Do i really need my birth certificate to renew license
This site would function better if cookies/local storage was enabled. This will provide you with a Go Back option.
Driver license/identification card and REAL ID Checklist
Welcome to driver license/identification card and REAL ID Checklist
The driver license/identification card and REAL ID Checklist is an application that assists in preparing you for your Driver license office visit. All original, renewal or replacement driver license and identification cards issued, will now have a gold star to indicate they are Real ID compliant. You may visit the Federal Real ID Act page for further information. Just follow the steps, and at the end, you will have a customized checklist of which documents to bring for your driver license office visit.
If you are under 18 years of age, we recommend assistance from a parent or legal guardian when using this application to ensure you have the correct information. Some of the documents will be required from the parent or legal guardian and not the minor.
Note: Using the driver license/identification card and REAL ID Checklist does not guarantee you will be able to obtain a driver license or identification card; it simply helps you learn which documentation to bring in to prove your identity and residency.
Driver license/identification card and REAL ID Checklist
Notice of Surrender
You must surrender your current driver license or identification card, issued by another state, whenever you obtain a new Texas driver license or identification card.
Driver license/identification card and REAL ID Checklist
Make your visit here faster
Do you have all the documents listed below?
- An 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 an unexpired U.S. Passport Book or Card
- Social Security Card (actual card)
- Current Texas Vehicle Registration or Title (If you own a vehicle)
- Current automobile insurance policy, statement, or card (If you own a vehicle)
- If your name changed, legal documents showing proof of name change from your birth name
Notice: Laminated copies and photocopies may not be accepted.
Driver license/identification card and REAL ID Checklist
Is your full Legal Name different than the name on your documents?
If you are under 18 years of age, both your documents and your parent or legal guardian’s documents must contain the full legal name.
Show supporting legal documents for each time the name has changed.
Driver license/identification card and REAL ID Checklist
Your Full Legal Name
Select all supporting documents for each name change.
- Original or certified copy of Marriage License
- Original or certified copy of Divorce Decree
- Original or certified copy of Amended Birth Certificate
- Certified Court ordered Name Change
- Department of State Health Services Marriage Verification Letter
- Certificate of Naturalization (N-550, N-570, N-578)
- Annulment
- I have none of the above
Notice: If the document is not in English, a certified English translation must be submitted with the original document. Laminated copies and photocopies may not be accepted.
Driver license/identification card and REAL ID Checklist
Are you a U.S. Citizen?
Driver license/identification card and REAL ID Checklist
Proof of Citizenship and Proof of Identity Required
Select documents you will use to prove your Identity and Date of Birth, and/or Citizenship. If the document(s) chosen do not serve as proof of Identity and Date of Birth and proof of citizenship, this REAL ID Document Check application will indicate later which type of proof you still need.
Note: All documents must have the same Name and Date of Birth.
The Department will accept the following documents for Proof of Identity and Citizenship:
Select all the documents you have.
- Photo Texas driver license or Texas identification card, unexpired or expired within the last two years
- Valid, unexpired U.S. passport book or U.S. passport card
- U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization with identifiable photo (N-550, N-560, N-561, N-570, N-578)
- Unexpired U.S. military identification card for active duty, reserve or retired personnel w/ identifiable photo
- Unexpired U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) document with verifiable data and identifiable photo such as:
- U.S. Citizen Identification Card (I-179 or I-197)
- 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. Laminated copies and Photocopies are not accepted.
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/
- Original or certified copy of Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) (Form FS-240) Certificate of Report of Birth DS-1350,FS-545) issued by the U.S. Department of State. Laminated copies and photocopies are not accepted.
- Original or certified copy of a court order with name and date of birth indicating an official change of name and/or gender change from a U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or Canadian province (May not be laminated).
- I have none of the above
Note: If you have never been issued a birth certificate or other official document proving your identity or U.S. Citizenship and need further assistance, please send an email to REALID@dps.texas.gov . Be sure to include your full name, date of birth, and a telephone contact number where you can be reached.
Proof of Citizenship/Lawful Presence and Proof of Identity " template Get Notice-->
Driver license/identification card and REAL ID Checklist
REQUIRED: Proof of Citizenship/Lawful Presence and Proof of Identity
Unexpired and Expired U.S. Passport Books or Cards may not always verify electronically through the United States Passport Verification System (USPVS), which is required for the issuance of any driver license (DL), commercial driver permit/license (CLP/CDL), or identification card (ID). Due to this, you may wish to select another document for Proof of Citizenship.
