Identification Requirements

Primary Identity Documents

Only one primary document is required to prove identity.

• Texas driver license or Texas identification card not expired more than 2 years (proof of citizenship will be required if not previously established)
• Unexpired U.S. passport book or card
• U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization with identifiable photograph (N-560, N-561, N-645, N-550, N-55G, N-570 or N-578)
• Unexpired Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services document with verifiable data and identifiable photo, such as one of the following: 
  • U.S. Citizen Identification Card (I-179 or I-197)
  • Permanent Resident Card (I-551)
  • Foreign passport with attached temporary I-551 (immigrant visa endorsed with ADIT stamp)
  • Temporary Resident Identification Card (I-688)
  • Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
  • U.S. Travel Document (I-327 or I-571)
  • Advance Parole Document (I-512 or I-512L)
  • I-94 stamped Sec. 208 Asylee with photo
  • I-94 stamped Sec. 207 Refugee with photo
  • Refugee Travel Letter with photo, stamped by Customs and Border Protection
  • American Indian Card (I-872)
  • Northern Mariana card (I-873)
• Foreign passport with attached visa and Form I-94
• Unexpired U.S. military ID card for active duty, reserve or retired personnel with identifiable photo

Secondary Identity Documents

Two secondary documents are required to prove identity.

• 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 a Canadian province*
• For U.S. citizens born abroad—Certificate of Report of Birth (DS-1350 or FS-545) or Consular Report of Birth (FS-240) issued by the U.S. Department of State
• Original or certified copy of a court order with name and date of birth indicating a name and/or gender change from a U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or a Canadian province

*NOTE: The Texas Department of Safety no longer recognizes Puerto Rican birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010 as a valid proof of identification.

Supporting Identity Documents

One secondary document (center column) and two supporting documents are required to prove identity.

• Social security card
• Form W-2 or 1099
• Driver license or ID card issued by another U.S. state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia or Canadian province (unexpired or expired less than two years)
• Texas driver license or ID card that has been expired more than two years
• Temporary Texas driver license or ID card
• School records (e.g., report cards, photo ID cards)
• Unexpired U.S. military dependent identification card
• Original or certified copy of marriage license or divorce decree (if the document is not in English, a certified translation must accompany it)
• Voter registration card
• Pilot license
• Concealed handgun license or License to Carry
• Professional license issued by a Texas state agency
• ID card issued by a government agency
• Consular document issued by a state or national government
• Texas Inmate ID card or similar form of ID issued by Texas Department of Criminal Justice
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice parole or mandatory release certificate
• Federal inmate identification card
• Federal parole or release certificate
• Medicare or Medicaid card
• Selective Service card
• Immunization records
• Tribal membership card from federally-recognized tribe
• Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood
• Unexpired foreign passport
• Unexpired insurance policy valid for the past two years (e.g., auto, home or life insurance)
• Current Texas vehicle registration or title
• Current Texas boat registration or title
• Veteran's ID card issued by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
• Abstract (shortened) birth certificate
• Hospital-issued birth record*
• Military records (e.g., Form DD-214, DD-215, NGB-22)