Proof requirements for New York State vehicle registrations or title certificates

To register a vehicle or get a title, you need to prove your 

  • date of birth (DOB) by providing one acceptable document from the list below 1, and 
  • name by providing one or more documents that total 6 points

A NYS license, permit, or ID that is current or expired for less than 2 years meets both requirements. 

Please note that

  • your signature must be on at least one of your documents
  • your documents must be the original or certified by the issuing agency
  • if another person gives DMV your registration or title application, that person must provide
    • a photocopy of your NYS driver license, permit or non-driver ID, and
    • that person's own original license, permit or non-driver ID

Also, that you cannot provide

  • more than one of the same type of proof 2
  • an expired document, unless noted in the list below
  • documents that have been altered in any way 3

These requirements do not apply to interstate in-transit permits 4 or snowmobiles registered in another state that you want to register for use in New York.  5

 

Acceptable documents for proof of name and date of birth (DOB)

Document

Point Value

Proof of Date of Birth?

NYS Photo Driver License, Learner Permit or Non-Driver ID Card (must be current or expired for less than two years)6YES
EDL NYS Driver License, Learner Permit or Non-Driver ID Card (must be current or expired for less than two years)6YES

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)

6NO

Statement of Identity and/or Residence for Applicants Represented by Government or Government-Approved Facilities (MV-45A)

6NO

US Passport or Passport Card (must be current)

4YES

US Military Photo ID Card  (issued to active, reserve, and retired military personnel only)

3YES

Certificate of Citizenship (N-560, N-561 or N-645)

3YES

Certificate of Naturalization (N-550, N-570 or N-578)

3YES

Valid Employment Authorization Card (I-688B or I-766) with photo, issued by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

3YES

Permanent Resident Card (I-551)

3YES

Reentry Permit (I-327)

3YES

Refugee Travel Document (I-571)

3YES

Foreign Passport with a valid I-551 stamp or with a statement on the Visa (must be in English or translated by an embassy)

3YES

Foreign Passport with a Visa and a valid I-94 issued by DHS (must be in English or translated by an embassy)

3YES

Welfare/Medicaid/NY Food Stamp Card with photo

3NO

Welfare/Medicaid/NY Food Stamp Card without photo

2NO

NYS Interim License/Permit without photo

2NO

NYS or NYC Pistol Permit

2NO

NYS Professional License

2NO

NYS Registration Document (vehicle or boat only)

2NO

NYS Certificate of Title

2NO

Photo Driver License issued by another US State, jurisdiction, Canadian Province or territory (must be current or expired no longer than 1 year)

4YES

St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Photo ID Card

2NO

Canadian Birth Certificate with St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Photo ID Card

2YES

US Military Dependent ID Card

2NO

US College ID Card With Photo and Transcript

2NO

US High School ID Card with Report Card

2NO

US Marriage or Divorce Record OR Court Issued Name Change Decree

2NO

US Social Security Card (must have signature)

2NO

Computer Printed Pay Stub (must have your name)

1NO

Employee ID Card

1NO

High School Diploma OR GED (General Equivalency Diploma)

1NO

Supermarket Check Cashing Card (must have your signature and pre-printed name)

1NO

Union Card

1NO

US Health Insurance Card/Prescription Card

1NO

US Life Insurance Policy (in effect at least 2 years)

1NO

Utility Bill (must include your name and address)

1NO

Veterans Universal Access Photo ID Card

1NO

W-2 Form (must have your Social Security number on it)

1NO

Only one of these items, if issued by the same financial institution, can be accepted

  • bank statement
  • cancelled check (must have your pre-printed name)
  • cash card (ATM) (must have your signature & pre-printed name)
  • valid major US credit card
1NO

US DOS Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240, DS-1350, F-545)

0YES

US or US Territory Birth Certificate (must show your first and last name)

  • Must be issued by a Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, or US State Department.
  • US Territories are: American Samoa, Guam, Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Wake Island
  • If you were born in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island or Queens, you can order a copy of your birth certificate from the New York City website.
0YES

 Canadian Birth Certificate with a Canadian DMV learner permit or non-driver ID card

0YES

 Valid Canadian Passport (without DHS documentation)

0YES

 

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. 1. You must be at least 16 years old to register a vehicle in New York (except for ATV registrations).
  2. 2. For example, 3 major credit cards count as one credit card.
  3. 3. 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.
  4. 4. For interstate in-transit permits, a current out-of-state driver license is the only proof of identity needed.
  5. 5.  For snowmobiles registered in another state that are being registered for use in New York, the out-of-state snowmobile registration is the only proof of identity needed.