Driver license/identification card and REAL ID Checklist
U.S. Nationals, Lawful Permanent Residents, Refugees and Asylees
Select the documents you will use to prove your Identity and Date of Birth and/or Lawful Presence. If the document(s) chosen do not serve as proof of identity and Date of Birth and proof of Lawful Presence, this REAL ID Document Check application will indicate later which type of proof you still need.
Note: All documents must have the same Name and Date of Birth.
Please select all the documents you have. Individuals must present an unexpired U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) document with verifiable data and identifiable photo such as:
- Valid, unexpired U.S. passport book or U.S. passport card stating, “THE BEARER IS A UNITED STATES NATIONAL AND NOT A UNITED STATES CITIZEN” on the last page
- Machine Readable Immigrant Visa with temporary I-551 language and ADIT stamp
- Unexpired foreign passport, visa (Visa may be valid or expired), with valid I-94
- Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- Permanent Resident Card (I-551)
• Permanent Resident Cards are official documents issued by USCIS that identify the holder as a lawful permanent resident of the United States. A Permanent Resident Card may not always include the holder’s signature. In limited cases, the signature requirement is waived for certain people, such as children under the age of consent or individuals who are physically unable to provide a signature.
• Since February 2015, USCIS has waived the signature requirement for people entering the United States for the first time as lawful permanent residents if they have obtained an immigrant visa abroad from a U.S. Embassy or consulate.
• When USCIS issues a Permanent Resident Card without a signature, the card will say “Signature Waived” on the front and back of the card in the signature area.
Temporary Visitor
A temporary visitor is anyone who is not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, refugee or asylee.
A temporary visitor who wants to apply for a limited term driver license or identification card must provide one of the documents above for verification through DHS. (Documents may be expired unless otherwise noted.)
Limited term licenses and identification cards issued to temporary visitors expire when the person’s period of lawful presence expires.
Driver license/identification card and REAL ID Checklist
Supporting Identity Documents
Individuals who do not have a primary document or two secondary documents can provide one secondary document and two supporting documents.
Please select two (2) documents (These will be your supporting documents).
- Social Security card (actual card)
- Form W-2 or 1099
- Driver license or identification card issued by another U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or Canadian province (unexpired or expired less than two years)
A driver licensing credential, such as a driver privilege card, issued in another jurisdiction that indicates it may not be used as a form of identification, may not be used to prove identity.
- Texas driver license or identification card that has been expired for more than two years (actual card)
- Temporary Texas driver license or identification card (actual receipt)
- School records* [e.g., report cards, photo identification cards, VOE (public, private, home schools)]
- Military records (e.g., Form DD-214, DD-215, NGB-22)
- Unexpired U.S. military dependent identification card (actual card)
- Veteran's Health identification card (VHIC) (actual card)
- Veteran’s identification card issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Original or certified copy of marriage license or divorce decree (if the document is not in English, the applicant must provide a certified translation)
- Valid, unexpired Texas voter registration card (actual card)
- Pilot license (actual card)*
- Concealed handgun license (CHL) or License to Carry (LTC) (actual card)*
- Professional license issued by a Texas state agency
- Identification card issued by a government agency*
- A valid consular document issued by a state or national government
- Texas inmate identification card or similar form of identification issued by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice parole or mandatory release certificate
- Federal inmate identification card
- Federal parole or release certificate
- Medicare or Medicaid card (actual card)
- Selective Service card (actual card)
- Tribal membership card from federally-recognized tribe
- Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB)
- Valid, unexpired foreign passport
- Insurance policy valid continuously for the past two years (e.g., auto, home or life insurance)
- Valid, unexpired Texas vehicle registration or title
- Valid, unexpired Texas boat registration or title
- Hospital-issued birth record*
- Original or certified copy of an Abstract (shortened) birth certificate issued by a State Bureau of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency from a U.S. state, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia
- Original or certified copy of an Abstract (shortened) birth certificate issued by a State Bureau of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency from a Canadian province
- Immunization records*
- I have none of the above
*This document is acceptable if issued by an institution, entity or government from a U.S. state, a U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or a Canadian province. Photocopies are not accepted.
Proof of Citizenship/Lawful Presence and Proof of Identity " template Get Notice-->
Driver license/identification card and REAL ID Checklist
REQUIRED: Proof of Citizenship/Lawful Presence and Proof of Identity
You do not have the required Documents. Please go back to select additional documents for Proof of Citizenship/Lawful Presence and Proof of Identity or select continue.
