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Starting May 7, 2025, all U.S. adults — including Floridians — will need to present a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification for domestic air travel. 

  • If you have a gold star in the upper right-hand corner of your Florida DL or ID Card, you are already Real ID Compliant
  • Once Real ID Compliant, US Citizens and Permanent Residents only have to show proof of any changes (address, name)
    • If you are getting a Florida driver license, Commercial Driver License, or ID card for the first time you must provide all Real ID documents even if your out-of-state driver license/ID card is already Real ID compliant
  • Non-immigrants must show all of their documents on each visit
  • If you are not Real ID compliant or are applying for an original Florida Driver License or ID Card, please use the chart below to determine what you need to bring to the office to become a Real ID Compliant
  • If you don’t have your birth certificate or name change document, please use the links below to order a certified copy:
  • Commercial Driver License (CDL) requirements are slightly different - please refer to the CDL handbook to ensure you have all the proper documents prior to your appointment.

 

Which REAL ID category do I belong to?

  • Citizen – citizen of the United States by law, birth, or naturalization
  • Immigrant – someone who came to the United States to stay permanently
  • Non-Immigrant – someone who came to the United States to stay temporarily
  • Canadian Canadian citizen

** See required documents table below for each category

One Proof of Identification (NOT a driver license or ID)

  • An original of one of the following documents with complete name:
    • Valid U.S. passport
    • Original or certified U.S. birth certificate
    • Certificate of naturalization or citizenship
    • Consular proof of birth abroad

 

One Proof of Social Security

  • An original of one of the following documents with complete name and complete SSN:
    • Social Security card (with current name)
    • W-2 form (not handwritten)
    • Paycheck/stub
    • SSA-1099
    • Any 1099 (not handwritten)
    • U.S. Military ID Card showing Social Security number
    • If you do not have an SSN, you must bring a letter from the Social Security Administration indicating that you were never issued one

 

Two Proofs of Residential Address

  • Customers must submit TWO different documents with their residential address (printouts or faxes of these documents are acceptable).

    **Customers may not use their current driver license or ID card as proof of residential address.

    Residential address documents include, but are not limited to:
    • Deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet or residential rental/lease agreement
    • Florida voter registration card
    • Florida vehicle registration or title
    • Utility bill
    • A utility hook up or work order dated within 60 days of the application
    • Automobile payment booklet
    • Selective service card
    • Medical or health card with address listed
    • Current homeowner insurance policy or bill
    • Current automobile insurance policy or bill
    • Educational institution transcript forms for the current school year
    • Unexpired professional license issued by a government agency in the U.S.
    • W-2 form or 1099 form
    • Form DS2019, certificate of eligibility for exchange visitor (J-1) status
    • A letter from a homeless shelter, transitional service provider, or a halfway house verifying they receive mail for the customer, the letter must be accompanied by a Certification of Address form
    • Mail from financial institutions including checking, savings, or investment account statements
    • Mail from federal, state, county, or city government agencies
    • FDLE registration form completed by local sheriff department
    **Customers who do not have the above documents in their name may provide two proofs of residential address from a parent, step-parent, legal guardian, or other person with whom they reside and a Certification of Address form.

Proof of Any & All Name Changes

  • Original or certified copies of ALL marriage certificates or court orders that show name change

More Info

  • Is my Florida license REAL ID compliant?
    • Check out our handy PDF!
  • Find more info about REAL ID on the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle’s website
  • Need a Puerto Rican birth or marriage certificate? The Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration has an online booking portal. Head to pr.gov/book to make an appointment for their Orlando office or to order your documents online and pick them up.

