What to Bring with You to the DMV

When you go to the DMV to get a driver license, there are several items you’ll need to bring with you.

• You’ll need to provide a document that establishes your identity and birthdate. Documents that satisfy this requirement are your Birth Certificate, US Passport, US Armed Forces ID, Certificate of Naturalization, Permanent Resident Card, a foreign passport with a valid I-94. This document must be an original, not a photocopy.
• You’ll also need to provide proof of your Social Security Number. Your Social Security card will satisfy this requirement. Again, it must be an original, not a photocopy.
• Next, you’ll need to establish proof of residency (i.e., that you do indeed live in the state). Home utility bills, insurance documents, title or vehicle registration, or bank statements with your address on it all satisfy this requirement. These documents do not need to be originals, they can be photocopies.
• If the name on your document is different from the name on your driver license application, you must also bring acceptable true full name documentation. Examples of acceptable documents for this are adoption documents containing your legal name as result of adoption, name change document containing your legal name both before and after, marriage certificate, a certificate or registration document verifying the formation of a domestic partnership, or a dissolution of marriage document containing your legal name as a result of the court order.
• Some states require proof of completion of a driver education course if you are under a certain age.
• You’ll also need to provide a completed application for your driver license (you can usually find this online).
• Finally, you’ll need to pay a fee to get your driver license. Cash is generally not accepted, so be sure to bring a check or credit card.

Requirements for driver licensing can vary from state to state, so it’s a good idea to check your state’s DMV website to see what they require and to download your driver license application.