What Documents You Need for California Real ID

California Real ID documents you must bring to the DMV

California requires six categories of documents to get a Real ID driver's license or ID card. You need proof of identity, Social Security number, California residency, and lawful presence in the United States. The DMV will not process your process without all of them, so gathering everything before you go saves a trip back.

You do not need to bring originals of every document — the DMV will accept copies of some items. However, you must bring originals of your identity document and proof of lawful presence, because staff will examine them in person and may need to verify them with issuing agencies.

Key Takeaways

You must bring six types of documents: one identity document, proof of Social Security number, two California residency documents, one lawful presence document, and one document showing your current legal name if it differs from your birth name.
Your identity document must be an original — a passport, passport card, consular ID, tribal ID, or military ID — and the DMV will examine it in person.
Proof of lawful presence must also be original; acceptable documents include a U.S. birth certificate, passport, visa, employment authorization card, or permanent resident card.
California residency requires two separate documents showing your name and current address, such as a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.
Bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a Social Security benefit statement — the DMV accepts any one of these to verify your number.

Identity documents the DMV will accept

Your primary identity document must be an original and must show your photograph. The DMV accepts a valid U.S. passport, passport card, consular identification card issued by your country's consulate, a tribal ID card issued by a federally recognized tribe, or a military ID card. If your passport or passport card is expired, you can still use it for Real ID purposes — the DMV does not require it to be current.

If you do not have any of these documents, you cannot get a California Real ID. The DMV does not accept state ID cards from other states, school IDs, work IDs, or expired driver's licenses from any state. You would need to obtain a passport or consular ID first, which involves a separate process process outside the DMV.

Proof of Social Security number

Bring one document showing your Social Security number. The DMV accepts an original or copy of your Social Security card, a W-2 form from your employer, a 1099 form (such as a 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC), or a Social Security benefit statement from the Social Security Administration. If you receive Social Security benefits, your benefit statement is often the easiest option because you can print it from your online account or call 1-800-772-1213 to request one.

If you have lost your Social Security card, you do not need to replace it before explore for Real ID. Any of the other three documents will work. If you do not have a Social Security number, you cannot get a California Real ID — the DMV requires it for all applicants.

California residency documents

You must bring two separate documents proving your name and current California address. Both documents must be dated within the last 60 days. Acceptable documents include a utility bill (gas, electric, water, internet, or phone), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, a bank or credit union statement, a pay stub from your employer, or a government document such as a tax return or benefit statement.

The two documents must show different information — for example, a utility bill and a lease are acceptable together, but two utility bills from the same company are not. If you live with someone else and the documents are in their name, bring a signed letter from the property owner or leaseholder stating that you live there, along with one document in their name and one in yours.

If you have recently moved and do not yet have documents dated within 60 days at your new address, bring documents from your old address along with a signed letter from your new landlord or property owner confirming your move-in date. The DMV may accept this combination, though you should call your local office first to confirm.

Proof of lawful presence in the United States

You must bring an original document proving you are lawfully present in the United States. Acceptable documents include a U.S. birth certificate, a U.S. passport or passport card, a visa in your passport, an employment authorization card (EAD), a permanent resident card (green card), a refugee travel document, a tribal ID card, a military ID card, or a consular ID card. If your document is expired, you can still use it — the DMV does not require lawful presence documents to be current.

If you were born outside the United States, your birth certificate must be an official certified copy issued by the vital records office in the state or country where you were born. A photocopy or a birth certificate from a hospital is not acceptable. If you do not have a birth certificate and cannot obtain one, you may be able to use a visa, green card, or employment authorization card instead.

Name change documents

If your legal name has changed since your identity document was issued — through marriage, divorce, court order, or other means — bring a document showing the change. Acceptable documents include a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or adoption papers. Bring the original or a certified copy.

If you changed your name but your identity document still shows your old name, the DMV will issue your Real ID in your new legal name. You do not need to update your identity document first, though you may want to do so eventually for consistency.

What to bring to the DMV appointment

Organize your documents in the order the DMV requests: identity document, Social Security proof, residency documents, lawful presence document, and name change document if applicable. Bring originals of your identity and lawful presence documents; copies are acceptable for everything else. Bring your current California driver's license or ID card if you have one, or your out-of-state license if you do not.

The DMV will photograph you and take your fingerprints at your appointment. Wear something you are comfortable being photographed in, and avoid wearing a hat or sunglasses. Bring your completed process form DL 44 or ID 44, which you can fill out online before your appointment or at the DMV office. Bring payment for the Real ID fee, which varies depending on whether you are renewing or replacing your license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photocopy of my birth certificate instead of the original?

No. If you are using a birth certificate as your proof of lawful presence, it must be an official certified copy from the vital records office. A photocopy or hospital-issued birth certificate will not work. You can order a certified copy online or by mail from the vital records office in the state or country where you were born.

What if my residency documents are older than 60 days?

The DMV will not accept them. If you have recently moved, bring documents from your old address along with a signed letter from your new landlord or property owner confirming your move-in date. Call your local DMV office before your appointment to confirm they will accept this combination, because policies can vary by location.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card, or can I bring a W-2 instead?

You can bring any one of the four acceptable documents: your Social Security card, a W-2, a 1099, or a Social Security benefit statement. A W-2 or benefit statement is often easier if you have lost your card, since you do not need to replace it first.

Can I use my passport card as my identity document for Real ID?

Yes. A passport card is a valid identity document for Real ID purposes. It must be original and valid (though an expired passport card is still acceptable). You cannot use it as your proof of lawful presence and your identity document at the same time — you need two separate documents.

What if I was born outside the United States and do not have a birth certificate?

You can use a visa, employment authorization card, permanent resident card, or other lawful presence document instead. Bring the original to your DMV appointment. If you want to obtain a birth certificate, contact the vital records office in the country where you were born, though this can take weeks or months.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.