The documents Real ID requires

To get a Real ID, you will need to bring proof of your identity, proof of your Social Security number, proof of your address, and proof of your lawful status in the United States. The exact documents accepted vary slightly by state, but the categories are the same everywhere. You cannot submit copies or digital images — you must bring the originals or certified copies to your DMV appointment.

Real ID is a federal standard that states must follow, but each state's DMV decides which specific documents it will accept within those categories. Before you go to the DMV, check your state's DMV website to see the exact list for your state. Bringing the wrong documents means a wasted trip and a rescheduled appointment.

Key Takeaways

  • You need four types of documents: identity, Social Security number, address, and proof of lawful status — originals or certified copies only.
  • Your state DMV website lists which specific documents it accepts, because rules vary by state even though the categories do not.
  • A passport or passport card counts as both identity and lawful status, so it can replace two separate documents.
  • Your current driver's license or state ID counts as proof of identity, so you do not need a second form of ID if you already have one.
  • Utility bills, bank statements, and lease agreements all work for address proof, as long as they show your name and current address.

Proof of identity documents

For identity, you can bring a current or expired passport, a passport card, a military ID, a tribal ID, a permanent resident card, or a current driver's license or state ID from any state. If you have a passport, bring it — it serves double duty as both identity and proof of lawful status. If you do not have a passport, a military ID or tribal ID works. Your current driver's license or state ID from another state is also acceptable.

If you do not have any of these, some states accept a certified birth certificate, a consular report of birth abroad, or a certificate of naturalization. Check your state's list first, because not all states accept all of these documents. A birth certificate must be certified by the vital records office that issued it, not a photocopy you made yourself.

Proof of your Social Security number

The easiest document for this is your Social Security card itself. If you do not have it or cannot find it, you can bring a W-2 form, a 1099 form, a tax return, a pay stub, or a document from the Social Security Administration. Any of these will work as long as your full Social Security number is printed on it.

If you have lost your Social Security card and do not have any of these other documents, you will need to request a replacement card from the Social Security Administration before you go to the DMV. This takes about two weeks. You can order one online at ssa.gov or visit your local Social Security office in person.

Proof of your current address

A utility bill, bank statement, mortgage statement, lease agreement, or property tax bill all work, as long as it shows your name and your current address. The document must be recent — most states accept documents dated within the last 60 days, though some allow up to 90 days. Check your state's rules to be sure.

If you have moved recently and your utility bill or lease still shows an old address, bring a second document that shows your new address. A piece of mail from a government agency, a bank statement, or a bill in your name all count. If you live with someone else and the bill is in their name, ask them to bring the bill with you and be prepared to show proof that you live there — a lease in both names, for example, or a document showing you as an authorized resident.

Proof of lawful status in the United States

A U.S. passport or passport card is the simplest document for this. If you do not have a passport, you can bring a permanent resident card (green card), a certificate of naturalization, a consular report of birth abroad, a valid visa with your passport, a birth certificate if you were born in the United States, or a tribal ID. Military members can bring a military ID and a military dependent ID.

If you were born outside the United States and do not have a passport or green card, a consular report of birth abroad (issued by the U.S. State Department) or a certificate of naturalization (issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) both work. If you have a visa, bring it along with your passport. Your state DMV website will show you the complete list of documents your state accepts for this category.

What to bring on the day of your appointment

Bring the original documents or certified copies — photocopies will not be accepted. If a document is in a language other than English, bring the original and a certified English translation. Some states accept notarized translations; others require a certified translation from a professional translator. Check your state's DMV website to see which one your state requires.

Bring all four types of documents even if one document (like a passport) covers more than one category. Bring your current driver's license or state ID if you have one. Bring your Social Security card if you have it, even though you could bring other documents instead. The more documents you bring, the less likely you are to be turned away for missing something.

What happens if you do not have all the documents

If you show up without one of the four required categories, the DMV will not issue you a Real ID. You will be offered a standard driver's license or state ID instead, which does not meet the federal standard. You can come back later with the missing documents and upgrade to a Real ID, but you will need to schedule a new appointment and may have to pay an additional fee.

If you cannot find a document you need, contact your state DMV before your appointment. Some DMVs have workarounds or can tell you which alternative documents your state accepts. If you need a birth certificate or Social Security card, you can request these before your appointment so you have them ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. You must bring the original document or a certified copy. A photo on your phone or a photocopy you made yourself will not be accepted. If you have a certified copy from the issuing agency, that works.

What if my address on my ID does not match my current address?

Bring a separate document that shows your current address, such as a utility bill or lease. The DMV will update your address on your new Real ID. You do not need to update your old ID first.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card if I have a W-2?

No. A W-2, pay stub, tax return, or 1099 all work instead. Bring whichever document you have. If you bring your Social Security card, make sure it is the original, not a copy.

What if my birth certificate is not certified?

An uncertified copy will not work. Contact the vital records office in the state or country where you were born and request a certified copy. This usually costs $10 to $30 and takes one to three weeks by mail.

Can my spouse's utility bill count as proof of my address?

Only if your name is also on the bill. If the bill is only in your spouse's name, bring a second document that shows your name and address, such as a lease in both names or a bank statement in your name.