Proof of identity and residence

When you apply for a Washington State driver license, instruction permit, or identification (ID) card, you must:

  1. show us proof of identity.
  2. show us proof of Washington State residence.
  3. provide your Social Security number if you are applying for a driver license.
  4. have your photograph taken.

1. Proof of identity

To prove identity, show us any of the following:

  • 1 choice from the primary documents list
  • 2 choices from the supporting documents list
  • 1 choice from the supporting documents list and 2 choices from the alternate documents lists
  • At least 5 choices from the alternate documents lists, including:
    • 1 from the list of alternate documents showing name and date of birth
    • 1 showing name and signature

Acceptable documents

We accept only original documents or certified copies. The documents listed may change without notice.

Primary documents
  • Washington driver license — A valid, or expired within 1 year, Washington 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.
  • Passport — A valid United States passport that contains your signature and photo.
  • Immigration ID — A valid immigration document from United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) that contains your signature and photo.
  • Parental authorization — If you are under 18, you may establish your identity with a Parental Authorization Affidavit. When you apply, your parent or guardian must come with you to the licensing office, sign the affidavit, and show us at least 1 primary document to prove his or her identity and 1 other document to prove he or she is your parent or guardian.
  • (If your parent or guardian’s proof of identity is an out-of-state driver license, or if your last name is different than your parent’s or guardian’s, we will require more documents.)
  • Out-of-state license — A valid, or expired within 60 days, out-of-state driver license, identification card, or photo instruction permit, or a driver license from a foreign country, plus either 1 supporting and 1 alternate document OR at least 2 alternate documents.
  • Government ID — A valid federal or state agency employee ID card that contains your signature and photo, plus either 1 supporting and 1 alternate document OR at least 2 alternate documents.
  • Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) ID letter — If you are under 18 and in court-ordered foster care with DSHS or another supervising Washington agency as your legal custodian, you may establish your identity with an identification letter from DSHS.
Supporting documents
  • Foreign Passport — A valid foreign passport with a valid and stamped U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) entry form I-94.
  • Indian ID — A federally recognized Indian tribal enrollment card or a U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs ID card that contains your signature and photo.
  • Verification letter — A verification letter from one of the following agencies if you are on work release, are supervised by an agency, or are in one of their eligible programs:
    • Washington State Department of Corrections (electronic version only)
    • United States Federal correction authorities
    • DSHS Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration
    • DSHS Children and Family Services
  • (We won’t accept letters from any other sources.)
  • City police or county police employee ID — A Washington city or county police employee ID card containing your signature and photo.
Alternate documents

Alternate documents showing name and date of birth

  • Certified birth certificate
  • Concealed weapons permit
  • Consular report of birth abroad
  • Court-issued adoption papers
  • King County Club Entertainer Card
  • Military DD 214
  • Parent with proof of identity and proof of relationship (for child 18 or older)
  • Photo driver license from another state or foreign country (expired over 60 days)
  • Refugee Relief Placement Packet
  • U.S. or foreign passport (expired or without an I-94 form)
  • Veteran Administration ID
  • Ward of the Court decree
  • Washington State driver license or ID card (expired)

 

Examples of alternate documents showing name and signature

  • Divorce decree that contains your name and signature
  • King County Club Entertainer card
  • Marriage license or certificate (filed with the county)
  • Medical coupon
  • Mexican Matricula Consular
  • Minor ID issued by law enforcement
  • Mortgage document
  • Selective Service card
  • Social Security card (signed)
  • Taxi ID that contains your photo
  • Tax return (professionally filed)
  • Transfer of property (Quit Claim Deed)
  • Voter registration card

 

Examples of other acceptable alternate documents

  • Auto insurance policy
  • Business or professional license (nurse, physician, engineer, etc.)
  • Driving record from another state
  • Employee photo ID card issued by an employer for whom identification is an important security measure
  • Guatemala Consulate ID card
  • Medicaid card
  • Medical record paid by insurance or a medical bill
  • Metro reduced-fare bus pass containing your photo
  • Mexican school record with seal and your photo at age when issued
  • Pay stub showing your employer’s name and phone number or address
  • Photo public assistance card
  • Port authority identification
  • Property tax bill or statement dated within the past 12 months
  • Restricted-area ID card or security badge
  • School transcript (certified)
  • Yearbook containing your photo
  • Selective Service card
  • U.S. Merchant Mariner’s card
  • Voter registration or foreign voting card
  • Washington vehicle Certificate of Ownership (title)
  • Any documents proving residence

