Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1696512257113.pdf (United States)
Obtaining a Virginia Driver’s License or Identification (ID) Card Required Documents One proof of identity One proof of legal presence Two proofs of Virginia residency • Two from the primary list, or • One from the primary list and one from the secondary list One proof of your social security number, if you’ve been issued one Current driver’s license if you are applying to exchange one issued by another U.S. state, territory or jurisdiction for a Virginia driver’s license Proof of name change if your name appears differently on your proof documents Most commonly used documents Primary Proof of Virginia Residency 1.
Deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement or residential rental/lease agreement 2.

U.S.

Postal Service change of address confirmation form or postmarked U.S. mail with forwarding address label 3.

Utility bill, not more than two months old, issued to the applicant (cell phone bills are not accepted) Secondary Proof of Virginia Residency 1.

Postmarked mail displaying the applicant’s name and current address 2.
Official document or correspondence from a federal, state, or local government agency displaying the applicant’s name and current address (DMV–issued documents without postmarked envelopes are not accepted) 3.

Billing statement or other official document from a recognizable business displaying the applicant’s name and current address Proof of Social Security Number 1.

Social Security card (Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers not accepted) 2.

U.S. Internal Revenue Service tax reporting W-2 form 3.
Payroll check stub issued by employer that shows full Social Security number U. S. citizens Proof of Identification and Legal Presence 1.

Official birth document issued by a U.S. state, jurisdiction or territory (birth documents issued by a hospital; notifications of birth registration; and Puerto Rico birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010 are not accepted) 2.

Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or U.S. passport card (temporary passports are not accepted) 3.

U.S.
U.S.

Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization Non-U.S. citizens Proof of Identification and Legal Presence 1.

Unexpired foreign passport with an unexpired or expired U.S. visa and unexpired I-94 or entry stamp 2.

Unexpired Employment Authorization Document (I- 766) AND USCIS form I-797 displaying applicant’s name (depending on the nature and purpose of the form, the I-797 may not be accepted) 3.
Unexpired Permanent Resident Card Temporary documents and photocopies will not be accepted.

All documents must be originals.

All documents will be subject to verification with the issuing entity, which may delay the issuance of your credential.

If you have official documentation, not listed below, that you believe meets DMV requirements, please present it to your local DMV office for review.

This list of acceptable documents may change without prior notice.
Note: You may redact (blackout/whiteout) your sensitive financial information.

Your Name Make sure your name appears the same on all proof documents.

If your middle name is not displayed, or only your middle initial appears on some of your documents, they may still be accepted.

Nicknames will not be accepted.


If your name appears differently on your proof documents, you will be asked to present additional documentation to connect the names such as a marriage certificate or civil union documents filed with a government agency or court, divorce decree or court order.

Note: Marriage licenses and marriage certificates signed only by the wedding officiant (for example, a member of the clergy) will NOT be accepted.
Proof of Identity Document(s) submitted as proof of identity must show your full legal name and date of birth.
• Official birth document issued by a U.S. state, jurisdiction or territory (birth documents issued by a hospital and notifications of birth registration and Puerto Rico birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010 are not accepted) • Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or U.S. passport card (temporary passports are not accepted) • Unexpired foreign passport with ONE of the following: º Unexpired U.S. visa and unexpired or expired I-94 or entry stamp º Unexpired I-551 stamp on a foreign passport, an unexpired or expired U.S. immigration visa, or an I-94 • Unexpired Employment Authorization Document (EAD- Form I-766) • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240) • Certificate of Birth Abroad (FS-545) • Certification of Report of Birth of a U.S. Citizen (DS-1350) • U.S.
Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or Form N-570) • U.S.

Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or Form N-561) • Valid, unexpired permanent resident card (Form I-551) • REAL ID compliant driver’s license or ID card Proof of Legal Presence Documents All first time applicants must present proof of legal presence.

Applicants whose Virginia credential has expired or been suspended, revoked or canceled will need to provide proof of legal presence prior to obtaining a new license or ID card.
Documents presented as proof of legal presence must show your full legal name and date of birth.

If the name on your legal presence document does not match the name you expect to use on your driver’s license or ID card, you will need to present evidence of your legal name change.

Note: Marriage licenses and marriage certificates signed only by the wedding officiant (for example, a member of the clergy) will NOT be accepted.
All documents will be subject to verification with the issuing entity, which may delay the issuance of your credential.

Applicants presenting official documentation issued by a federal court or federal agency showing an authorized stay in the United States may be eligible for a driver’s license or Identification card upon verification.
• Official birth document issued by a U.S. state, jurisdiction or territory (birth documents issued by a hospital and notifications of birth registration and Puerto Rico birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010 are not accepted) • Virginia Certificate of Foreign Birth (Documents displaying the statement “Not evidence of U.S. citizenship” are not accepted) • Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or U.S. passport card (temporary passports are not accepted) • U.S.
Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or Form N-570) • U.S.

Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or Form N-561) • Unexpired foreign passport with ONE of the following: º Unexpired U.S. visa and unexpired I-94 or entry stamp.
F1/F2 applicants must present an I-20; J1/J2 applicants must present a DS-2019 º Unexpired I-94W º Unexpired U.S. immigrant visa with temporary I-551 notation presented within one year of entry º Unexpired I-551 stamp • Unexpired Employment Authorization Document (EAD Form I-766) (not acceptable for REAL ID) • Unexpired passport from Canada or Micronesia with an unexpired I-94 or entry stamp (temporary passports are not accepted) • USCIS form I-797 displaying the applicant’s name (Depending on the purpose and nature of the form, the I-797 may not be accepted.
The I-797 for an I-765 application is not accepted.)
• Unexpired Permanent Resident card • Unexpired temporary I-551 stamp on an I-94, with photograph of the bearer • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240) • Certification of Report of Birth of a U.S. Citizen (DS-1350) • Certificate of Birth Abroad (FS-545) • Canal Zone Government Certificate of Live Birth (Panama Canal Zone) issued between February 26, 1904 and October 1, 1979 when presented with proof of the holder’s parent(s)’ U.S. citizenship at the time of the birth • U.S. Citizen Identification card (I-179, I-197) • Unexpired Re-entry Permit (I-327) • Unexpired Refugee Travel Document (I-571) • Form I-94 Record of Arrival and Departure stamped Refugee • Official letter from the U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) indicating one of the following: º º º the applicant’s application for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident has been reopened and restored to a pending status the applicant’s application for temporary protected status has been received and a duplicate notice cannot be issued the applicant has been granted deferred action (during period of deferred action) • Asylees may present documentation from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service or U.S. Immigration Court such as a Form I-94 stamped Asylee indicating that asylum has been granted.
• U.S. Internal Revenue Service tax reporting W-2 form or • Applicants for asylum may present an application for 1099 form not more than 18 months old asylum along with documentation from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service or U.S. Immigration Court indicating receipt of the application.

Proof of Virginia Residency You must present at least one document from the primary list of residency documents.

The second proof of residency may come from either the primary list or the secondary list.
Original documents must show your name and the address of your current Virginia residence as it appears on the application.

Documents printed from an online account may be accepted.

You must give a street address.

A post office box or business address is not accepted.

However, if you do not want your address of residence to appear on your driver’s license or ID card, you may request that an alternate mailing address be displayed.
This address must also be in Virginia and must be an address where you currently receive mail delivered by the U.S.

Postal Service.

If you change your residence or alternate mailing address to one outside Virginia, your driver’s license or ID card will be canceled.
Exceptions may be made for some individuals such as active duty military personnel and Virginia residents employed outside the U.S. (see publication DMV 143 Re-Establishing your Virginia Residency) Applicants under age 19 can have a parent or legal guardian certify their Virginia residency.

The parent or legal guardian must appear in person with the applicant and show proof of identification and two proofs of Virginia residency from the residency list.
Primary Proof of Virginia Residency Documents • Deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement or residential rental/lease agreement • U.S.
Postal Service change of address confirmation form or postmarked U.S. mail with forwarding address label • Virginia voter registration card mailed to you by your local registrar • Virginia driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, learner’s permit, or DMV-issued ID card displaying the applicant’s current Virginia address (unexpired or expired for no more than one year) • Cancelled check not more than two months old displaying the applicant’s name and address (voided checks are not accepted) • Certified copy of school records/transcript or official report card issued within the last year by a school accredited by a U.S. state, jurisdiction or territory • Virginia Department of Education Certificate of Enrollment form • Utility bill, not more than two months old, issued to applicant.
Examples include gas, electric, sewer, water, cable or phone bill.
(cellular phone bills are not accepted) • Monthly bank or credit card statement not more than two months old • Payroll check stub issued by an employer within the last two months • Receipt for personal property taxes or real estate taxes paid within the last year to the Commonwealth of Virginia or a Virginia locality • Annual social security statement for the current or preceding calendar year • Current homeowners insurance policy or bill • Current automobile or life insurance bill (cards or policies are not accepted • Medical or dental bill issued within the last two months • Virginia Offender Information Form • Approved Homeless Shelter Agreement Active duty military member assigned to a unit based in Virginia may present one of the following: • Letter from commanding officer on official letterhead, with an original signature, stating that the applicant resides onboard a ship docked in Virginia or in a barracks located in Virginia • Orders from the U.S. military assigning the applicant to a military unit with a Virginia address • Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) displaying Virginia as applicant’s home of record Secondary Proof of Virginia Residency Documents • Postmarked United States Postal Service (USPS) mail displaying the applicant’s name and current address • Official correspondence from a federal, state, or local government agency displaying the applicant’s name and current address (DMV issued documents without postmarked envelopes are not accepted) • Billing statement or other official document from a recognizable business or government agency displaying the applicant’s name and current address Proof of Social Security Number Virginia law requires DMV to collect your social security number (SSN); however, your SSN will not be displayed on your Virginia credential.
DMV will assign a customer number which will display on your credential.

