REAL ID Checklist - California DMV

REAL ID Checklist - California DMV

REAL ID Checklist

• Proof of Identity * Required
  To apply for a REAL ID, you must present several documents, including ONE proof of identity document from the list below. This document must include your date of birth and your full name (first, middle, and last). More information on documents.

  Check mark the document below that you’ll use as your proof of identity.

  • Valid U.S. passport or passport card (Preferred)
  • Original or Certified copy of U.S birth certificate (issued by a city, county, or state vital statistics office). “Abbreviated” or “Abstract” certificates are NOT accepted.

• Two Proofs of Residency * Required

  To prove that you live in California, you must present TWO DIFFERENT printed documents that show your California mailing address. BOTH documents must show your first and last name with the same mailing address that is listed on your REAL ID application.

  Check mark the TWO different documents below that you’ll use as your proof of California residency.

  • Home utility bill or cellular phone bill (Preferred)
  • Records from any state or national bank, state or federal savings association, trust company, industrial loan company, state or federal credit union, or any institution or entity that has issued a credit card
  • Insurance documents, including medical, dental, vision, life, home, rental or vehicle
  • Medical documents
  • A document issued by a U.S. government agency, meaning the entity, office, or authority governing over a country, state, county, city, municipality, district, agency, department, or any other political subdivision of a country or state
  • Mortgage bill
  • Employment documents
  • Tax return (either Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) Faith-based document that includes the name and address of organization)
  • Rental or lease agreement with the signature of the owner/landlord and the tenant/resident
  • School documents issued by a public or private primary, secondary, or post-secondary institution, college, or university that includes the applicant’s date of birth. If using a foreign school document, it must be sealed by the school and include a photograph of the applicant at the age the record was issued.
  • Change of Address Confirmation by the U.S. Postal Service
  • Property tax bill or statement
  • Letter attesting that the applicant resides in California from a homeless shelter, shelter for abused women, non-profit entity, faith-based organization, employer or government agency within the United States
  • Deed or title to residential real property
  • Voter registration confirmation letter or postcard issued by the California Secretary of State or a local California county elections officer
  • Proof of payment of resident tuition at a public institution of higher education in California
  • An original copy of an approved Claim for Homeowners’ Property Tax Exemption (BOE-266) form filed with a local California County Assessor
  • Court documents that list the applicant as a resident of California
  • California Certificate of Vehicle or Vessel Titles or registration
  • A DMV No Fee Identification Card Eligibility Verification (DL 933) form, completed and signed
  • If your name does not appear on any residency documents, you may present a birth certificate, marriage license, or domestic partner registration certificate to trace your relationship to the person whose name DOES appear on the residency documentation.
  • If the residency document reflects a name that differs from the tracing document due to a name change (for example, marriage, divorce, or court order), additional name change documentation will be required as evidence of the name change.

Get Your Documents

The following list contains the documents you need to bring with you to a DMV field office. You can print this list for future reference.

Your identity document:

Make sure it is up to date and correct.

• Original or Certified copy of U.S birth certificate (issued by a city, county, or state vital statistics office). “Abbreviated” or “Abstract” certificates are NOT accepted.

Your residency documents.

Residency documents can be printed from the Internet.

• Home utility bill or cellular phone bill (Preferred)
• Records from any state or national bank, state or federal savings association, trust company, industrial loan company, state or federal credit union, or any institution or entity that has issued a credit card
• Insurance documents, including medical, dental, vision, life, home, rental or vehicle
• Medical documents
• Mortgage bill
• Tax return (either Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) Faith-based document that includes the name and address of organization)
• Property tax bill or statement
• Deed or title to residential real property
• Voter registration confirmation letter or postcard issued by the California Secretary of State or a local California county elections officer

Documents must be originals or certified copies and unexpired, unless otherwise noted. DMV staff will verify all documents presented. Your documents will be processed and returned to you. The checklist provides guidelines that may not cover every individual situation. The checklist covers the California Department of Motor Vehicles REAL ID requirements.Using the REAL ID Checklist does not guarantee you are eligible to obtain a REAL ID card. There are driver’s license and ID card fees associated with applying for a REAL ID card, also knowledge and/or vision tests may be required. DMV field offices accept payment by check, money order, cash, or ATM/Debit cards for payment of fees. An individual can only receive one REAL ID card, either a REAL ID driver’s license or a REAL ID identification card, an individual cannot have both.

What to do next:

• Print your REAL ID checklist.
• Fill out the DL/ID Application Online.
• Make an appointment to visit a field office.
• Visit our What is REAL ID webpage to learn more.