The documents Pennsylvania requires for Real ID

Pennsylvania's Real ID requires you to bring five categories of documents to a PennDOT office: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, proof of Pennsylvania residency, proof of legal name change (if applicable), and proof of lawful status in the United States. You cannot get a Real ID by mail — you must appear in person at a PennDOT Driver License Center.

The specific documents that work for each category vary. A document that proves your identity might not prove your residency, and a document that works for one person may not work for another depending on your citizenship status. This section walks through what counts in each category so you can gather the right papers before you go.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring one document from each of five categories: identity, Social Security number, Pennsylvania residency, legal name change (if you changed your name), and lawful status.
  • A valid U.S. passport or passport card counts as proof of identity, Social Security number, and lawful status all at once, so bringing one reduces the number of documents you need.
  • Proof of residency must show your current name and current address, and a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement from the past 60 days usually works.
  • If you were born outside the United States, you will need a birth certificate from your country of origin plus a document showing you are lawfully in the U.S., such as a green card or visa.
  • PennDOT offices accept documents in person only — you cannot submit them by mail or online.

Proof of identity documents that PennDOT accepts

A valid U.S. passport or passport card is the easiest proof of identity because it also counts as proof of Social Security number and lawful status. If you have one, bring it and you have covered three of the five categories.

If you do not have a passport, PennDOT accepts a certified birth certificate issued by the state or county where you were born. The certificate must be an official copy with a raised seal or embossed seal — a photocopy or a certified copy printed on plain paper will not work. If you were born in Pennsylvania, you can order one from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. If you were born in another state or country, contact the vital records office in that state or country.

Other documents that work for identity include a valid driver's license or ID card from another state, a military ID card, a tribal ID card issued by a federally recognized tribe, or a valid foreign passport. Each must be current and not expired.

Proof of Social Security number

If you bring a U.S. passport or passport card, you do not need a separate Social Security document. If you do not have a passport, bring your Social Security card itself. PennDOT will not accept a photocopy — it must be the original card.

If you have lost your Social Security card and cannot get a replacement before your appointment, you can bring a W-2 form, 1099 form, or other tax document that shows your Social Security number. You can also bring a letter from the Social Security Administration that includes your number. Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to request a letter, or visit your local Social Security office in person.

Proof of Pennsylvania residency

Your proof of residency must show your current name and your current Pennsylvania address. The document must be dated within the past 60 days. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, or a property tax bill all work. If you rent and do not have a lease in your name, a letter from your landlord on their letterhead stating your name and address is acceptable.

Other documents that work include a bank or credit card statement, a homeowner's or renter's insurance policy, a vehicle registration, or a Pennsylvania voter registration card. The key is that the document must be recent (within 60 days) and must show both your name and your current address.

If you have recently moved and your old address still appears on your documents, bring two documents instead of one — for example, a utility bill from your new address plus a lease or mortgage statement. PennDOT staff can see that you have moved and will accept the combination.

Proof of legal name change (if you changed your name)

If your name on your birth certificate or other identity document does not match the name you use now, you must bring proof of the legal change. This applies whether you changed your name through marriage, divorce, court order, or any other legal process.

For a name change through marriage, bring your original or certified marriage certificate. For a name change through divorce, bring your divorce decree or final divorce judgment showing your new name. For a court-ordered name change, bring the court order itself. Each document must be an official copy with a seal — a photocopy will not work.

If you do not have the original document, contact the court or office that issued it. A marriage certificate comes from the county clerk's office in the county where you were married. A divorce decree comes from the court that handled your divorce. A name change order comes from the court that issued it.

Proof of lawful status in the United States

If you are a U.S. citizen born in the United States, a valid U.S. passport, passport card, or certified U.S. birth certificate covers this requirement. If you are a U.S. citizen born outside the United States, bring your Certificate of Naturalization or your Consular Report of Birth Abroad.

If you are not a U.S. citizen but are lawfully in the country, bring one of these documents: a green card (Permanent Resident Card), a valid visa, a work permit (Employment Authorization Document), a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) document, or a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) card. Each must be current and not expired.

If your document is close to expiring, bring it anyway. PennDOT will accept it as long as it is not yet expired on the day you appear. If it has already expired, you will need to renew it through the appropriate federal agency before you can get a Real ID.

What to bring on the day of your appointment

Gather all five categories of documents before you go to a PennDOT Driver License Center. Bring the originals — photocopies will not be accepted. If a document has a seal or embossed mark (like a birth certificate or marriage certificate), the seal must be visible and intact.

Bring your documents in a folder or envelope so they do not get bent or damaged. PennDOT staff will examine each one, make a copy for their records, and return the originals to you. The process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes once you are called, though wait times at the office itself vary by location and time of day.

If you are unsure whether a document will work, call the PennDOT Customer Service Center at 1-717-787-2937 before your appointment. They can tell you whether a specific document meets the requirement and can help you figure out what to bring if you are missing something.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a hospital birth certificate or a photocopy instead of a certified birth certificate?

No. PennDOT requires a certified copy with a raised or embossed seal issued by the vital records office in the state or country where you were born. A hospital birth certificate and photocopies do not meet the requirement. Order a certified copy from the vital records office before your appointment.

What if my name on my documents does not match because of a recent marriage?

Bring your original or certified marriage certificate along with your birth certificate or other identity document. PennDOT will accept the combination as proof that your name change was legal. You do not need a court order if you changed your name through marriage.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card if I have a passport?

No. A U.S. passport or passport card counts as proof of Social Security number, so you do not need to bring your card separately. The passport covers three of the five required categories on its own.

What counts as proof of residency if I just moved to Pennsylvania?

A utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or property tax bill dated within the past 60 days and showing your current Pennsylvania address works. If you moved recently and your documents still show an old address, bring two documents showing the transition, or bring a letter from your landlord on their letterhead with your current address and move-in date.

Can I submit my documents by mail or online instead of going in person?

No. Real ID requires you to appear in person at a PennDOT Driver License Center. You cannot submit documents by mail, email, or through an online portal. Schedule an appointment on the PennDOT website or call 1-717-787-2937 to find a location near you.