SHAREProof requirements for a permit, license or non-driver ID
To get your first NYS permit, license or non-driver ID, or to reapply if it expired more than 2 years ago, you must prove your
- date of birth by providing an acceptable document from the list below, and
- name by providing
- your Social Security Card (SSN) or an ineligibility letter 1, and
- one or more other documents that total 4 points
Please note that
- your signature must be on at least one document
- your documents must be original or certified by the issuing agency, unless you send us the proofs by mail 2
Also, that you cannot provide
- an expired document, unless noted in the list below
- more than one of the same type of proof 3, including more than one US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) document
- documents that have been altered in any way 4
If you have a valid NYS DMV photo document or a NYS DMV photo document that can be renewed, you can use that document to meet the required 6 points for proof of name and proof of date of birth (if required). If DMV has no record of your social security number, you must also meet the Social Security requirements. Enhanced documents require proof U.S. Citizenship and NYS Residence.
Acceptable proofs of name and date of birth (DOB)
Document | Point Value | Date of Birth? |
US or US Territory Birth Certificate that shows your first and last name
| 0 | YES |
Tribal Birth Certificate from a Federally recognized tribe, proving birth in the U.S. | 0 | YES |
US DOS Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240, DS-1350, F-545) | 0 | YES |
NYS Photo Driver License, Permit or Non-Driver ID Card (must be current or expired for less than two years) | 6 | YES |
US State Department issued Passport or Passport Card | 4 | YES |
Statement of Identity and/or Residence (MV-45) You can only use this if you are under age 21. The statement must be signed by parent or legal guardian in the presence of a DMV representative. Your parent or guardian must present 6 points of proof. | 4 | NO |
| 4 | NO | |
Statement of Identity for Applicants who can be Considered a Disenfranchised Homeless Youth (MV-45B) | 4 | NO |
US Military Photo ID Card (issued to active, reserve, and retired military personnel only) | 3 | YES |
Certificate of Citizenship (N-560, N-561 or N-645) | 3 | YES |
Certificate of Naturalization (N-550, N-570 or N-578) | 3 | YES |
Valid Employment Authorization Card (I-688B or I-766) with photo, issued by DHS | 3 | YES |
Permanent Resident Card (I-551) | 3 | YES |
Reentry Permit (I-327) | 3 | YES |
Refugee Travel Document (I-571) | 3 | YES |
Foreign Passport with a valid I-551 stamp or with a statement on the Visa (must be in English or translated by an embassy) | 3 | YES |
Foreign Passport with a Visa and a valid I-94 issued by DHS
| 3 | YES |
Welfare/Medicaid/NY Food Stamp Card with photo | 3 | NO |
Welfare/Medicaid/NY Food Stamp Card without photo | 2 | NO |
NYS Interim License/Permit without photo | 2 | NO |
NYS or NYC Pistol Permit | 2 | NO |
NYS Professional License | 2 | NO |
NYS Registration Document (vehicle or boat only) | 2 | NO |
NYS Certificate of Title | 2 | NO |
Out-of-State ENHANCED Driver License/Learner Permit/Non-Driver ID Card (Must be current or expired no longer than two years) | 2 | YES |
Photo Driver License issued by another US State, jurisdiction, Canadian Province or territory (must be current or expired no longer than 2 years) | 2 | NO |
St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Photo ID Card | 2 | NO |
Canadian Birth Certificate with St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Photo ID Card | 2 | YES |
US Military Dependent ID Card | 2 | NO |
US College ID Card With Photo and Transcript | 2 | NO |
US High School ID Card with Report Card | 2 | NO |
US Marriage or Divorce Record OR Court Issued Name Change Decree | 2 | NO |
US Social Security Card | 2 | NO |
US Computer Printed Pay Stub (must have your name) | 1 | NO |
US Employee ID Card | 1 | NO |
US High School Diploma OR GED (General Equivalency Diploma) | 1 | NO |
US Supermarket Check Cashing Card with signature and pre-printed name | 1 | NO |
US Union Card | 1 | NO |
US Health Insurance Card/Prescription Card | 1 | NO |
US Life Insurance Policy (in effect at least 2 years) | 1 | NO |
US Utility Bill (must include your name and address) | 1 | NO |
Veterans Universal Access Photo ID Card | 1 | NO |
W-2 Form (must have your Social Security number on it) | 1 | NO |
Only one of these items, if issued by the same financial institution, can be accepted
| 1 | NO |
Need help finding enough proofs of ID?
You may have more proof than you think. Here are some ideas for how you can gather enough proofs of ID.
IMPORTANT: Making a false statement in an application or in any proof or statement in conjunction with it, or deceiving or substituting, or causing another person to deceive or substitute in connection with such application, is punishable as a Class A misdemeanor pursuant to Section 210.45 of the Penal Law for Non-Driver card applicants, and is a misdemeanor under Section 392 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law for driver license applicants, and may result in the revocation or suspension of your license.
- 1. If you are not eligible to have a Social Security Card, you must show documents that total 6 points from the list of acceptable documents on this page and a letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA) that was issued within 30 days of your application to DMV
The letter must state that you are not eligible to have the card. You must also show the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) documentation that was used by the SSA to determine that you are not eligible. - 2. If DMV allows you to send your application by mail, you must send photocopies. Do not send the original documents.
- 3. For example, 3 major credit cards count as one credit card.
- 4. DMV will confiscate all documents that appear to be fraudulent for review by DMV's Investigations Unit. If you submit a fraudulent document, you may be subject to criminal prosecution.
