Documents for proof of identity

You'll need to prove your identity and provide your social security number (if you have one) to get a driver license, instruction permit, or ID card. When you visit a driver licensing office, please bring the documents you have chosen.

What documents can I bring?

The following document combinations will meet our standards to prove your identity:

• Option one: 1 stand-alone document
• Option two: 2 A-list documents
• Option three: 1 A-list document and 2 B-list documents
• Option four: 4 B-list documents, 1 of which must list both your name and birth date

Stand-alone documents

• Any identity document we have on file for you (driver license, learner permit, ID card, EID/EDL, etc.).
  • May be expired up to 1 year
• Valid U.S. passport or passport card
• U.S. state or territory-issued ID, driver license, or learner permit (valid or expired for no more than 1 year)
• Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization (must have your photo and signature)
• Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
• Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766)
• Re-entry Permit (Form I-327)
• Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571)
• Border Crossing Card (Form DSP-150)
• Valid U.S. military Common Access Card or Uniformed Services ID Card
• Verification Letter from Department of Social and Human Services (DSHS), Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Western State Hospital, or Eastern State Hospital
• Youth Verification Packet or Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance (ORIA) Verification Packet
• Federal Bureau of Prisons Release ID Card

A-List documents

• U.S. passport or passport card that expired up to 1 year ago
• U.S. visa
• Foreign passports with I-94, I-551 Alien, Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunication (ADIT) stamp, or temporary I-551
• Federally recognized Indian tribal enrollment card with a signature and photo
• U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs ID card with signature and photo
• U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization with photo, signature, and your photo is not recognizable (e.g. a baby photo and now you're an adult)
• Consulate ID, electoral ID, or ID from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, or Peru
• Japanese driver license
• Expired ID, driver license, or learner permit from a US state or territory issued up to 6 years ago
• Verification ID letter from an agency supervising you and that we have an agreement with (contact your supervising agency and have them send us the verification ID letter). We currently have agreements with:
  • Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC)
  • U.S. Federal correction authorities (FDOC)
  • Department of Social and Health Services Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (DSHS JRA)
• Washington Department of Corrections (DOC) offender ID badge

B-List documents

Documents that show name and date of birth 

• Adoption papers
• Certified birth certificate or birth registration card, from the U.S. or foreign 
• Certified birth certificate from Puerto Rico 
  • We will accept birth certificates as proof of Puerto Rican citizenship issued on or after July 1, 2010.
  • We can't accept birth certificates from Puerto Rico issued before July 1, 2010.
  • If yours was issued before July 1, 2010, you can get a new copy from the Government of Puerto Rico E-Government Site.
• Certified birth registration card that shows your name, date of birth, place of birth, file date, and issue date
• Concealed weapon permit
• Consular report of birth abroad
• Foreign ID or driver license
• Nexus, Sentry, or FAST card
• Merchant Mariner Credential
• U.S. Armed Forces DD Form 214
• U.S. passport that expired more than 1 year ago
• Expired U.S. state or territory ID, driver license, or learner permit
• Veteran ID Card
• Ward of the Court Decree or Order of Dependency

Documents that show name and date of birth or signature or photo

• Clearance letter or driving record from another state's licensing office — Issued in the last 30 days
• Social Security card
• Certified marriage license/certificate
• Certified divorce decree 
• Government employee ID card (state or federal) with signature and photo
• Police employee ID card issued by a Washington city or county
• Professional license (nurse, physician, engineer, etc.)
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
• Veteran Administration Identification with photo
• Selective Service card
• Medicare card (not a DSHS Medical Services Card)
• School record from Mexico with seal and picture of an individual at age of issue
• School transcript or record or Forms I-20 or DS-2019 for foreign exchange students
• School yearbook or copy certified by the school with a recognizable photo

Alternative document options

For alternative document options, you must bring ALL documents on your list to meet requirements.

For applicants age 25 and younger:

• Parent or guardian with proof of identity that meets WA identity standards
• Document establishing applicant's name and date of birth
• Document connecting applicant relationship with parent or guardian

For applicants with court-assigned guardians:

• Court assigned guardian with proof of identity that meets WA identity standards
• Court decree assigning guardianship
• Document establishing name and date of birth of applicant

For applicants enrolled in Job Corps:

• Document that establishes name and date of birth
• U.S. Job Corps ID card

For applicants with federal corrections agency or Department of Corrections documents:

• Federal corrections agency or Department of Corrections ID letter
• Federal corrections agency or Department of Corrections offender ID badge
• Social Security number match in system

Document tips

• We do not accept copied, scanned, or photographed documents.
• If you bring a standalone or A-list document that has a photo that doesn't clearly identify you, we can only accept it as a B-list document.
• We may ask for more documents to verify your identity.
• We check your documents in person. If any are intentionally false or misleading, you will not be allowed to reapply for one year.

Why do I need to provide my Social Security number?

We verify your Social Security number with the Social Security Administration and use it to help enforce child support laws. If you apply for a driver license, you must provide it or sign a declaration saying you don't have one. If you apply for a commercial driver license (CDL), you must have a Social Security number and show proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency (see a list of approved documents).