Proof of citizenship, identity, and residence: EDL/ID

When you apply for a Washington State Enhanced Driver License/ID Card (EDL/ID), you must:

1. show us ALL of the following documents:
   • proof of United States citizenship.
   • proof of identity.
   • proof of Washington State residence.
   • proof of name change, if applicable.
   For a checklist of the documents you’ll need, see What documents do I need to get my EDL/ID?.
2. provide your Social Security number.
3. have a personal interview with a licensing service representative to verify the information on your application.
4. have your photograph taken.

Proof of citizenship

You must be a citizen of the United States to get an EDL/ID. Legal residence with a green card or work visa doesn’t qualify as citizenship.

Acceptable documents

We accept only original documents or government-certified copies. We cannot accept Internet printouts or temporary, uncertified, notarized, or altered documents.

What you’ll need

To prove you are citizen of the United States, you must show us ONE of the following:

• Valid U.S. passport or one that has been expired no more than 5 years.
• Certificate of naturalization.
• Certificate of citizenship (not a green card).
• Department of State consular report of birth abroad.
• Original, certified Washington State birth certificate or birth certificate from the state where you were born. The birth certificate must have been issued by a city, county, or state and must have all of the following:
  • a registrar’s raised, embossed, impressed, or multicolored seal.
  • a control number that can be validated with the issuing authority.
  • a registrar’s signature.
  • the date the certificate was filed with the registrar’s office. The date must be within 1 year of your birth.

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Proof of identity

Acceptable documents

We accept only original documents or government-certified copies. We cannot accept Internet printouts or temporary, uncertified, notarized, or altered documents.

What you’ll need

To prove identity, you must show us ONE of the following:

• Passport — A valid United States passport that contains your signature and photo.
• Driver license or state-issued ID card — A valid, state-issued driver license, instruction permit, or ID card that contains your signature, date of birth, and photo.
• Military ID — A valid military ID card from a branch of the United States armed services that contains your photo and signature.
• Government ID — A valid city, federal, or state agency employee ID card that contains your signature and photo.
• Tribal ID — A federally recognized Indian tribal enrollment card or a U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs ID card that contains your signature and photo.

Teens and children

If you are under 18, you may establish your identity with a Parental Authorization Affidavit. When you apply, your parent or legal guardian must:

1. Come with you to the licensing office.
2. Sign the affidavit.
3. Show us:
   • at least 1 document to prove his or her identity.
   • 1 other document to prove he or she is your parent or legal guardian.
   (If your parent or legal guardian’s proof of identification is an out-of-state driver license, or if your last name is different than your parent’s or legal guardian’s, we will require more documents.)

Identification document review

If we cannot accept your identification documents, you may request an additional document review by speaking with the driver licensing office ID Review Specialist. If the specialist is unable to determine positive identification, we may refer your documents for further evaluation.

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Proof of Washington State residence

When you apply for your first Washington State Enhanced Driver License or ID card, you must prove you have a Washington State residential address. The street address you give us will appear on your license or ID card.

Acceptable documents

• We accept only original documents or government-certified copies. We cannot accept Internet printouts or temporary, uncertified, notarized, or altered documents.
• Documents must include both your name and current Washington State residential address.
• You may use documents that are in your spouse’s name if:
  • your last name is the same as your spouse’s.
  • OR
  • you bring in additional documents that prove your relationship, such as a marriage certificate. Your spouse doesn’t need to be present when you apply, and doesn’t need to sign a declaration.

What you’ll need

To prove you live in Washington State, you may show us ONE of the following:

• Homeowner’s insurance policy or invoice showing the address of the insured residence.
• Home utility bill (gas, electricity, water, garbage, landline telephone, or cable) or hook-up work order dated within the past 60 days. We cannot accept bills or word orders that list 2 or more unrelated people.
• Mortgage document or monthly coupon payment book.
• Property tax bill or statement dated within the past 12 months
• Concealed weapons permit (License to Carry Concealed Pistol)
• Your name and address in a current phone book made by a telephone book publisher.
• Moorage bill or contract showing you live aboard a boat.
• Property deed or title (filed).
• Document from a public or private institution (hospital, college, corporation, etc.) or government agency that verifies you live in the institution or in housing supplied by the institution or agency. The document must contain a contact name and phone number so we can verify the information.
• Check issued by a federal or state government agency (Washington State, Social Security, IRS, etc.).
• ID card issued for a high-security installation (military, Hanford, Boeing, etc.).
• Tribal IDs that contains your current residential address.
• Official government business mail dated within the past 30 days. The mail must include your first and last name, and be from a state or federal agency such as the Revenue Department, Social Security Administration, Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, or Department of Homeland Security. The mail cannot be addressed “in care of,” “for,” or “parent of.”
• Government employee pay stub. The pay stub must have both your name and current residential address, and your employer’s name and phone number or address for verification if necessary.
• Out-of-state driver license with a Washington State address. A change of address sticker or handwritten address on the license is not acceptable.

Teens and children

If you are under 18 and your parent or legal guardian shows us proof of your identity and relationship, you may use your parent or legal guardian’s residential address as proof of residence. Your parent or legal guardian must live in Washington State and must show us acceptable documents proving his or her identity and residence.

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Proof of name change

If your current name is different than the name on your birth certificate or other citizenship or identity documents, you must also show us ONE of the following as proof of the name change.

• Court order showing your change of name.
• Marriage certificate (certified copy or original). The certificate must contain a control number that can be validated with the issuing authority. To get a certified copy of a marriage certificate:
  • from the last 4 months, contact the county auditor where the license was filed.
  • from January 1, 1968 to 4 months ago, order through the Center for Health Statistics.
  • from before January 1, 1968, contact the county auditor where you got the license.

Multiple name changes

If you have changed your name more than once and your current name is different than the name on your birth certificate or other citizenship or identity documents, you must show us a court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree to document EACH name change.

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Social Security number

You must provide your Social Security number when you apply for an Enhanced Driver License or ID Card. You don’t need to show us the Social Security card.

How your Social Security number is used

Your Social Security number is used to help enforce child support laws. We will verify your Social Security number with the Social Security Administration, but it won’t appear on your EDL/ID.

Related laws

• RCW 46.20
• WAC 308-104
• WAC 308-105

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Photograph

Your Enhanced Driver License or ID Card will include a photo showing a full front view of your face.

Before we take your photo, we will ask you to remove anything that covers your face or head (like a hat or sunglasses) so your photo will be acceptable for biometric identification. If you choose not to remove it, you won’t be eligible to receive an EDL/ID and we will refund your EDL/ID fee.

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