One Proof of Identification (NOT a driver license or ID)

  • An original of one of the following documents with complete name:
    • Valid alien registration receipt card (green card, form I-551)
    • I-551 stamp in passport or on I-94
    • Immigration judge’s order, containing the customer’s A-number (admissions number), granting asylum
    • I-797, containing the customer’s A-number, stating the customer has been granted asylum
    • I-797, or another form from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), with the customer’s A-number, stating the customer’s application for refugee status is approved

 

One Proof of Social Security

  • An original of one of the following documents with complete name and complete SSN:
    • Social Security card (with current name)
    • W-2 form (not handwritten)
    • Paycheck/stub
    • SSA-1099
    • Any 1099 (not handwritten)
    • If you do not have an SSN, you must bring a letter from the Social Security Administration indicating that you were never issued one

 

Two Proofs of Residential Address

  • Customers must submit TWO different documents with their residential address (printouts or faxes of these documents are acceptable).

    **Customers may not use their current driver license or ID card as proof of residential address.

    Residential address documents include, but are not limited to:
    • Deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet, or residential rental/lease agreement
    • Florida voter registration card
    • Florida vehicle registration or title
    • Utility bill
    • A utility hookup or work order dated within 60 days of the application
    • Automobile payment booklet
    • Selective service card
    • Medical or health card with address listed
    • Current homeowner insurance policy or bill
    • Current automobile insurance policy or bill
    • Educational institution transcript forms for the current school year
    • Unexpired professional license issued by a government agency in the U.S.
    • W-2 form or 1099 form
    • Form DS2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) status
    • A letter from a homeless shelter, transitional service provider, or a halfway house verifying they receive mail for the customer. The letter must be accompanied by a Certification of Address form
    • Mail from financial institutions including checking, savings, or investment account statements
    • Mail from federal, state, county, or city government agencies; or
    • FDLE registration form completed by local sheriff department
    ***Customers who do not have the above documents in their name may provide two proofs of residential address from a parent, step-parent, legal guardian, or another person with whom they reside and a Certification of Address form.

Proof of Any & All Name Changes

  • Original or certified copies of ALL marriage certificates or court orders that show name change
  • Customers who have legally changed their name by marriage, divorce or court order must have their name changed on their USCIS documents

More Info

  • In accordance with the REAL ID Act, customers are not required to present these documents for subsequent renewals unless their information changes (e.g., name, address).

One Proof of Identification (NOT a driver license or ID)

  • An original of one of the following documents with complete name:
    • Valid employment authorization card issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) form I-688B or I-766
    • Non-expired proof of non-immigrant classification provided by DHS form I-94 with required supporting attachment(s).
      • F-1 and M-1 classification must be accompanied by an I-20
      • J-1 or J-2 designation must be accompanied by a DS2019
      • Refugee, asylee, and parolee classifications must be accompanied by additional documentation
      • If a customer is unsure of the required documentation, they should bring all United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) documentation with them.
      • I-94s must be accompanied by a valid passport with a date of entry stamp. Certain classifications require additional documentation. Some examples are:
    • I-571 travel document/refugee travel permit
    • I-512 parole letter accepted
    • Immigration judge’s order granting asylum or cancellation of removal

    ** DISCLAIMER: This is a list of common documents that are accepted as proof of legal presence. If your status is not represented here, please bring all documents related to your immigration process to the office for review.

One Proof of Social Security Number 

  • An original of one of the following documents with complete name and complete SSN (if you have been issued a Social Security number):
    • Social Security card (with current name)
    • W-2 form (not handwritten)
    • Paycheck/stub
    • SSA-1099
    • Any 1099 (not handwritten)
    • U.S. Military ID Card showing Social Security number
    • Non-immigrants in the country without a work visa are not required to obtain a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that they were never issued an SSN

Two Proofs of Residential Address

          • Customers must submit TWO different documents with their residential address (printouts or faxes of these documents are acceptable).

