Getting a Virginia Driver’s License or Identification (ID) Card - Required Documents - Step-by-step document checklist

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Rhys

Getting a Virginia driver’s license or identification (ID) card requires submitting specific original documents proving identity, legal presence, social security number (when issued), Virginia residency, and—if applicable—name changes. The checklist distinguishes primary and secondary residency proofs, details acceptable documents for proof of residency and social security, and specifies identity and legal presence options for U.S. citizens and non-citizens. It also explains matching-name rules, rejection reasons, verification delays, and updates without prior notice.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Required Documents

Virginia Residency Proofs

Proof of Social Security Number

Proof of Identification and Legal Presence

Name and Document Matching Rules

Notes and Acceptance Conditions

Getting a Virginia Driver’s License or Identification (ID) Card Required Documents One proof of identity One proof of legal presence Two proofs of Virginia residency • Two from the primary list, or • One from the primary list and one from the secondary list One proof of your social security number, if you’ve been issued one Current driver’s license if you are applying to exchange one issued by another U.S. state, territory or jurisdiction for a Virginia driver’s license Proof of name change if your name appears differently on your proof documents Most commonly used documents Primary Proof of Virginia Residency 1. Deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement or residential rental/lease agreement 2. U.S. Postal Service change of address confirmation form or postmarked U.S. mail with forwarding address label 3. Utility bill, not more than two months old, issued to the applicant (cell phone bills are not accepted) Secondary Proof of Virginia Residency 1. Postmarked mail displaying the applicant’s name and current address 2. Official document or correspondence from a federal, state, or local government agency displaying the applicant’s name and current address (DMV–issued documents without postmarked envelopes are not accepted) 3. Billing statement or other official document from a recognizable business displaying the applicant’s name and current address Proof of Social Security Number 1. Social Security card (Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers not accepted) 2. U.S. Internal Revenue Service tax reporting W-2 form 3. Payroll check stub issued by employer that shows full Social Security number h͘ ^͘ ĐŝƟǌĞŶƐ Proof of Identification and Legal Presence 1. Official birth document issued by a U.S. state, jurisdiction or territory (birth documents issued by a hospital; notifications of birth registration; and Puerto Rico birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010 are not accepted) 2. Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or U.S. passport card (temporary passports are not accepted) 3. U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization EŽŶͲh͘^͘ ĐŝƟǌĞŶƐ Proof of Identification and Legal Presence 1. Unexpired foreign passport with an unexpired or expired [U.S. visa](U.S. visa) and unexpired I-94 or entry stamp 2. Unexpired Employment Authorization Document (I- 766) AND USCIS form I-797 displaying applicant’s name (depending on the nature and purpose of the form, the I-797 may not be accepted) 3. Unexpired Permanent Resident Card Temporary documents and photocopies will not be accepted. All documents must be originals. All documents will be subject to verification with the issuing entity, which may delay the issuance of your credential. If you have official documentation, not listed below, that you believe meets DMV requirements, please present it to your local DMV office for review. This list of acceptable documents may change without prior notice. Note: You may redact (blackout/whiteout) your sensitive financial information. Your Name Make sure your name appears the same on all proof documents. If your middle name is not displayed, or only your middle initial appears on some of your documents, they may still be accepted. Nicknames will not be accepted. If your name appears differently on your proof documents, you will be asked to present additional documentation to connect the names such as a marriage certificate or civil union documents filed with a government agency or court, divorce decree or court order. Note: Marriage licenses and marriage certificates signed only by the wedding officiant (for example, a member of the clergy) will NOT be accepted. Proof of Identity Document(s) submitted as proof of identity must show your full legal name and date of birth. • Official birth document issued by a U.S. state, jurisdiction or territory (birth documents issued by a hospital and notifications of birth registration and Puerto Rico birth certificates iss

FAQs

What documents are required to apply for a Virginia driver’s license or ID card?

You must provide proof of identity, proof of legal presence, proof of Virginia residency, and proof of your social security number if you’ve been issued one. You may also need proof of name change and, in some cases, an existing out-of-state driver’s license for exchanges.

How many documents are needed to prove Virginia residency?

You must submit two proofs of Virginia residency from the primary list, or one from the primary list plus one from the secondary list. Utility bills must be no more than two months old, and some secondary proofs require postmarked mail.

What must applicants do if their name differs across proof documents?

Your name must appear the same on all proof documents. If it differs, you must provide additional documentation to connect the names, such as marriage or civil union documents, divorce decrees, or court orders. Nicknames are not accepted, and certain officiant-signed marriage certificates or licenses are not accepted.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Rhys