Iowa law requires that anyone applying for an Iowa driver’s license or ID card must show documents that prove they are a U.S. citizen or are legally allowed to live in the United States.
U.S. Citizens - Required Documents
You must provide one of the following:
- A valid, unexpired passport
- A certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate
- A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240, DS-1350, or FS-545)
- A Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570)
- A Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561)
Photocopies or unofficial copies cannot be accepted; documents must be original or certified copies.
Obtaining Birth Certificates and Other Vital Records
Certified copies of birth, marriage, and other vital records can be requested from the state where the event occurred.
Iowa Vital Records
Certified copies of Iowa birth, marriage, and other vital records may be obtained through an Iowa county recorder's office or the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Some older records and records involving adoptions, legal name changes, or other special circumstances must be requested through Iowa HHS.
For information about obtaining Iowa vital records, including eligibility, fees, and ordering options, visit Iowa HHS – Request a Certified Record.
Out-of-State Vital Records
If you need a record from another state, contact the vital records office in the state where the event occurred.
If You Don’t Have These U.S. Citizenship Documents
If you are a U.S. citizen but cannot obtain one of the documents listed above because of circumstances beyond your control, you may apply for a U.S. Citizenship Documentation Exception Request.
The exception process allows you to submit other documentation for Iowa DOT to review as evidence of your U.S. citizenship. Approval is not automatic, and additional documentation may be requested.
If you have questions about whether an exception may apply to your situation or need assistance with the exceptions process, please contact [email protected] .
Replace or Amend a Consular Report of Birth Abroad
As a U.S. citizen, you can request a replacement or amended Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) for yourself, or your child born abroad. Find out how to replace or amend a Consular Report of Birth Abroad.
If Your Legal Name Is Different From Your Citizenship Document
You may also need to provide documentation connecting the name on your citizenship document to your current legal name, such as a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
If you have had more than one legal name change, documentation may be needed to establish the complete name-change history.
Not a U.S. Citizen - Required Documents
Please provide your current immigration documents so Iowa DOT can verify your lawful presence in the United States.
Requirements for REAL ID
The citizenship or lawful-presence requirement is separate from the additional documents required for a REAL ID. If you would like the REAL ID, you will also need to provide:
- Documentation showing your Social Security number; and
- Two pieces of mail showing your current name and Iowa residential address.
Staff can help you determine whether additional documents are required.