the United States and do not have a U.S. passport, passport card, or Green Card, you will need a Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of U.S. Citizenship. A foreign birth certificate or foreign passport will not work, even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a digital copy or photo of my documents?

No. The RMV requires original documents or certified copies. A photo of your document on your phone or a PDF you downloaded will not work. You must bring the physical document to the RMV office.

What if I do not have a birth certificate?

You can order a certified copy from the vital records office in the state where you were born. If you were born outside the United States, you will need a U.S. passport, passport card, Green Card, or Certificate of Naturalization or U.S. Citizenship instead.

Do I need all three types of documents, or can one document count for multiple categories?

A U.S. passport or passport card counts as both identity and citizenship proof, so you would only need one residency document. For other combinations, you need at least one document from each category. A birth certificate counts as both identity and citizenship proof.

What if my residency document is older than 60 days?

The RMV will not accept it. You will need a more recent document showing your current address. If you cannot get one, contact the RMV to ask about exceptions — some situations may allow older documents, but this is rare.

Can I use a lease agreement if my roommate's name is on it but mine is not?

No. Your name must appear on the residency document. If you rent and your name is not on the lease, ask your landlord for a signed letter on their letterhead stating that you live at that address, or bring a utility bill in your name instead.