The proof of SSN document you submit must display your name, and all nine digits of your SSN.

You will not be required to present a proof document if you know your SSN and DMV is able to electronically verify it.
• Social security card (individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers are not accepted) • W-2 form • Payroll check stub issued by employer • SSA-1099 form • Non-SSA-1099 form Proof of Name Change If the name listed on your proof of identity document does not match the name you want to appear on your driver’s license or ID card you will need to present document(s) that connect the name on the identity document to your current full legal name.
If you currently hold a valid Virginia driver’s license or ID card, you must present it along with one of the documents listed below for proof of your name change.

If you cannot present your Virginia issued credential, you must present one proof of identity from the primary document list in addition to one of the documents listed below as proof of name change.

• Marriage certificate or civil union documents filed with a government agency or court.
Note: Marriage licenses and marriage certificates signed only by the wedding officiant (for example, a member of the clergy) will NOT be accepted.

• Divorce decree if the decree states the change from married name to maiden name • Court order granting the name change Issuance with you if you are under age 18 on the date of the ceremony.

After completion of the ceremony, the court will distribute the license to you.
Veteran Indicator If you are a veteran, you may be eligible to add a veteran indicator to your Virginia driver’s license, commercial driver's license, learner's permit or identification card.

This indicator can serve as proof of veteran status to receive discounts from retailers and restaurants.
For information on which retailers and restaurants offer discounts for veterans, or for more information about veteran services available in Virginia, visit the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) website at www.dvs.viginia.gov.
To be eligible for the veteran indicator, you must have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and received an honorable or general discharge; hold an unexpired Virginia driver's license, commercial driver's license, learner's permit or DMV-issued ID card or be applying for one; and present DMV with a copy of a document (or combination of documents) that indicate branch of service, discharge date, and discharge status.
Acceptable documents to prove veteran status include: All documents will be subject to verification with the issuing entity, which may delay the issuance of your credential.
Applicants presenting official documentation issued by a federal court or federal agency showing an authorized stay in the United States may be eligible for a driver’s license or ID card upon verification • DD-214 • DD 256 • WD AGO • NGB 22 • Military Retiree Card (DD-2) You may hold either a driver’s license or an ID card, but not both.
Applicants that have successfully completed the driver’s license or ID card process will be issued either a temporary driving permit (valid for 30 days) or an ID card receipt.

You will receive your new driver’s license or ID card in the mail within 7-10 days.

Therefore, your address on file with DMV must be your current mailing address.

The U. S. Postal Service will not forward your credential.
In accordance with REAL ID regulations (6 CFR § 37.11), the following are eligible to apply for a REAL ID compliant driver's license or ID card: • Citizens of the United States • Legal Permanent Residents of the United States • Conditional Resident Aliens of the United States • Holders of a valid, unexpired nonimmigrant visa status Individuals with a pending or approved application for • asylum in the United States • Refugees • • • Individuals with a pending or approved application for temporary protected status in the United States Individuals with approved deferred action status Individuals with a pending application for adjustment of status to legal permanent resident status or conditional resident status All first time licenses issued to individuals under age 18 will be sent to the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in your locality.
The court will then notify you when and where to report for your licensing ceremony.

A parent or guardian must attend the ceremony For full eligibility requirements, visit www.dmvNOW.com/ veteranindicator Child Identification Card A parent or a legal guardian can obtain a child ID card for their child under age 15.

Applicants for a child ID card must appear in-person at a DMV customer service center.
A parent or legal guardian must present the following when applying: • One proof of legal presence document for the child • One identity document for the child • Proof of the child’s Social Security number, if one has been issued • Proof of a parent or legal guardian’s identification and two proofs of Virginia residency from the residency list Child ID cards expire on the last day of the customer’s month of birth in a year when they reach an age divisible by 5 (such as 5, 10, 15) unless the child is authorized to be in the U.S. for a limited duration period.
If a parent or guardian uses a legal presence document with a limited duration, the child’s ID will expire when the document expires.

Child ID cards issued to children age 13 or 14 will expire on their 16th birthday.

In addition to serving as an identity document, the child’s photograph is stored in DMV’s database.
If the child becomes missing, DMV can retrieve the image from the database and transmit it to law enforcement anywhere in the U.S. DMV 141 (08/05/2022) © The Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) 2022.

All rights reserved.