Must present original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. Photocopies and notarized copies will not be accepted. All documents must be current (not expired). Documents may be used for two purposes, but each applicant must provide at least two separate documents (as proof of identity, age, and U.S. citizenship/immigration status). See below for documents required for U.S. Citizens/Adults, U.S. Citizens/Child, and Non-U.S. Citizens /Adults:
U.S. CITIZENS/ADULT:
To Prove Identity (a current document showing the applicant's name, identifying information and photograph such as one of the following):
- U.S. passport
- U.S. driver's license
or
- State-issued non-driver's identification card.
- Other documents which may be accepted (on a case-by-case basis) include employer identification card, school identification card, health insurance card, or U.S. military identification card.
To Prove Age:
- U.S. birth certificate (if one exists, the applicant MUST submit it).
- If a birth certificate does not exist, then one of the following documents may be accepted including religious record made before the age of 5 showing the applicant's date of birth, U.S. hospital record of the applicant's birth, or U.S. passport.
To Prove U.S. Citizenship (one of the following documents):
- U.S. birth certificate
- U.S. consular report of birth abroad
- U.S. passport
- Certificate of Naturalization
or
- Certificate of Citizenship.
U.S. CITIZENS/CHILD:
To Prove Child's Identity (a document showing the child's name, identifying information such as date of birth/age/parent's name, and preferably a photograph such as one of the following):
- State-issued non-driver's identification card
- U.S. passport
- Adoption decree
- Doctor, clinic, or hospital record
- Religious record
- School or daycare center record
or
- School identification card.
Note: Birth certificate cannot be used to prove identity.
To Prove Age:
- U.S. birth certificate (if one exists, the applicant MUST submit it).
- If a birth certificate does not exist, then one of the following documents may be accepted including religious record made before the age of 5 showing the applicant's date of birth, U.S. hospital record of the applicant's birth, or U.S. passport.
To Prove Child's U.S. Citizenship (one of the following documents):
- U.S. birth certificate
- U.S. consular report of birth abroad
- U.S. passport
- Certificate of Naturalization
or
- Certificate of Citizenship.
To Prove Identity of Applicant on Behalf of Child (a current document showing the applicant's name, identifying information and photograph such as one of the following):
- U.S. driver's license
- State-issued nondriver's identification card
or
- U.S. passport.
NON-U.S. CITIZENS/ADULT:
To Prove Immigration Status (one of the following documents):
- I-94, Arrival/Departure Record
- I-551, Permanent Resident Card (green card)
or
- I-776, Employment Authorization Card (EAD, work permit) from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Note: Students and exchange visitors must show their I-94 as well as additional papers.
To Prove Age:
- Foreign birth certificate (if the applicant has one or can get a copy within 10 business days, the applicant MUST submit it).
- If a birth certificate does not exist or the applicant cannot get a copy, then one of the following documents may be accepted including foreign passport, I-551(Permanent Resident Card - aka green card), or I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record).
To Prove Identity (one of the following):
- I-94, Arrival/Departure Record
- I-551, Permanent Resident Card (green card)
or
- I-776, Employment Authorization Card (EAD, work permit) from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
To Prove Work Eligibility (one of the following documents):
- I-94, Arrival/Departure Record allowing the applicant to work
- I-551, Permanent Resident Card (green card)
or
- I-776, Employment Authorization Card (EAD, work permit) from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
To Prove Non-Work Reason:
- An original letter from a government agency explaining a new, current, valid non-work reason for needing a card.
