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DPS Texas Identification Requirements for an Identification Card

The State issued identification certificates (I.D. Card) are the nationally accepted form of identification and both are used daily to establish identity at airports, banks, when writing checks, voting, or applying for governmental aid. Due to their extensive use as a person's primary source of identity the department has the responsibility to correctly determine an applicant's identity.

All original applicants for an identification certificate must present proof of identity satisfactory to the department. (All applicants for a driver license must also provide proof of their social security number). All documents must be verifiable by the source that issued the document.

There are three categories of documents that may be presented to establish proof of identity. Every original applicant must present: one piece of primary identification; or one piece of secondary identification plus two pieces of support identification; or two pieces of secondary identification.

Primary Identification:
These items are complete within themselves and require no supporting instruments: These documents must contain the applicant's complete name and full date of birth.

1. Texas driver license (DL) or identification certificate (ID) with photograph within two years after the expiration date.

2. Unexpired United States Passport;

3. United States citizenship (naturalization) certificate with identifiable photograph;

4. Unexpired United States Immigration and Naturalization Service document with verified date and identifiable photograph;

5. Unexpired United States military ID card for active duty, reserve or retired personnel with identifiable photograph.

Secondary Identification:
These items are recorded governmental documents ( United States , one of the fifty states, a United States territory, District of Columbia , or Canadian province).

1. Original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by the appropriate State Bureau of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency.

2. Original or certified copy of United States Department of State Certification of Birth (issued to United States citizens born abroad) or;

3. Unexpired photo DL or photo ID issued by another ( United States ) state, US territory, the District of Columbia , or Canadian province;

4. Original or certified copy of court order with name and date of birth or;

5. for applicants born before 1961, the following items would be acceptable in the category:

a) original or certified copy of Form DD-214;

b) original or certified copy of other state or federal governmental record that states name and date of birth (such as United States records or Social Security records).

Supporting Identification:
These items consist of other records or documents that aid examining personnel in establishing the identity of the applicant. The following items are not all inclusive. The examining or supervisory personnel may determine that an unlisted document meets the department's needs in establishing identity.

1. school records;

2. insurance policy (at least two years old);

3. vehicle title;

4. military records;

5. unexpired military dependant identification card;

6. original or certified copy of marriage license or divorce decree;

7. voter registration card;

8. Social Security card;

9. pilot's license;

10. concealed handgun license;

11. Texas driver license temporary receipt;

12. expired driver license or identification certificate issued by another state, territory, District of Columbia , or Canadian province that is within two years of the expiration date.

13. a foreign passport (with or without a United States Visa); or

14. a consular document issued by a state or national government.