What documents do I need to obtain a REAL ID-marked driver's license or ID card?
Regardless of whether
you are a new applicant or current card holder, you must bring the same types
of documents to get a REAL ID-marked card.
You will need to make
an appointment
to go to an Iowa driver's license service
center
.
To
help applicants identify and gather the required documents, use the Iowa DOT's
online checklist
Prepare for Success. Simply answer a
few questions and the system will create a customized list of documents you
need to bring with you.
- Identity, date of birth and lawful status in the U.S. You must present one
of the documents listed below, as well as any documents proving your legal name
change history (if applicable).
- Social Security number. You must present one document listing your name
and full Social Security number, which we will use to verify your SSN through
the Social Security Online Verification (SSOLV) system.
- Iowa residency and current residential address. You must present two physical documents that include your
name and current Iowa residential address that demonstrate residency in the
state of Iowa. See examples of acceptable documents below.
Identity, date of birth, and lawful status: To document identity and
date of birth, you must submit one of the following documents.
- Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or U.S. passport card
- Certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a state of the
United States. (“State” includes the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the
Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands.) It must be a certified copy and have the stamp or raised seal
of the issuing authority. A hospital-issued certificate is not acceptable. A
certified birth certificate issued by Puerto Rico must be certified as being
issued on or after July 1, 2010.
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the U.S. Department of
State (Form FS-240, DS-1350, or FS-545)
- Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550,
N-570, or N-578)
- Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560, N-56,
or N-645)
- Unexpired Permanent Resident Card (Form
I-551), including an I-94 with attached photo stamped “I-551 Temporary Proof of
Lawful Permanent Resident” or a foreign passport stamped “Processed for I-551”
- Unexpired Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766)
- Record of Arrival and Departure (I-94) stamped “Refugee,”
“Parolee,” or “Asylee”
- Unexpired foreign passport accompanied by the
approved I-94 documenting the applicant's most recent admittance into the
United States
Driver’s
license personnel will determine if documents provided from this list are
authentic, valid, and acceptable. Digital, photocopies and faxes of the above
documents will NOT be accepted.
If you present a permanent
resident card, an employment authorization document, a refugee/asylee I-94, or
a foreign passport with I-94, we are required to verify the document, your
lawful status, and duration of stay through the United States Customs and
Immigration Services (USCIS) electronic verification system. In some instances,
a secondary inquiry will be necessary to verify the document presented. You
will not be issued a license or ID if your immigration document shows your
remaining status time is less than 30 days.
Social Security number (SSN): The Iowa DOT must verify
your SSN, name, and date of birth with the Social Security Administration at
the time of your application, through Social Security Online Verification
(SSOLV). To document your SSN, present one of the following documents that
contain
your name and full Social Security number.
- Your Social Security card
- W-2 form
- Social Security Administration Form 1099
- Non-Social Security Administration Form 1099
- Pay stub
- IRS form 1095-A, 1095-B, or 1095-C
- Bank statement
- Military document
- Any other document that lists your name and full Social Security Number (not just the last four digits)
If
you are a temporary foreign national not authorized for employment, you do not
have to document a SSN, but the Iowa DOT will be required to verify your
non-work authorized status. If you are eligible for employment but do not have
a SSN, you are required to obtain and present one.
The
Iowa DOT will electronically verify your name, date of birth, and SSN with the
Social Security Administration. Make sure your document is up to date and
accurate to avoid delay.
If you need to correct
or update information at the SSA, do so several days before you apply for a
driver's license or ID card. For information on how to do this, visit
www.ssa.gov. Your SSN will not be listed on your driver's
license or ID card. The Iowa DOT will assign you a unique driver's license or
ID number.
Iowa residency and current residential address: You must present two hardcopy documents that include your current name and Iowa
residential address. Examples of acceptable documents are listed below.
- An Iowa voter registration card.
- A valid Iowa vehicle registration certificate.
- Valid insurance card or certificate of coverage (life, health, auto, homeowner’s, or renter’s)
- Second valid insurance card or certificate of coverage (different than first)
- Utility hook up or bill (water, gas, electric, or garbage removal)
- Second utility hookup or bill (different than the first)
- Telephone hookup, service agreement or bill (landline or mobile)
- Statement from a financial institution (bank, credit union, or other financial institution)
- Second statement from a financial institution (different from the first)
- Personal check or deposit slip issued by a financial institution (you may mark this “VOID”)
- Credit, debit, or charge card statement
- Iowa residential mortgage, lease, or rental agreement (lease and rental agreements must include the landlord’s name and contact information)
- Application for homestead tax credit for Iowa residential property
- Application for military tax credit for Iowa residential property
- Valid real estate tax statement or receipt for Iowa residential property
- Pay stub or statement from your employer
- Your current school enrollment papers for an Iowa public or private school
- Current school enrollment papers for a dependent child in an Iowa public or private school
- A federal, State of Iowa, or local government document (such as a receipt, license, permit, assessment, professional or trade license, or other document)
- Second federal, State of Iowa, or local government document (different than the first)
- An envelope, box, postcard, or magazine that includes a postmark or stamped date
- Iowa driver's license or ID card that has not been expired for more than one year
Other items may be
accepted subject to review and approval by Iowa licensing personnel.
The residential address
you supply must be a street or highway address. It may not be a post office
box. In areas where a number and street name have not been assigned, an address
convention used by the U.S. Postal Service is acceptable. (You may use a post
office box as your mailing address.)
If you are a minor (see
below), the consent form signed by your parent, guardian, or custodian will
establish your residence and residential address without additional
documentation.