Proof of Identity

To apply for a driver's license, learner's permit, commercial driver's license (CDL), or CDL instruction permit you must bring two identification documents, proof of Virginia residency and proof of social security number. To apply for a photo identification card you must bring two identification documents and proof of Virginia residency.

Neither temporary documents nor photocopies of documents will be accepted. All documents must be originals and all documents may be subject to verification with the issuing entity prior to acceptance. DMV may require additional documents. DMV will not accept a document as proof of identity, residency or social security number when there is reason to believe it has been altered, fraudulently obtained or is fake, forged, counterfeit or otherwise non-genuine or illegitimate.

Falsifying information on a driver's license, learner's permit or photo ID card application is a criminal offense. Altering or assisting a person with improperly or fraudulently obtaining a driver's license, learner's permit, CDL, CDL instruction permit or photo ID card are also criminal offenses.

The acceptable documents listed may change without prior notice.

Documents submitted as primary proof of identity must show your full legal name and date of birth. Nicknames will not be accepted. You must present at least one document from the primary list of documents. The second proof of identity may come from either the primary list or the secondary list. If two of your proofs of identity are issued by the same entity, such as the same state agency, DMV may require additional proof of identity documents. Individuals under the age of 19 are required to provide only one proof of identity from the primary list.

Primary Documents

>>Virginia DMV-issued driver's license unexpired or expired for not more than one year.
Virginia DMV-issued learner's/instruction permit unexpired or expired for not more than one year. If presented by an individual 19 years old or over, the learner's/instruction permit must have been issued after September 21, 2001.
Virginia DMV-issued photo identification card (excluding child ID cards) issued after September 21, 2001 unexpired or expired for not more than one year.
>>Unexpired driver's license or learner's/instruction permit (with photo), not less than 60 days old, issued by a U.S. state (other than Virginia), jurisdiction or territory (foreign country and international driver's licenses are not accepted).
Birth certificate issued by a U.S. state, jurisdiction or territory. (birth registration cards and foreign birth certificates are not accepted).
>>Unexpired photo ID card, not less than 60 days old, issued by a U.S. state (other than Virginia), jurisdiction or territory (school/employee ID cards and Native American citizenship cards are not included).
>>Unexpired U.S. military ID card of an active duty or retired member (ID cards of military dependents are not acceptable as primary identity documents).
>>Unexpired U.S. passport.
>>Unexpired foreign passport with an expired or unexpired visa, I-94 or I-94W or I-551 stamp. An I-94W MUST be from a country participating in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program.
U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (form N-550, N-570 or N-578).
U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (form N-560 or N-561).
U.S. Citizen Identification Card (form I-197).
>>Unexpired Temporary Resident Card (form I-688).
>>Unexpired Employment Authorization Card (form I-688A, I-688B or I-766).
>>Unexpired Refugee Travel Document (form I-571).
>>Unexpired Resident Alien Card, Permanent Resident Card, Northern Marianas Card (form I-551).
Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America (form FS-240) or Certification of Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America (Form DS-1350)
A copy of the first and last page of an application for asylum (Request for Asylum in the United States) provided the pages are accompanied by either a receipt from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) showing the application has been filed or documentation verifying the application is pending in immigration court; OR documentation indicating a decision to grant asylum by the Asylum Office or the original of a document granting asylum issued by an immigration judge or the INS. Either or both of these documents will count as one primary document.

Secondary Documents

Any document marked with a double arrow (>>) on the list of primary identity documents, expired for not more than five years.
U.S. Selective Service Card.
Court order for adoption, name change or gender change from a U.S. state, jurisdiction or territory. Must contain court seal. Abstracts of criminal or civil convictions are not acceptable.
U.S. military discharge papers (form DD214).
Certified copy of school records/transcript issued by a U.S. state, jurisdiction or territory or by a state-accredited private school OR a Virginia Department of Education Certificate of Enrollment form (a report card is not acceptable).
Medicare Card/Medicaid Card.
Unexpired welfare/social services identification card with photo, issued by a municipality.
Marriage license issued by a U.S. state, jurisdiction, territory or municipality.
Unexpired military dependent ID card, with photo.
Unexpired weapons or gun permit issued by federal, state or municipal government.
Unexpired U.S. pilot's license.
INS form I-797 (applicable only for individuals whose names appear on the form).
U.S. Department of State form IAP-66 signed prior to September 1, 2002 OR U.S. Department of State form DS-2019 (applicable only for the individuals whose names appear on the form).
Veterans Universal Access Identification Card.
Authorization for Parole of an Alien into the United States (form I-512).
Virginia Criminal Justice Agency Offender Information Form.
United States Probation Offender Information Form.
INS form I-20 with SEVIS bar code and INS stamp accompanied by an original letter on school letterhead verifying the student's current enrollment (applicable only for individuals whose names appear on the form).