            **Customers may not use their current driver license or ID card as proof of residential address.

            Residential address documents include, but are not limited to:
            • Deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet, or residential rental/lease agreement
            • Florida voter registration card
            • Florida vehicle registration or title
            • Utility bill
            • A utility hook up or work order dated within 60 days of the application
            • Automobile payment booklet
            • Selective service card
            • Medical or health card with address listed
            • Current homeowner insurance policy or bill
            • Current automobile insurance policy or bill
            • Educational institution transcript forms for the current school year
            • Unexpired professional license issued by a government agency in the U.S
            • W-2 form or 1099 form
            • Form DS2019, certificate of eligibility for exchange visitor (J-1) status
            • A letter from a homeless shelter, transitional service provider, or a halfway house verifying they receive mail for the customer. The letter must be accompanied by a Certification of Address form
            • Mail from financial institutions including checking, savings, or investment account statements
            • Mail from federal, state, county, or city government agencies; or
            • FDLE registration form completed by local sheriff department

            ** Customers who do not have the above documents in their name may provide two proofs of residential address from a parent, step-parent, legal guardian, or another person with whom they reside and a Certification of Address form.

Proof of Any & All Name Changes

          • Original or certified copies of ALL marriage certificates or court orders that show name change
          • Customers who have legally changed their name by marriage, divorce, or court order must have their name changed on their USCIS documents

More Info

      • Proof of identification documents must be valid for more than 30 days from the date of issuance
      • Non-U.S. citizens applying for an original driver license will be issued a 60-day temporary paper permit without a photo and a receipt
      • Non-U.S. citizens applying for an ID card will be issued a receipt
      • Upon identity and legal status verification, a driver license or ID card will be issued within 60 days and mailed to the address on the driver record
      • The driver license or ID card will be issued for the period of time specified on the USCIS document, up to a maximum of four years

One Proof of Identification (NOT a driver license or ID)

  • An original of one of the following documents with complete name:
    • Valid Canadian passport
    • Original or certified Canadian birth certificate
    • Canadian naturalization certificate; or
    • Canadian certificate of citizenship

One Proof of Social Security 

  • An original of one of the following documents with complete name and complete SSN (if you have been issued a Social Security number):
    • Social Security card (with customer’s current name)
    • W-2 form (not handwritten)
    • Paycheck/stub
    • SSA-1099
    • Any 1099 (not handwritten)
    • Canadians in the country without a work visa are not required to obtain a letter from the Social Security Administration stating they were never issued an SSN
    If you do not have an SSN, you must bring a letter from the Social Security Administration indicating that you were never issued one

Two Proofs of Residential Address

  • Customers must submit TWO different documents with their residential address (printouts or faxes of these documents are acceptable).

    **Customers may not use their current driver license or ID card as proof of residential address.

    Residential address documents include, but are not limited to:
    • Deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet, or residential rental/lease agreement
    • Florida voter registration card
    • Florida vehicle registration or title
    • Utility bill
    • A utility hook up or work order dated within 60 days of the application
    • Automobile payment booklet
    • Selective service card
    • Medical or health card with address listed
    • Current homeowner insurance policy or bill
    • Current automobile insurance policy or bill
    • Educational institution transcript forms for the current school year
    • Unexpired professional license issued by a government agency in the U.S.
    • W-2 form or 1099 form
    • Form DS2019, certificate of eligibility for exchange visitor (J-1) status
    • A letter from a homeless shelter, transitional service provider, or a halfway house verifying they receive mail for the customer, the letter must be accompanied by a Certification of Address form
    • Mail from financial institutions including checking, savings, or investment account statements
    • Mail from federal, state, county, or city government agencies
    • FDLE registration form completed by local sheriff department
    **Customers who do not have the above documents in their name may provide two proofs of residential address from a parent, step-parent, legal guardian, or another person with whom they reside and a Certification of Address form.

Proof of Any & All Name Changes

  • Original or certified copies of ALL marriage certificates or court orders that show name change
  • Customers who have legally changed their name by marriage, divorce, or court order must have their name changed on their Canadian driver license and/or passport before applying for a name change on their Florida driver license or ID card

More Info

  • To get a Fl driver license Canadian citizens can either:
    • Retain their Canadian driver license and complete the written exam and road test, or
    • Surrender their Canadian driver license and reciprocate all exams

IMPORTANT UPDATE: See the FLHSMV published list of out-of-state license classes no longer accepted in Florida as of July 1, 2023, per Section 322.033, Florida Statutes. The listed licenses are not valid in Florida and criminal penalties apply consistent with Florida law.

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