To get a state ID card at the BMV, you need documents in four categories: proof of identity, proof of legal presence in the United States, proof of your Social Security number, and two documents showing your residential address. These BMV ID requirements come from the federal REAL ID Act, and every state motor vehicle agency applies the same four categories when issuing a compliant credential. If your current name differs from the one on your identity document, you also need certified paperwork linking the two names. Bringing the wrong version of the right document is the single most common reason people walk out without an ID.
Proof of Identity and Legal Presence
One document can usually cover both identity and legal presence at the same time. For U.S. citizens, the most straightforward options are:
- A valid, unexpired U.S. passport.
- A certified birth certificate from the vital statistics office of the state where you were born, bearing an official seal or stamp. Hospital-issued commemorative certificates do not count, and neither do laminated copies.
- A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240, DS-1350, or FS-545) for citizens born outside the country.
- A Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570).
- A Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561).
Lawful permanent residents can present an unexpired Permanent Resident Card.1eCFR. 6 CFR 37.11 – Application and Documents the Applicant Must Provide
If you are in the U.S. on a temporary visa, bring your unexpired foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa and your I-94 arrival/departure record.1eCFR. 6 CFR 37.11 – Application and Documents the Applicant Must Provide Refugees, asylum applicants, people with Temporary Protected Status, and those with deferred action are also eligible for ID cards; the REAL ID Act lists each category as valid grounds for issuance.2Department of Homeland Security. REAL ID Act Text An ID issued to a temporary visa holder generally expires when the authorized stay expires rather than following the standard renewal cycle.
Every identity document must be an original or a certified copy. Photocopies, printouts of scanned documents, and laminated birth certificates get rejected at the counter.
Proof of Your Social Security Number
The clerk needs to verify your SSN against federal records, so you need a document that shows your name alongside the full nine-digit number. Your physical Social Security card is the simplest option. If you can’t find it, federal regulations also accept a W-2, an SSA-1099, a non-SSA-1099, or a pay stub that displays both your name and your full SSN.1eCFR. 6 CFR 37.11 – Application and Documents the Applicant Must Provide
If you are not eligible for a Social Security number, which applies to certain noncitizens without work authorization, you can demonstrate ineligibility instead. The Social Security Administration issues a denial letter (Form SSA-L676) when it cannot process an SSN application.3Social Security Administration. Form SSA-L676 – Refusal to Process SSN Application Some states accept this letter in place of an SSN document, but not all do. Call your local motor vehicle office before your visit to confirm, because the SSA itself cautions that the letter does not serve as proof of citizenship or work authorization status.
Two Proofs of Residential Address
Federal REAL ID standards require at least two documents showing your name and the street address where you live.1eCFR. 6 CFR 37.11 – Application and Documents the Applicant Must Provide The two-document minimum is universal; the specific accepted documents vary by state.4USAGov. How to Get a REAL ID and Use It for Travel Commonly accepted items include utility bills, bank statements, lease agreements, mortgage statements, and insurance policies.
Both documents must be recent. States set their own cutoffs: some require documents from the past 60 days, others allow up to 180 days. Check your state’s website before you visit. The address printed on both documents must match each other and must match what you write on the application. A small discrepancy such as a missing apartment number, or “Street” on one and “St.” on the other, is enough to get the application flagged.
A P.O. Box address by itself generally does not satisfy residency, because the point is to verify a physical location where you actually live.
If You Don’t Have Standard Residency Documents
People who live with family, have recently relocated, or are experiencing homelessness often lack utilities or a lease in their own name. Several states allow a letter or affidavit from the person you live with, accompanied by that person’s own proof of address. Many states also run programs that let certified social service providers vouch for the residency of someone without a fixed address, using the provider’s address or a contact address on the credential. Contact your local motor vehicle office or state website to see which alternative options apply where you live.
Name Change Documentation
If any of your identity documents show a different name than the one you currently use, the clerk has to trace a paper trail from the name on your birth certificate (or other primary identity document) to the name you want printed on your ID. Each link in that chain requires a certified copy, not a photocopy.
The usual linking documents are a certified marriage certificate, a divorce decree that restored a former name, or a court order for a legal name change. If you have changed your name more than once, through multiple marriages or a combination of marriage and court order, you need every document in the chain, not just the most recent one. A missing link is one of the more common reasons applications stall mid-visit.
REAL ID or Standard ID
The requirements above apply to REAL ID-compliant cards, which carry a star marking in the upper corner. Since May 7, 2025, federal agencies including the TSA only accept REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and ID cards at airport security checkpoints, federal buildings, and nuclear power plants.5Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID Standard (non-compliant) state IDs remain valid for everyday purposes such as cashing a check, proving your age, or dealing with local government, but they will not get you through TSA screening or into a restricted federal facility.6Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions
You can still fly domestically without a REAL ID if you have a valid U.S. passport, passport card, or another federally accepted ID like a military ID.7Transportation Security Administration. Are You REAL ID Ready If your state card will be your only photo ID, you want the REAL ID version. If your state still offers a standard-only option, the process is usually simpler, but the card has fewer uses.
Getting an ID for a Minor
Children can get a state ID at any age in most states, but a parent, legal guardian, or other responsible adult has to sign the application and come to the office with the minor. The same four document categories apply, though the specifics look different in practice because a child typically has no utility bills or bank statements in their own name.
For identity, a certified birth certificate is the standard document. For residency, states often accept documents in a parent’s name showing the family’s address, supplemented by school records or medical documents that connect the child to the household. A legal guardian who is not a biological parent should bring guardianship paperwork from the court. If the signing adult cannot be present during the visit, many states require that adult’s signature on the application form to be notarized in advance.
Photo Standards
The photo is part of the card’s security features, so standards are strict. You will be asked to remove eyeglasses, hats, and head coverings before the photo is taken. Your full face has to be visible from forehead to chin with both eyes showing and a neutral expression, mouth closed.
Religious head coverings are the main exception. If you wear one daily for sincerely held religious beliefs, you can keep it on for the photo as long as your full face stays visible with no shadows obscuring any features. Most states require you to sign an affidavit confirming the religious nature of the covering. Medical head coverings may also be permitted with a doctor’s note.
Fees and What Happens at the Counter
Many states let you schedule an appointment online, and appointments are almost always faster than walk-ins, where wait times at high-volume offices can run an hour or more. At the counter, a clerk reviews each document, verifies your information against federal databases, and processes your application. You will have your photo taken and, for a driver’s license, complete a brief vision screening.
Fees for an initial ID card typically run between $10 and $50 depending on your state and the type of credential. Some states offer reduced fees or complete waivers for seniors, people receiving public assistance, and veterans with service-connected disabilities. Payment methods vary by location but usually include cash, checks, and credit or debit cards.
Once the clerk approves your paperwork and takes payment, you receive a temporary paper document that serves as valid identification until the permanent card arrives. The permanent card is manufactured at a central facility and mailed to your home address, typically within about two to three weeks.