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Identification Requirements

Individuals must complete additional requirements to obtain a driver license or ID card.

To help reduce identity theft, individuals must present documents to verify their identity when applying for a driver license or identification card.

There are three ways an individual can verify his/her identity:

  1. Bring one item listed in the “Primary Identity Documents” category or
  2. Bring two items listed in the “Secondary Identity Documents” category or
  3. Bring one item listed in the “Secondary Identity Documents” category and two documents listed in the “Supporting Identity Documents” category

The information on the documents, such as name and date of birth, must all match. If the name is different on each document, then the individual must provide documents that verify a legal name change. If other information on the document is different, speak with a License and Permit Specialist for assistance.

If you are using a name other than what is on your birth certificate, (example: married name), you will be required to show legal documentation of name change. Documents must be original or certified copy. Certified documents should not be laminated. No photocopies can be accepted.

Acceptable documents:

  1. Marriage license
  2. Divorce decree
  3. Original or certified copy of a revised birth certificate
  4. Court ordered name change
  5. Department of State Health Services marriage verification letter

Documents listed in any of the following categories may be expired unless otherwise noted.

NOTE: A brochure listing all of the following documents is available for download.

   Primary Identity Documents

An individual can present one primary document. No other documents are required to verify identity if one primary document is provided.

Primary identity documents include:

  • Texas driver license or Texas identification card not expired more than 2 years
  • Unexpired U.S. passport book or card
  • U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization with identifiable photograph (N-560, N-561, N-645, N-550, N-55G, N-570 or N-578)
  • Unexpired Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services document with verifiable data and identifiable photo, such as one of the following:
    1. U.S. Citizen Identification Card (I-179 or I-197)
    2. Permanent Resident Card (I-551)
    3. Foreign passport with attached temporary I-551 (immigrant visa endorsed with ADIT stamp)
    4. Temporary Resident Identification Card (I-688)
    5. Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
    6. U.S. Travel Document (I-327 or I-571)
    7. Advance Parole Document (I-512 or I-512L)
    8. I-94 stamped Sec. 208 Asylee with photo
    9. I-94 stamped Sec. 207 Refugee with photo
    10. Refugee Travel Letter with photo, stamped by Customs and Border Protection
    11. American Indian Card (I-872)
    12. Northern Mariana card (I-873)
  • Foreign passport with attached visa and Form I-94
  • Unexpired U.S. military ID card for active duty, reserve or retired personnel with identifiable photo
   Secondary Identity Documents

Individuals who do not have a primary document can present two secondary documents. No other documents are required to verify identity if two secondary documents are provided.

Secondary identity documents include:

  • Original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a State Bureau of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency from a U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or a Canadian province. Laminated copies are not accepted.

    Birth Certificate must:
    • Be issued by the city, county, or state of birth
    • List the applicant's full name, date of birth and place of birth
    • List the parent(s)' full name
    • Have the signature of the city, county, or state registrar
    • Have the date filed with registrar's office (must be within one     year of birth)
    • Have the seal of issuing authority
    NOTE: Because Puerto Rican statute provides that Puerto Rican birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010 are no longer valid, the Department cannot recognize these birth certificates as proof of identification or lawful presence. For more information please select the following link. http://prfaa.pr.gov/birthcertificatesnd2.asp
  • For U.S. citizens born abroad—Certificate of Report of Birth (DS-1350 or FS-545) or Consular Report of Birth (FS-240) issued by the U.S. Department of State
  • Original or certified copy of a court order with name and date of birth indicating a name and/or gender change from a U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or a Canadian province
   Supporting Identity Documents

Individuals who do not have a primary document or two secondary documents can provide one secondary document (from the list above) and two supporting documents.

Supporting identity documents include:

  • Social security card
  • Form W-2 or 1099
  • Driver license or ID card issued by another U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or Canadian province (unexpired or expired less than two years)*
  • Texas driver license or ID card that has been expired more than two years
  • Temporary Texas driver license or ID card
  • School records* (e.g., report cards, photo ID cards)
  • Unexpired U.S. military dependent identification card
  • Original or certified copy of marriage license or divorce decree (if the document is not in English, a certified translation must accompany it)
  • Voter registration card*
  • Pilot license*
  • Concealed handgun license or License to Carry*
  • Professional license issued by a Texas state agency
  • ID card issued by a government agency*
  • Consular document issued by a state or national government
  • Texas Inmate ID card or similar form of ID issued by Texas Department of Criminal Justice
  • Texas Department of Criminal Justice parole or mandatory release certificate
  • Federal inmate identification card
  • Federal parole or release certificate
  • Medicare or Medicaid card
  • Selective Service card
  • Immunization records*
  • Tribal membership card from federally-recognized tribe
  • Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood
  • Unexpired foreign passport
  • Unexpired insurance policy valid for the past two years (e.g., auto, home or life insurance)
  • Current Texas vehicle registration or title
  • Current Texas boat registration or title
  • Veteran's ID card issued by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
  • Abstract (shortened) birth certificate
  • Hospital-issued birth record*
  • Military records (e.g., Form DD-214, DD-215, NGB-22)

*The document must be issued by an institution, entity or government from a U.S. state, a U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or a Canadian province.