What the DMV will accept as proof of identity

The DMV accepts a limited set of documents to prove who you are for REAL ID. The document must show your name, date of birth, and a photo — and it must be current (not expired). A U.S. passport, passport card, or enhanced driver's license from another state all work. If you don't have one of those, a state ID card, military ID, or tribal ID issued by a federally recognized tribe will work too. Some states also accept a permanent resident card (green card) or a foreign passport paired with an I-94 arrival/departure record.

The key rule: your identity document must be issued by a government agency. School IDs, work badges, and library cards do not count, even if they have your photo. The DMV is strict about this because REAL ID is a federal security standard — the document you're getting has to prove you are who you say you are before the DMV issues it.

If your document is expired, most states will not accept it for REAL ID, though a few allow documents expired within the last year. Call your state DMV before you go in to confirm what they accept in your state, because rules vary.

Key Takeaways

  • Your identity document must be issued by a government agency and show your name, date of birth, and photo — an expired document usually will not work.
  • A U.S. passport, passport card, enhanced driver's license, state ID, military ID, or tribal ID from a federally recognized tribe are the most common documents the DMV accepts.
  • A permanent resident card (green card) or foreign passport with an I-94 record may work depending on your state, so check with your DMV first.
  • School IDs, work badges, and other non-government-issued documents with photos do not count toward REAL ID, no matter how recent they are.

Why the DMV requires a government-issued photo ID

REAL ID is a federal security standard created after 2001. It means your driver's license or state ID has been issued only after the DMV verified your identity using official documents. Because of that, the DMV has to see proof from a government source — not a private company or organization — before they hand you a REAL ID card.

A government-issued photo ID is harder to forge than a work badge or school card. It also connects to databases the DMV can check. When you show a passport or military ID, the DMV can confirm it is real and that the person in the photo matches you. That verification is what makes REAL ID different from a regular driver's license.

Documents that work for REAL ID in most states

U.S. passport or passport card. This is the easiest document to bring. It is current as long as the expiration date has not passed. You do not need to bring anything else to prove your identity if you have a valid passport.

Enhanced driver's license from another state. Some states issue enhanced licenses that meet REAL ID standards. If you have one from a different state, your DMV will accept it. The card will say "enhanced" on it.

State ID card or driver's license from another state. A current ID from any other state works, as long as it is not expired. You do not need the original — a copy is usually fine, though call ahead to confirm.

Military ID. An active military ID, military dependent ID, or retired military ID all count. The ID must be current.

Tribal ID. If you are a member of a federally recognized tribe, a tribal ID issued by that tribe works. The ID must show your name, date of birth, and photo.

Documents that may work depending on your state

Permanent resident card (green card). Some states accept a green card as proof of identity for REAL ID. Others do not. Check with your state DMV before you go in — if they accept it, you will likely need to bring it along with a Social Security card or tax return to prove your address.

Foreign passport. A few states accept a foreign passport if you also bring an I-94 arrival/departure record (the document you receive when you enter the U.S.). The passport must be current and the I-94 must match your name and date of birth. Again, call your DMV first — this is not standard in most states.

Certificate of naturalization or U.S. citizenship. Some states accept these documents as identity proof, though they do not have a photo. If your state accepts it, you will need to bring a second document with a photo, like a work ID or school ID, to go with it. Check your state's requirements.

Documents that do not work for REAL ID

The DMV will not accept a school ID, work badge, library card, or any other photo ID issued by a private company or non-government organization. These do not count because they are not government-issued and cannot be verified against federal databases.

An expired government ID also will not work in most states, even if it expired only a few months ago. The DMV treats an expired document as no longer valid proof. A handful of states make exceptions for documents expired within the last year, but this is rare — ask your DMV.

A birth certificate alone is not enough. While it proves your name and date of birth, it has no photo, so the DMV cannot confirm you are the person in the certificate. You need a photo ID from the list above.

What to bring if you do not have a government photo ID

If you do not have a passport, military ID, or ID from another state, you have two paths. The first is to get a passport before you go to the DMV. A passport takes several weeks to arrive, but it is the simplest document to bring — you need nothing else.

The second path is to check whether your state accepts a certificate of naturalization, green card, or foreign passport with an I-94. Call your DMV and ask what they accept. If they do, you will need to bring that document plus a second form of ID with a photo (even if it is not government-issued) to confirm you are the person in the certificate or passport.

If neither path works in your state, you may need to get a state ID card first, which requires different documents. Your DMV website will list what you need for a state ID — the rules are different from REAL ID.

How to confirm what your state accepts

Rules vary by state, so the safest step is to call your state DMV or visit their website before you go in. Search "[your state] DMV REAL ID documents" and look for the official list. When you call, have your documents ready and ask the DMV staff directly whether each one will work.

Bring the original document, not a copy, unless the DMV website says a copy is fine. Some states accept copies of out-of-state IDs but want the original passport. Ask when you call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an expired passport for REAL ID?

No, most states will not accept an expired passport. The document must be current. If your passport expired, you will need to renew it before you go to the DMV. Check your state's rules — a few states make exceptions for documents expired within the last year, but this is uncommon.

Does a birth certificate count as proof of identity for REAL ID?

A birth certificate alone does not work because it has no photo. The DMV needs to see your face to confirm you are the person named on the document. You need a government-issued photo ID from the list above, or a birth certificate paired with another photo ID (depending on your state's rules).

What if I have a green card but my state does not accept it?

If your state does not accept a green card for REAL ID, you will need a different document from the approved list — a passport, military ID, or ID from another state. Call your DMV to confirm what they accept in your situation.

Can I use a school ID or work badge instead of a government ID?

No. The DMV only accepts government-issued photo IDs because they can verify them against federal databases. School IDs and work badges do not count, even if they have your photo and are current.

Do I need to bring the original document or can I bring a copy?

Most states want the original, but some accept copies of out-of-state driver's licenses or IDs. Call your DMV before you go — they will tell you whether a copy is acceptable for your specific document.