Department of Motor Vehicles
Proofs of Identity and Date of Birth for NYS Vehicle Registrations or Title Certificates

With the increase in requirements for public security, the DMV frequently updates the list of acceptable proofs of identity and date of birth. Carefully read the requirements described on this page. Make sure that you have the proofs required before you apply for any DMV documents.

You must provide proofs of identity and proof of date of birth that equal a value of six points with all applications for registrations and title certificates. A NYS photo driver license, learner permit or non-driver photo ID that is valid or expired less than two years has a value of six points and is also proof of date of birth.

Note: The proof of identification requirements do not apply to applications by out-of-state residents for interstate in-transit permits or snowmobile registrations.  A current out-of-state driver license is the only proof of identity required for these transactions. There are also some exceptions to the proof of identity requirement for dealers and private service bureaus that deliver documents to a DMV office.

Important:  Any document submitted for proof of identification must be a current and valid document.  The document cannot be an expired document.  The DMV has the authority to verify that your documents are authentic.

Acceptable Documents for Proof of Identity	Point Value of Document	Is this document accepted as Proof of Date of Birth?
A driver license, a learner permit, or a non-driver photo ID card issued by NYS. The photo document must be valid or expired for less than two years.	6	YES
DMV form MV-45 (Statement of Identity), if the applicant is under the age of 21. The form must be signed by a parent or a legal guardian, in front of a DMV representative. Proof of date of birth of applicant and Social Security Card are also required. See form MV-45 for instructions.	6	NO
DMV form MV-45A (Statement Of Identity - For Applicants Represented by Government or Government-Approved Facilities), an identity affidavit completed by a state, federal or local government agent representative for a mentally and/or physically challenged applicant. Proof of date of birth of applicant and Social Security Card are also required. See form MV-45A for instructions.	6	NO
A US passport	4	YES
A Certificate of Citizenship (N-560, N-561, or N-645).	3	YES
A Certificate of Naturalization (N-550, N-570 or N-578).	3	YES
A foreign passport with a valid I-551 stamp. The passport must be in English or translated by an embassy.	3	YES
A Permanent Resident Card I-551. The card must be valid.	3	YES
A foreign passport with a US visa and a valid form I-94 attached.	3	YES
A US Re-entry Permit (I-327) that is not expired.	3	YES
A US Refugee Travel Document (I-571) that is not expired.	3	YES
A US Employment Authorization Card (INS I-688B or I-766) with a photo.	3	YES
A US Military Photo ID Card (issued to military personnel only).	3	YES
A welfare card, a Medicaid card, or a NYS Food Stamp Card with a photo.	3	NO
A pistol permit issued by NYS or NYC.	2	NO
A professional license issued by NYS.	2	NO
A photo driver license issued by another state, jurisdiction or possession of the US, or issued by a province or territory of Canada. The driver license must be valid or expired less than one year.	2	YES
A welfare card, a Medicaid card, or a NYS Food Stamp Card without a photo.	2	NO
A US college photo ID card and an academic transcript.	2	NO
A NYS interim driver license or a computer-generated learner permit, without a photo.	2	NO
A US high school ID card and a report card.	2	NO
A US marriage document, a US divorce document, or a court-issued name change document.	2	NO
A US Social Security card that shows your signature.	2	NO
A NYS registration document for a vehicle or a boat only.	2	NO
A NYS title certificate.	2	NO
A valid Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe ID card.	2	NO
A valid Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe ID card and a Canadian birth certificate.	2	YES
A computer-printed pay stub or employee ID card that shows your name.	1	NO
A high school diploma or GED (General Education Diploma).	1	NO
A supermarket check-cashing card issued in the US with your name pre-printed and your signature.	1	NO
A union card.	1	NO
A health insurance card or a medical prescription card issued in the US.	1	NO
A life insurance policy issued in the US and in effect for at least two years.	1	NO
A utility bill.	1	NO
A Veterans Universal Access Photo ID Card.	1	NO
A W-2 Form that shows your Social Security Number.	1	NO
You can provide only one of these items issued by a financial institution: a bank statement a cancelled check (which displays your pre-printed name) an ATM card or a debit card (which displays your pre-printed name and your signature) a valid major US credit card	1	NO
A birth certificate issued by the US State Department or by a Board of Health or a Bureau of Vital Statistics in the US or a US Territory. US Territories are: American Samoa, Guam, Marianna Islands, Marshall Islands, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Wake Island.	0	YES
A Canadian birth certificate and a Canadian DMV document.	0	YES
A valid Canadian passport (without Immigration documentation).	0	YES
A Certificate of Birth Registration issued by the Department of Health of NYS or NYC. *	0	YES
* The certificate must be an original certificate and must have the stamp or the embossed seal of the agency that issued the certificate. The certificate cannot contain any changes.  The certificate cannot contain any errors in the name or date of birth of the applicant.

If a person different from the registrant applies for a registration at a DMV office, the person who applies must show proof of identity for both parties.

The only acceptable proof of identity is a NYS photo document (driver license, learner permit or non-driver photo ID card). There are no exceptions. If either person does not have a NYS photo document, the DMV cannot process the application.

The second party can provide either the original or a photocopy of the photo document of the registrant, but the second party must provide their original photo document.

The registrant must sign the required forms, not the second party. The second party can sign forms for the registrant if they have Power of Attorney.

Example: A wife will go to a DMV office to apply for a vehicle registration for her husband. The husband must sign all the required forms before the wife takes the forms to the office. At the office, the wife must provide an original or a photocopy of the NYS photo document of the husband. She must also provide her original NYS photo document.