Getting a REAL ID requires bringing the right documents to your state DMV in one visit. As of February 1, 2026, TSA is fully enforcing REAL ID rules at all U.S. airport checkpoints, with a new $45 ConfirmID backup for travelers who show up without acceptable identification. For most people, showing up at the DMV with the wrong mix of papers still costs another trip, another appointment, and often weeks of waiting.
This checklist shows every document type that counts in the four federally required categories: proof of identity and lawful status, proof of your Social Security number, two proofs of residency, and (if applicable) proof of a legal name change. It also lists the REAL ID alternatives that TSA accepts at airport checkpoints, so you know what to do if your state-issued REAL ID is delayed or unavailable.
Every document must be an original or certified copy. Photocopies, mobile photos, laminated cards, and scans are not accepted at the DMV counter for the four federal categories. A certified copy is one issued by the originating agency with a raised seal or an official stamp, not a notarized photocopy.
Under the REAL ID Modernization Act, the federal rule no longer requires you to physically present an SSN document at the DMV if the state can verify your number electronically. However, most state DMVs still ask for an SSN document at the counter, so plan to bring one. As reported by VisaVerge.com, your state-issued card counts as REAL ID compliant only when it shows a gold or black star in the upper corner.
The rules below apply to both U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. Visa holders with an approved Form I-94 can also apply using a foreign passport paired with their immigration documents. Applicants under 18 do not need REAL ID to fly domestically, as TSA does not require identification from minors on domestic flights.
Processing times vary by state. DMVs typically mail the physical card within 2 to 6 weeks, and some states take even longer. The paper interim ID you receive at the counter is not valid at TSA checkpoints, as federal rules do not accept temporary paper receipts for air travel.
U.S. Birth Certificate (state-issued)
Must be the official certified copy issued by the state vital records office, with a raised seal. Hospital souvenir certificates are not accepted.
Must not be expired. The passport book and the wallet-sized passport card both qualify on their own, with no birth certificate needed.
U.S. Department of State
Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551, Green Card)
Must be valid and unexpired. Green card holders must also show an unexpired foreign passport or separate photo ID in many states.
USCIS Green Card page
Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
Form N-550, N-560, or N-570, issued by USCIS. Do not laminate the original, as some states reject laminated certificates at the counter.
Unexpired Foreign Passport with Form I-94
For visa holders. Pair the foreign passport with a printed I-94 from the CBP website and any EAD or visa-related documents your state requires.
CBP I-94 retrieval
Tip
If your name on the identity document differs from your current legal name, you also need every name change document in the chain, not just the most recent one.
Social Security Card
The original signed card issued by the Social Security Administration. Name on the card must match the name on your identity document.
Replace a lost SSN card
W-2 Form (most recent)
Must show the full 9-digit SSN, not a truncated version. Many modern employer W-2s now mask the first five digits and are therefore not accepted.
SSA-1099 or Non-SSA-1099
Benefits statements from Social Security or tax documents from financial institutions, as long as the full SSN is printed.
Pay Stub with Full SSN
Accepted by some states when the stub shows the employee name, employer, and unmasked SSN. Call your state DMV first, as many states have stopped accepting this.
Caution
Under the REAL ID Modernization Act, the federal government no longer requires a physical SSN document, but most state DMVs still do. Always check your state checklist before the appointment.
Utility Bill (electric, gas, water, internet, cable)
Must be dated within the last 60 to 90 days and show your full name and residential address. Mobile phone bills are often rejected because the address may be a billing address only.
Bank or Credit Card Statement
Printed or PDF statement from a U.S. bank or card issuer showing your name and current address. ATM-printed balance slips do not count.
Mortgage Statement or Deed
Current mortgage bill or the recorded deed for a home you own. Must show your name and the residential property address.
Signed Lease or Rental Agreement
Active lease listing you as a tenant. Month-to-month renewals and rent receipts are usually not accepted without a signed lease on file.