We may consider documents other than those listed to prove your identity. They should show your name and some combination of your date of birth, signature, photo, or current Washington residential address. When necessary, we may ask you to show more documents. To find out if you can use a specific document, contact your local driver licensing office.

Foreign documents

If you present authentic foreign documents, we will make every effort to read and interpret them. This may require that we fax your document to another location. If no bilingual staff is available, we may ask you to provide an English translation with the original document.

Unacceptable documents

We won’t accept temporary or altered documents, or any documents from the list below:

Unacceptable documents
  • Adjudication form or ticket citation
  • Bank account statement
  • Bank card or credit card
  • Baptismal certificate
  • Bus pass without a photograph
  • Cell phone bill
  • College ID or ASB Card
  • Flagger card
  • Food handler card
  • Hunting or fishing license
  • Internet printout
  • Library card
  • Membership card (such as athletic club or store cards)
  • Personal check
  • Rental or lease agreement
  • Renters insurance policy
  • Vehicle registration

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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2. Proof of Washington State residence

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

Acceptable documents

We accept only original documents or certified copies. The documents listed may change without notice.

To prove you live in Washington State:

you can show us 1 document from this list.
  • Concealed weapons permit
  • Homeowner’s insurance policy or invoice
  • Home utility bill (such as gas, electricity, water, garbage, landline telephone, or cable) or hook-up work order dated within the past 60 days. You must be the only person named on the bill or work order.
  • Mortgage documents
  • Property tax bill or statement dated within the past 12 months
  • Your name and address in a current phone book made by a telephone book publisher
  • Moorage bill or contract
you can show us 2 documents from this list.
  • Auto insurance policy
  • Washington State business license
  • Business mail dated within the past 60 days. Mail must include your first and last name, and must be from state or federal revenue departments, the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Treasury, or the IRS. It cannot be addressed “in care of,” “for,” or “parent of.”
  • Current Washington State voter card
  • Home utility bill (such as gas, electricity, water, garbage, landline telephone, or cable) or hook-up work order dated within the past 60 days. Two or more unrelated people may be named on the bill or work order.
  • Medical record paid by insurance or a medical bill
  • Medicaid card or DSHS medical coupon
  • Pay stub showing your employer’s name AND phone number or address
  • Professional license (nurse, physician, engineer, etc.)
  • Selective service card showing a Washington State address
  • Professionally-filed tax return or filed copy sent to you by the IRS for the most recent tax filing year
  • Transcript or report card for the current school year from an educational institution in Washington State
  • W-2 form for the previous year

Teens

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

Unacceptable documents

We won’t accept temporary or altered documents, or any documents from the list below:

Unacceptable documents
  • Adjudication form or ticket citation
  • Bank account statement
  • Bank card or credit card
  • Baptismal certificate
  • Bus pass without a photograph
  • Cell phone bill
  • College ID or ASB Card
  • Flagger card
  • Food handler card
  • Hunting or fishing license
  • Internet printout
  • Library card
  • Membership card (such as athletic club or store cards)
  • Personal check
  • Rental or lease agreement
  • Renters insurance policy
  • Vehicle insurance card
  • Vehicle registration

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3. Social Security number

You must provide your Social Security number when you apply for a driver license. If you haven’t been issued a Social Security number, you may sign a declaration form when you visit the driver licensing office.

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 will not appear on your driver license.

Commercial driver license (CDL)

When you apply for a commercial driver license, you must provide your Social Security number. We cannot issue you a CDL if you don’t have a Social Security number.

Related laws

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4. Your photograph

Your new driver license, instruction permit, 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). If you choose not to remove it, your license will be marked “Not Valid for Identification.” We will make exceptions for medical and religious reasons.

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See also: