DL-15 Rev. 05/01/2018 1
What to bring with you when applying
for a Texas Driver License or Identification Card
To be issued a non-commercial driver license (DL) or identification card (ID) in the state of Texas, you must
bring the following documentation to your local driver license office:
1. Application for an Original Texas Driver License or Identification Card
2. Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Evidence of Lawful Presence
3. Proof of Residency
4. Proof of Identity, and
5. Proof of Social Security Number
6. Proof of Insurance for each vehicle you own
7. Evidence of Texas Vehicle Registration for each vehicle you own (New residents who are
surrendering an out-of-state driver license only)
This checklist will help you identify what documents in each section you will need to bring to your local driver
license office so that you may apply for a DL or ID. Any documents you bring to prove your identity must
show the same name and date of birth. If they do not, you must present additional supporting documents
such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court-ordered name change to demonstrate the reason
for the differences in names and/or dates of birth.
Follow the directions listed for each section, and check the appropriate document(s) you have that you can
bring with you. Upon completing all sections, gather the documents you have checked and visit your local
driver license office to begin the application process. If you would like to get in-line at your local driver
license office prior to your arrival, simply go to our website and check in (not available at all locations):
www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense.
Additionally, you will be required to pay an issuance fee. If you will be taking a driving skills test, or you are
a teen applicant applying for a driver license for the first time, you will have additional requirements which
may be found here: www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/ApplyforLicense.htm.
Section 1. Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence
You must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or lawful presence in the United States. Most documents will be verified
through the US Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE Program. Verification through SAVE is often
instantaneous, but when it is not, receipt of the DL/ID may be delayed for up to 30 days.
Check one document you have from this list that contains your full legal name. This will be your proof of
U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence in the United States.
Birth certificate or birth record issued by the appropriate State Bureau of Vital Statistics or equivalent
agency from a US state or local government, a US territory, or the District of Columbia
US passport book or passport card
US citizen Identification card (I-179 or I-197)
Permanent Resident card (I-551)
I-94
I-94 stamped “Sec. 208 Asylee” or “Sec. 207
Refugee”
US Travel Document (I-327 or I-571)
Employment Authorization Card “EAD” (I-766)
I-551 stamp in foreign passport
US Department of State Certificate of Birth
Abroad issued to US citizens born abroad (Form
FS-240, DS-1350, or FS-545)
US Citizenship Certificate or Certificate of
Naturalization (N-550, N-560, N-561, N-570, or
N-578)
Machine Readable Immigrant Visa with temporary
I-551 language and ADIT stamp
Student documents with Student Exchange and
Visitor Information System (SEVIS) number
I-20 Non-immigrant students (F-1)
DS-2019 exchange visitor (J-1) certificate
Non-student documents with alien number or I-94 number
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Section 2. Proof of Residency
You must provide documents to prove you have lived in Texas for at least 30 days. If you are surrendering a valid,
unexpired driver license from another U.S. State, you must still prove your Texas residency but the 30-day
requirement is waived.
If you are unable to provide two documents from the list, you may submit a Texas residency affidavit from someone
who resides at the same address along with proper identification and two documents for proof of residency. For
affidavit requirements, visit us at www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/ResidencyReqNonCDL.htm
Check two documents you have from this list that contain your name and Texas residential or physical
address. This will be your proof of residency.
Current deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage
statement, mortgage payment booklet, or a
residential lease
Mail from a federal, state, county, or city
government agency dated within 90 days of the
application date
Current homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy
or statement
Current documents issued by the US Military
indicating residential address
Electric, water, natural gas, satellite television,
cable television, or non-cellular telephone
statement dated within 90 days of the application
date
Mail from a financial institution; including
checking, savings, investment account, or
credit card statements dated within 90 days of
the application date
Medical or health card
W-2 or 1099 tax form from the current year
Current automobile payment booklet
Selective Service card
Current automobile insurance policy or statement
TDCJ document indicating recent release or
parole
Texas high school, college, or university report
card or transcript for the current school year
Current Form DS-2019, I-20, or a document
issued by USCIS (non-CDL only)
Preprinted paycheck or pay stub dated within 90
days of the application date
Valid, unexpired registration: Texas voter
registration card, motor vehicle registration or
title, boat registration or title
Concealed handgun license
License to carry
NOTE: Both documents cannot be from the same source. For example, you cannot show a water bill and a gas bill from the same utility
company, and you cannot show mail that is addressed to you with a forwarding address label or an adhesive address label on the envelope.
Section 3. Proof of Identity
A. Primary Identification Document List. These are photo IDs issued by governmental agencies with the
applicant’s full name and date of birth and must be verifiable.
Check one document you have from this section. This will be your proof of identity. If you do not have
any of the following documents, see section 3B.
Texas DL or ID within two years of expiration
Unexpired US passport book or passport card
US Citizenship Certificate or Certificate of
Naturalization with identifiable photo (N-550, N-
560, N-561, N-570, or N-578)
Unexpired US military photo ID card for active
duty, reserve, or retired personnel
Foreign passport, visa* (valid or expired), and I-94
Unexpired Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
(USCIS) photo ID. Examples include:
US citizen Identification card (I-179 or I-197)
Permanent Resident card (I-551)
Machine-Readable Immigrant Visa (MRIV) with
temporary I-551 language and Alien
Documentation, Identification and
Telecommunications System (ADIT) stamp
Employment Authorization card “EAD” (I-766)
Advance parole document with photo (I-512 or
I-512L)
I-94 stamped “Sec. 208 Asylee” with photo
I-94 stamped “Sec. 207 Refugee” with photo
Valid refugee travel letter with photo and stamped
by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Northern Mariana card (I-873)
American Indian card (I-872)
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B. Secondary Identification Document List. If you cannot present one document from the primary identification
document list in Section 3A, check two of the following identification documents you have from this
section. This will be your proof of identity. If you do not have two documents from this Section, see
Section 3C.
Documents must be original or a copy certified by the issuing agency. No photocopies are accepted.
C. Supporting Identification Document List. If you cannot present one document from the primary identification
document list (Section 3A) or two documents from the Secondary Identification Document list (Section 3B), you
must provide the following:
One document from the Secondary Identification list (Section 3B), AND
Two documents from the Supporting Identification Document list (Section 3C)
Check two of the following identification documents you have from this section AND one of the
identification documents from Section 3B. This will be your proof of identity.
Documents must be original or a copy certified by the issuing agency. No photocopies are accepted.
Temporary receipt for a Texas DL or ID (actual
receipt)
Expired Texas DL or ID (expired more than two
yearsactual card)
DL or ID issued by another US state, US territory,
District of Columbia, or Canadian province
(unexpired or within two years of the expiration
date actual card)*
Original or certified copy of a marriage
certificate or divorce decree (US jurisdiction or
foreign jurisdiction-if not in English, a certified
translation must accompany it)
Pilot’s license (actual card)*
Concealed handgun license or License to Carry
(actual card)*
Unexpired US military dependent ID card (actual
card)
Professional license issued by Texas state
agency
Veteran’s ID or Health Identification card “VHIC”
(actual card)
School records (e.g. report cards, photo ID
cards, etc.)*
Voter registration card (actual card)*
Military records (e.g., Form DD-214)
W-2 or 1099 form
Selective Service card (actual card)
Current Texas motor vehicle registration or title
(TRC 521.144)
Any insurance policy (valid continuously for the
past two years)
ID card issued by government agency*
Current Texas boat registration or title
Hospital-issued birth record*
Medicare or Medicaid card (actual card)
Immunization records*
Unexpired foreign passport
A valid Consular document issued by a state or
national government
Tribal membership card from a federally
recognized tribe
Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)
parole or mandatory release certificate
Texas inmate ID card or similar form of ID
issued by TDCJ
Federal inmate ID card
Federal parole or release certificate
Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB)
Social Security card (actual card)
*Document must be issued by an institution, entity or government agency from a US state, a US territory, the District of Columbia, or a
Canadian province.
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Section 4. Proof of Social Security Number
You must present proof of Social Security Number.
Check one document you have from this list. This will be your proof of social security.
Social Security Card
W-2
SSA-1099 Form
A non-SSA-1099 Form
Paystub containing your legal name and social security number
If you cannot provide one of the documents listed above, you must provide one of the following provided it
contains your pre-printed social security number:
Military identification (active, reserve, and dependent status)
Certificate of release or Discharge of Active Duty (DD-214)
Certified college/university transcript designating number as SSN
Health insurance card with Social Security Number
Veteran’s Administration card with Social Security Number
Pilot’s License with Social Security Number
Section 5. Texas Vehicle Registration and Proof of Insurance
If you are a new resident of this state and are surrendering an out-of-state driver license, you must present proof of
Texas vehicle registration and proof of insurance for each vehicle you own. If you are a Texas resident applying for
a driver license for the first-time and are not surrendering an out-of-state driver license, you are only required to
present proof of insurance for each vehicle you own.
Texas Vehicle Registration*
Evidence of Financial Responsibility*
*If you do not own a vehicle, you may sign a statement at the office affirming this. Active duty military are not required to present proof of
registration.