Drivers License Identification Requirements

Your local DMV office provides a variety of services many related to drivers licenses. Below are identification requirements when obtaining a drivers license in Florida.

Identification Requirements

As of Jan 1, 2010 the State of Florida has implemented strict ID requirements for a New Drivers License or Identification Card.

Renewing Your Florida Drivers License

If you are renewing a current Florida Drivers License you may renew your license online or via mail one time only. After you have used these convenience methods once you must visit a Florida DMV office and provide the required ID (see below.)

New Drivers License or ID

If you are applying for a new Florida Drivers License, ID Card, or have legally changed your name you Must Provide the Documents listed below.

The three types of documents requirements include: 1) Primary Identification; 2) Proof of Social Security Number; and, 3) Two (2) Proofs of Residential Address.

First Time Drivers

If you have never had a drivers license before you will be required to complete the Drug Alcohol Traffic Awareness (DATA) course.

Find Your Requirements

US Citizens

Florida law requires identification, proof of date of birth, proof of residential address, and proof of social security number (if issued, Chapter 322, Florida Statutes, requires the Department of Motor Vehicles see proof of social security number for the issuance of driver license and identification cards) from all customers before a driver license or identification card can be issued.

The name assigned to the social security number must match the name that will appear on the Florida driver license or identification card. If you have recently changed your name, update your records with the Social Security Administration before you apply for your license or identification card.

All U.S. citizens renewing or applying for a New Driver License or Identification Card in person after January 1, 2010 must submit:

1. Primary Identification

An Original or Certified Primary Identification Document may be one of the following:

Note: When necessary, marriage certificates, court orders, or divorce decrees must be provided to tie the name on the primary identification to the name the customer would like to place on the driver license or identification card.


2. Proof of Social Security Number

If you Do NOT have a Social Security Number:

If you do not have a social security number, you must bring a letter from the Social Security Administration indicating that you were never issued one. In addition, you will need to present at least one proof of ID from the following list:

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3. Two (2) Proofs of Residential Address

Gather two (2) of the following documents showing your residential address (internet printouts or faxes of these documents are acceptable):

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Immigrants

Immigrants that apply for a Florida Drivers License or ID card must provide Proof of Social Security Number and 2 Proofs of Residential Address described above.

As an Immigrant you must provide one original or certified copy of the following Identification documents:

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Non Immigrants

Non Immigrants that apply for a Florida Drivers License or ID card must provide Proof of Social Security Number and 2 Proofs of Residential Address described above.

As a Non Immigrant you must provide one original or certified copy of the following Identification documents:

If in doubt regarding required documents, please bring all of your US BCIS documentation with you. I-94s must be accompanied by a Passport. Certain classifications require additional documentation. Some examples are:
F-1 and M-1 classification must also be accompanied by an I-20.
I J-1 or J-2 designation must be accompanied by an DS2019.
Refugee, asylee and parolee classifications must be accompanied by additional documentation.

**These documents will only be accepted with a supporting document, including but not limited to a Passport, Florida Driver License or Identification Card, Driver License from any other state, Employment Authorization Card, Employer Identification, Identification from home country, Identification from school or college, Social Security Card (Chapter 322, Florida Statutes, requires the Department to see proof of social security number for the issuance of driver license and identification cards) or other US BCIS document.

Notes:
All required and supporting documents MUST be original or certified.
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 30-day, no photo, paper temporary permit and a receipt. Non-U.S. citizens applying for an identification card will be issued a receipt.
All records are transmitted to the DMV's database in Tallahassee, where the information is examined and run against FDLE, FBI and US BCIS databases.
Upon identity and legal status verification, a driver license or identification card will be issued within 30 days from the DMV in Tallahassee, mailed to the address on the driver record. The license or identification card will be issued for the period of time specified on the US BCIS document, up to a maximum of one year.
If a problem is detected, a denial of issuance letter will be mailed to the customer.

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Canadians

Canadians citizens that wish to be issued a Florida Driver License or state of Florida ID card must provide the Proof of Social Security Number and 2 Proofs of Residential address described above.

As a Canadian Citizen you must provide one original or certified copy of the following identification documents:

Complete details for drivers license identification requirements are in the Florida drivers manual.

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