The documents you need depend on which type of proof you bring

California Real ID requires you to show proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, proof of California residency, and proof of legal presence in the United States. You do not need all of these at once — the DMV accepts different combinations depending on what you have. The key is bringing at least one document from each category, though some single documents count for multiple categories.

The most common path is a passport or passport card (covers identity and legal presence), a Social Security card or W-2 form (covers Social Security number), and a utility bill or lease (covers residency). If you do not have a passport, you can substitute a birth certificate or consular report of birth abroad for identity and legal presence, then add the other pieces separately.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring one document proving who you are, one proving your Social Security number, one proving you live in California, and one proving you are legally in the United States.
  • A U.S. passport or passport card covers both identity and legal presence, cutting the number of documents you need to bring.
  • If you do not have a passport, a birth certificate works for identity and legal presence, but you will need separate documents for Social Security number and residency.
  • Utility bills, lease agreements, and bank statements all work for proving California residency and are easier to obtain than government-issued documents.
  • The DMV accepts documents in English or certified English translations; if your document is in another language, bring the original plus a certified translation.

Identity documents the DMV will accept

For proof of identity, bring one of these: a valid U.S. passport, passport card, birth certificate (original or certified copy), consular report of birth abroad, or a valid foreign passport. If your birth certificate is not certified, the DMV will not accept it — you need the official version from the county or state where you were born, not a photocopy or hospital record.

If you were born outside the United States, a consular report of birth abroad (Form FS-545 or DS-1350) works the same way as a birth certificate. If you have a valid foreign passport, it counts as identity proof, though you will still need a separate document proving legal presence in the U.S. unless you also have a visa stamp or I-94 in the passport itself.

Expired documents are fine for identity — the DMV does not require your passport or birth certificate to be current. What matters is that it is an official document issued by a government agency, not a photocopy or a document you printed yourself.

Proof of Social Security number

Bring one of these: your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, a tax return, or a Social Security statement. The Social Security card is the simplest option if you have it. If you lost your card, a recent W-2 or tax return from your employer works just as well and is usually easier to find than ordering a replacement card.

If you do not have any of these documents, you can request a Social Security statement online through ssa.gov or by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. The statement arrives by mail and takes about two weeks. You can also bring a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your Social Security number, though this is less common and the DMV may ask additional questions.

Proof of California residency

Bring one document dated within the last 60 days showing your California address. The easiest options are a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, or a bank or credit card statement. The document must show your name and current California address — a bill addressed to "Resident" or a previous address will not work.

If you recently moved and do not have a bill in your name yet, a lease or rental agreement works even if it is older than 60 days, as long as it shows your current address. If you live with someone else and the utilities are in their name, ask them to bring the bill with a signed letter stating that you live there. The DMV will accept the bill plus the letter as proof of your residency.

Other documents that work include a property tax bill, a homeowner's or renter's insurance policy, a paystub from a California employer, or a government document like a court order or jury duty notice. The key is that it must show your name, your California address, and be recent enough that it reflects where you actually live.

Proof of legal presence in the United States

If you have a U.S. passport or passport card, you do not need a separate document — the passport covers both identity and legal presence. If you have a birth certificate, you also do not need anything else for this category, because a U.S. birth certificate proves you are a U.S. citizen.

If you were born outside the U.S. and have a consular report of birth abroad, that also proves legal presence. If you have a valid foreign passport with a U.S. visa stamp or an I-94 arrival/departure record inside it, that works too. If you have a green card (Permanent Resident Card), bring that — it proves both identity and legal presence.

If you have a work permit (Employment Authorization Document or EAD), bring that along with your passport or birth certificate. The work permit alone does not prove legal presence; you need it plus another identity document. If you are not sure whether your document proves legal presence, call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 before you go — they can tell you over the phone whether what you have will work.

What to do if a document is in another language

If your birth certificate, passport, or any other document is in a language other than English, bring both the original document and a certified English translation. A certified translation means a professional translator has signed and dated it, stating that the translation is accurate. You cannot use a translation you made yourself or one a friend made for you.

You can find certified translators through the American Translators Association website or by searching "certified translator" plus your language and county. The cost varies but usually runs $15 to $50 per document. Some counties offer free or low-cost translation services — call your county clerk's office to ask. The DMV will accept the original document plus the certified translation together.

Documents you do not need to bring

You do not need to bring your current driver's license or ID card, even though you are upgrading it. You do not need to bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order changing your name, unless your name on your identity document does not match the name you want on your Real ID. If your name has changed and your documents show different names, bring the court order or marriage certificate that explains the change.

You do not need to bring original documents for everything — photocopies work for Social Security cards, W-2 forms, tax returns, utility bills, and lease agreements. However, birth certificates, passports, and consular reports of birth abroad must be originals or certified copies. If you bring a photocopy of a birth certificate, the DMV will reject it and ask you to come back with the certified original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a digital copy of my utility bill or lease?

No, the DMV requires a physical printed copy or original document for residency proof. If your utility company only provides digital bills, print a copy from your account or ask the company to mail you a paper bill. Some banks and credit card companies allow you to print statements directly from their website, which works fine.

What if my name on my documents does not match?

Bring all the documents showing your different names plus a court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree explaining the change. The DMV will use these to verify that you are the same person and update your record to match the name you want on your Real ID.

Do I need to bring originals or are copies okay?

Birth certificates, passports, and consular reports must be originals or certified copies. Everything else — Social Security cards, W-2s, utility bills, leases, bank statements — can be photocopies or printed copies. The DMV will examine originals and return them to you.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You cannot get a Real ID without a Social Security number. If you do not have one, you will need to explore for one through the Social Security Administration first. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit ssa.gov to start that process. Once you have a number, you can then explore for Real ID.

Can I use an expired passport for Real ID?

Yes, an expired passport works for proving identity and legal presence. The DMV does not require your identity documents to be current. However, if you want to use your passport for travel, you will need to renew it separately through the State Department.