Residency Affidavit from Household Member
Use when you live with a parent, spouse, or roommate whose name is on the bills. You will need their proof of residency plus a signed affidavit, typically on a state DMV form.
Tip
The two residency documents must come from two different sources. Two utility bills from the same provider, or a bank statement and a credit card statement from the same institution, usually count as one source.
Marriage Certificate
Official certified copy from the county or state where the marriage was recorded. Church-issued souvenir certificates do not qualify.
Divorce Decree Naming the Change
Court-certified divorce decree that explicitly restores the maiden name or sets a new legal name. A decree without the name provision is not enough on its own.
Court Order for Legal Name Change
Signed and certified court order from a civil name change proceeding. Required whenever you changed your name outside of marriage, divorce, or naturalization.
Fully acceptable at every TSA checkpoint. If you already have a valid U.S. passport, you do not need a REAL ID at all to fly domestically.
Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL)
Issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont. These are accepted in place of a REAL ID and also work for land and sea entry from Canada and Mexico.
DHS Trusted Traveler Card
Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST. These biometric cards are accepted at TSA checkpoints for domestic flights.
Department of Defense ID or Veteran Health ID Card
Active-duty military IDs, common access cards, and VA-issued veteran health IDs are accepted for domestic flights.
Digital ID in State-Approved Wallet
TSA accepts digital IDs through Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet, and CLEAR at participating airports. Only state-issued digital credentials qualify, not photos of a physical card.
TSA ConfirmID ($45, 10-day validity)
Launched February 1, 2026. Lets travelers without acceptable ID verify identity through TSA biometrics and database checks. Expect 10 to 30 minutes of additional screening.
Warning
The paper interim REAL ID the DMV hands you at the counter is not accepted by TSA, even though it is valid for driving. Fly with your passport or another alternative until the permanent card arrives by mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bring one proof of identity and lawful status (U.S. birth certificate, valid passport, green card, naturalization certificate, or foreign passport with Form I-94), one SSN document showing the full 9-digit number, two different proofs of residency dated within the last 60 to 90 days, and any marriage certificates, divorce decrees, or court orders if your name has changed.
No. Every document for the four federal categories must be an original or a certified copy with a raised seal or official stamp from the issuing agency. Photocopies, phone photos, scans, and notarized duplicates are rejected at the DMV counter, even when the underlying document is valid.
Yes, if you have another acceptable ID. TSA accepts U.S. passports, passport cards, Enhanced Driver’s Licenses from five states, DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST), Department of Defense IDs, and state-issued digital IDs in approved wallets. Without any of these, you can pay $45 for TSA ConfirmID, valid for 10 days.
The REAL ID Modernization Act removed the federal requirement for a physical SSN document when the state can verify the number electronically, but most state DMVs still require one at the counter. Bring your Social Security card, a W-2 with the full unmasked SSN, an SSA-1099, or a current pay stub showing the complete number.
You need two different documents showing your full name and current residential address. Accepted items include utility bills (electric, gas, water, internet, or cable), U.S. bank or credit card statements, mortgage statements or deeds, and signed lease agreements. The two documents must come from two different sources, not two bills from the same provider.
No. The paper interim document the DMV gives you at the counter is valid for driving but is not accepted at TSA checkpoints. Fly with a U.S. passport, passport card, or another TSA-accepted alternative until your permanent REAL ID card arrives in the mail, which typically takes 2 to 6 weeks.
No. TSA does not require passengers under 18 to show identification on domestic flights within the United States. The adult flying with the minor must present an acceptable ID, but the child does not need a REAL ID, passport, or other federal credential for domestic travel.
Bring the full chain of name change records, not just the most recent one. If you changed your name multiple times through marriage, divorce, or court order, provide a certified marriage certificate, a divorce decree that explicitly states the name change, or a court order for legal name change covering every step from the name on your identity document to your current legal name.
