What counts as proof of identity for a New Jersey REAL ID

New Jersey accepts a narrow list of documents to prove who you are. You need one document from this list, and it must be current or expired no more than five years ago. The state does not accept expired documents older than that, even if they were valid when you got them.

The documents New Jersey accepts are: a current U.S. passport, a passport card, a passport book, a military ID, a permanent resident card (green card), a tribal ID issued by a federally recognized tribe, or a foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa stamp. If you have a passport, that is usually the fastest route because it proves citizenship and identity at the same time.

If you do not have a passport or military ID, you will need to bring two separate documents instead: one that proves your identity and one that proves your citizenship. This combination takes longer and requires more paperwork, so having a passport makes the process simpler.

Key Takeaways

  • One current document from the federal list (passport, military ID, green card, or tribal ID) is enough to prove both identity and citizenship for a REAL ID.
  • Expired documents are accepted only if they expired within the last five years; anything older requires a different document.
  • If you do not have a passport or military ID, you will need to bring two documents instead: one for identity and one for citizenship.
  • A U.S. passport is the single document that satisfies both requirements and usually results in the fastest processing.
  • Foreign passports are accepted only if they have a valid U.S. visa stamp attached.

Using a passport as your single identity document

A U.S. passport book or passport card covers both the identity and citizenship requirement. You bring it to the Motor Vehicle Commission office, and the staff will copy it and return it to you. This is the simplest path because you do not have to hunt for a second document.

The passport must be current. If it expired more than five years ago, the Motor Vehicle Commission will not accept it, and you will have to bring two documents instead. Check the expiration date on the back cover before you go.

A passport card works the same way as a passport book. Both are issued by the U.S. State Department, and both satisfy the REAL ID requirement. If you have either one, bring it.

If you do not have a passport: the two-document path

Without a passport, military ID, green card, or tribal ID, you need to bring two documents to the Motor Vehicle Commission. One must prove your identity, and one must prove you are a U.S. citizen. They cannot be the same document.

For identity, New Jersey accepts a driver's license or ID card from another state, a foreign driver's license with an English translation, a school or work ID with a photo, or a document issued by a government agency that includes your photo and signature. The document does not have to be current, but it cannot be so old that it no longer looks like you.

For citizenship, New Jersey accepts a birth certificate issued by a U.S. state or territory, a naturalization certificate, a certificate of citizenship, or a U.S. passport. The birth certificate must be an official copy with a raised seal or certified stamp, not a photocopy or a document printed from an online service. If you were born outside the United States and became a citizen, bring the naturalization or citizenship certificate instead.

Birth certificates: what the Motor Vehicle Commission will and will not accept

A birth certificate must be an official document issued by the vital records office in the state or territory where you were born. You can order one from that state's health department or vital records office. The Motor Vehicle Commission will not accept a photocopy, a certified copy you printed yourself, or a document from an online genealogy service.

The birth certificate must have a raised seal or an official stamp. Some states issue certified copies with a stamp printed on the paper; others use a raised seal embossed into the document. Either one is acceptable. If you are not sure whether your copy meets this standard, call the Motor Vehicle Commission before you go, or bring it and ask the staff to look at it.

If your birth certificate shows a name different from the one you use now — because of marriage, divorce, or a legal name change — you will also need to bring a document that proves the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The Motor Vehicle Commission will not accept a birth certificate alone if the name does not match your current identity documents.

Naturalization and citizenship certificates

If you were born outside the United States and became a citizen through naturalization, bring your naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship instead of a birth certificate. These documents are issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and are the official proof of citizenship for people born abroad.

The document must be an original or a certified copy. A photocopy is not acceptable. If you have lost your naturalization certificate, you can request a replacement from USCIS before you go to the Motor Vehicle Commission, though this takes several weeks. In the meantime, you cannot complete your REAL ID without it or another citizenship document.

Military ID and other federal documents

An active-duty military ID, a military dependent ID, a retired military ID, or a military retiree ID all count as a single document that proves both identity and citizenship. Bring the original card. The Motor Vehicle Commission will copy it and return it to you.

A permanent resident card (green card) also counts as a single document. It proves both identity and lawful permanent resident status. Bring the original card.

Tribal IDs issued by federally recognized tribes are accepted as a single document. The tribe must be on the list maintained by the U.S. Department of Interior. If you are not sure whether your tribe is federally recognized, ask the Motor Vehicle Commission staff when you arrive, or call ahead.

What to bring to the Motor Vehicle Commission office

Bring the original document or documents. Do not bring photocopies. The Motor Vehicle Commission staff will make copies for your file and return your originals to you. Bring all documents in a folder or envelope so they do not get lost or damaged on the way.

If your documents show a different name than the one on your current ID or driver's license, bring proof of the name change as well — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Without it, the staff cannot match your documents to your identity.

If you are bringing documents in a language other than English, bring an official English translation as well. The Motor Vehicle Commission will not accept a translation you made yourself; it must come from a professional translator or a government agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a passport that expired more than five years ago?

No. New Jersey accepts expired documents only if they expired within the last five years. If your passport is older than that, you will need to bring two documents instead: one for identity and one for citizenship. You can renew your passport through the U.S. State Department, but that takes time, so it may be faster to gather the two-document combination.

What if my birth certificate has a different name than my current ID?

Bring a document that proves the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The Motor Vehicle Commission needs to see how your name changed from the birth certificate to your current identity. Without this proof, the staff cannot process your REAL ID.

Do I need an English translation of my foreign passport?

Only if the passport does not include English text. If your passport is in another language, bring an official English translation from a professional translator. The Motor Vehicle Commission will not accept a translation you made yourself or one from an online service.

Can I use a school ID or work ID as my identity document?

Yes, if it has your photo and signature and was issued by a school or employer. It does not have to be current. Bring it along with a citizenship document such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate.

What if I lost my naturalization certificate?

You can request a replacement from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before you go to the Motor Vehicle Commission, but this takes several weeks. In the meantime, you cannot complete your REAL ID without a citizenship document. If you have a U.S. passport, that will work instead.