Two (2) Supporting documents are needed " template Get Notice-->
Driver license/identification card and REAL ID Checklist
REQUIRED: Two (2) Supporting documents are needed
Please go back to select additional Supporting documents for Proof of Identity or select Continue.
Please visit the Department's on-line Services web page for information about where to go to receive acceptable documentation.
https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/online-services
Driver license/identification card and REAL ID Checklist
Proof of Social Security Number (SSN)
The following documents must have the Social Security Number pre-printed or included as a part of the document and must be verifiable with the Social Security Administration:
Select one(1) document to prove your Social Security Number.
- Social Security card (actual card)
- IRS form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement
- SSA-1099 form
- A non-SSA-1099 form
- Pay stub (containing the applicant’s name and SSN)
- Military identification (active, reserve, retired or dependent status)
- Certificate of release or Discharge of Active Duty (DD-214)
- Certified college or university transcript designating number as SSN
- Health Insurance Card – (containing social security number)
- Pilot license (actual card)*
- I have none of the above
*This document is acceptable if issued by an institution, entity or government from a U.S. state, a U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or a Canadian province.
Driver license/identification card and REAL ID Checklist
No Proof of Social Security
Individuals utilizing the affidavit must certify to the following:
- never applied for a SSN
- never issued or assigned a SSN
- are not eligible for a SSN
- applied for and been denied a SSN due to ineligibility
Providing a false statement in connection with this affidavit will result in the cancellation of the driver license or ID card and may result in criminal charges. An affidavit is not acceptable for the issuance of a CDL.
Driver license/identification card and REAL ID Checklist
Verify Texas Residency
To verify Texas Residency, you must present two documents from the list below.
NOTE: All documents presented to prove residency must include the address that matches the address on the application. Both documents may be from the same source if the source is a local governmental entity that provides multiple residential services. For example, an individual may use a water and gas bill from the same municipal utility if they are on separate statements. Statements for the same service for different months are not acceptable.
Select Two (2) documents you have to prove Texas Residency.
- Current deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet or residential rental/lease agreement
- Pre-printed W-2, 1099, or 1098 tax form from an employer, government or financial entity for the most recent tax year
- Valid, unexpired Texas voter registration card (actual card)
- Valid, unexpired Texas Motor Vehicle Registration or Title
- Valid, unexpired Texas Boat Registration or Title
- Concealed handgun license (CHL) or License to Carry (LTC) (actual card)*
- Utility or residential service bill dated within 90 days of the application date. Examples of acceptable statements include, but are not limited to: electric, water, gas, internet, cable, streaming services, lawn service, and cellular telephone
- Pre-printed paycheck or payment stub, dated within 90 days of the application date
- Health or Medical Card – (containing residence address)
- Current homeowners or renters insurance policy, statement, or card
- Current automobile insurance policy, statement, or card
- Texas high school, college or university report card or transcript for the current school year
- Mail or printed electronic statements from financial institutions; including checking, savings, investment accounts, and credit card statements, dated within 90 days of the application date
- Mail or printed electronic statements from a federal, state, county or city government agency, or a third-party representing a government agency dated within 90 days of the application date
- Selective Service card (actual card)
- Current automobile payment booklet or statement
- Current documents issued by the U.S. military or Veteran’s Administration indicating residential address
- Current Form DS2019 or a document issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration services (noncommercial driver license and identification card only)
- Veteran's Health Identification Card (VHIC) (actual card)
- Document from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice indicating the applicant’s recent release or parole
- Letter of Texas residency issued by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD)
- Printout from the Secretary of State's website www.votetexas.gov verifying applicant's residence address
- I have none of the above
Two documents for Proof of Residency " template Get Notice-->
Driver license/identification card and REAL ID Checklist
REQUIRED: Two documents for Proof of Residency
Please go back to select additional documents for Proof of Residency or select continue. Applicants applying for a driver license, commercial driver license (CLP/CDL), or identification card must provide Two (2) documents for Proof of Residency. Both documents must contain your name and residential address.
- The residential address on both documents must be the same
- At least one document must verify you have lived in Texas for at least 30 days (the 30 day requirement is waived if you are surrendering a valid, unexpired driver license or identification card from another state, or if you are applying for a Texas CDL (commercial driver license)
- The two (2) documents must be issued by different companies or agencies (for example, you may not use a water bill and an electricity bill from the same company)
Note: All documents presented must contain your name and residential address.
If you are under 18 years of age and cannot show proof of residency, you may fill out a Texas Residency Affidavit found at the link below.