The documents the California DMV requires for Real ID

To get a Real ID in California, you need to bring proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, proof of California residency, and proof of your legal name change if one applies to you. The DMV has a specific list of documents they will accept for each category — a utility bill alone will not work, and neither will a passport by itself. You must bring originals or certified copies; photocopies are not accepted.

The Real ID process requires you to show documents in person at a DMV office. You cannot complete this part online or by mail. Bring everything at once, because if you are missing even one document, the DMV will not process your process that day.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring an original or certified copy of each document; the DMV does not accept photocopies or digital images.
  • Proof of identity, Social Security number, residency, and legal name (if applicable) are the four categories the DMV checks.
  • A passport counts as proof of identity and citizenship but does not replace the need for proof of residency and Social Security number.
  • The DMV publishes its full list of acceptable documents on its website, organized by category, so you can confirm what you have before you go.

Proof of identity documents California DMV accepts

Your proof of identity must show your name, date of birth, and a photo. The DMV accepts a current or expired U.S. passport, a passport card, a military ID, a tribal ID, or a foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa. If you do not have any of these, you can use a California ID card or driver's license from another state, though it cannot be expired by more than six months.

If you have none of the above, the DMV has a secondary list: a certified birth certificate, a court order, a certificate of naturalization, or a permanent resident card (green card). These documents alone do not have a photo, so you will also need to bring a document from the primary list that has expired no more than one year ago.

Proof of Social Security number

The DMV accepts a Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. The document must show your full Social Security number. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you are not may be able to access for one.

If you were born outside the United States and your birth certificate does not list a Social Security number, bring the birth certificate along with one of the documents above. The DMV will not ask you to obtain a new Social Security number; they will record what you bring.

Proof of California residency

You must show that you live in California now. The DMV accepts a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a property tax bill, a vehicle registration, an insurance bill, a bank or credit card statement, or a government check. The document must show your name and a California address, and it cannot be more than two months old.

If you live with someone else and the bill is in their name, bring a signed letter from that person stating that you live there, along with the bill. If you are homeless, bring a letter from a shelter or social services agency on their letterhead stating your situation and the date you became homeless.

Proof of legal name change

If your name has changed since you were born — through marriage, divorce, court order, or any other reason — bring a document showing the change. The DMV accepts a marriage certificate, a divorce decree, an adoption decree, or a court order. If you changed your name through marriage and later divorced, bring both the marriage certificate and the divorce decree.

If you were born outside the United States and your name appears differently on different documents, bring all of them. The DMV will use the documents to determine which name to record on your Real ID.

What to bring in addition to required documents

Bring your current California driver's license or ID card if you have one. Bring your Social Security card even if you are bringing a W-2 or tax return, because it speeds up the process. If you are renewing a Real ID that is expiring, bring the expiring card itself.

Bring a completed process form DL 44 or DL 44/REAL ID if you are explore for the first time, or form DL 44 if you are renewing. You can fill this out at home and bring it completed, or fill it out at the DMV office. Bring proof of your California residency address even if it matches your current ID, because the DMV checks this every time.

Documents you do not need and common mistakes

You do not need to bring a passport to get a Real ID, even though a passport is accepted as proof of identity. Many people bring a passport thinking it covers everything, then find out they still need proof of residency and proof of Social Security number. A passport alone is not enough.

Do not bring photocopies. The DMV will not accept them. Do not bring digital images on your phone. Do not assume a document is acceptable because it has your name on it — check the DMV's list first. Do not bring documents that are more than two months old for residency, or more than six months expired for identity. The DMV's rules on document age are strict.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my birth certificate as proof of identity?

A birth certificate alone is not enough. It counts as proof of identity only if you also bring an expired ID or driver's license from any state that expired no more than one year ago. If you have neither, bring your birth certificate along with a passport, military ID, or tribal ID instead.

What if my residency document is in my spouse's name?

Bring the document in their name along with a signed letter from your spouse on their own stationery stating that you live at that address. The letter should include the date and both of your names. The DMV will accept this combination as proof of residency.

Do I need to bring originals or can I bring certified copies?

The DMV accepts both originals and certified copies. A certified copy is a photocopy stamped and signed by the government office that issued the original. Photocopies you make yourself are not accepted. If you do not have an original, contact the issuing agency to request a certified copy.

What if I was born outside the United States and my documents are in another language?

Bring the original documents in their original language along with a certified English translation. A certified translation is one completed by a professional translator and stamped as accurate. The DMV will not translate documents for you, so you must arrange this before you go.

Can I get a Real ID if I do not have a Social Security number?

Yes. Bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you are not may be able to access for a Social Security number. The DMV will process your Real ID without one. You will still need proof of identity, residency, and legal name if applicable.