Proof of Identity & Residency

You must be a Nevada resident and provide a Nevada street address to obtain any driver's license, instruction permit or ID card.

You must also surrender any existing U.S.-issued license or ID card.

Required Documents

All documents must be valid originals or certified copies that were issued in the United States (except foreign passports). The DMV does not accept photocopies.

Nevada has three sets of requirements for proof of identity, including a Real ID license or ID card that meets federal requirements, a standard Nevada license/ID or a Driver Authorization Card (DAC). Please review the following lists and choose the card that is right for you.

Real ID Standard DAC

Real ID Driver License, Permit or ID Card

A license, permit or ID issued in compliance with the Real ID Act of 2005 is marked by a gold Nevada outline with a star cutout. It is a valid ID for boarding aircraft, entering federal facilities where ID is required or entering nuclear power plants.

You must present all of the following:

Proof of Identity

Present one of the following:

Licenses and ID cards will be marked “LIMITED TERM" when immigration documents are used to prove identity.

Documents we do NOT accept

Many of these are acceptable for a Driver Authorization Card.

Proof of Name Change(s)

If your Proof of Identity document contains your current full legal name, you do not need to provide proof of any name change. Skip this section.

If not, you must present documentation of all name change(s) to show how your name changed from the identity document to your current legal name. These documents are accepted:

An updated Social Security card is not sufficient proof of a name change. The DMV will use the name exactly as listed.

In a case of multiple name changes, you will be asked for marriage certificates or other proof of each change. Divorce decrees must reference the former name before marriage.

Upon the death of your spouse, you may change your middle and last names back to the names used prior to your marriage. You must present both the death and marriage certificates. The deceased person's name must match on both.

Proof of Social Security Number

Present one of the following to prove your Social Security number if a number has been issued to you.

Documents must list your current legal name and the complete Social Security number.

Proof of Nevada Residential Address

You must present two of the following documents which show your name and Nevada residential address.

Original printouts from online accounts are accepted.

Original or Certified Copy Dated Within 60 Days

Original or Certified Copy of Last-Issued Document

Department-Approved Forms

Standard Nevada License or ID Card

A standard Nevada license does not meet Real ID requirements. It is marked "NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES."

As of May 7, 2025, these cards will not be accepted as identification for boarding aircraft. They are not currently accepted for entering federal facilities where ID is required or entering nuclear power plants.

Proof of Identity

Present one of the following:

Licenses and ID cards will be marked “LIMITED TERM" when immigration documents are used to prove identity.

Documents we do NOT accept

Many of these are acceptable for a Driver Authorization Card.

Proof of Name Change(s)

Proof of Social Security Number

Proof of Residential Address

Driver Authorization Card

A Driver Authorization Card is marked "NOT VALID FOR ID."

It is a license to drive a vehicle only.

You must present all of the following:

Proof of Identity

You may provide any of the documents required for a Real ID or standard license,

OR one of the following documents:

OR two of the following documents:

Proof of Name Change(s)

Translation(s)

Any document in a language other than English must be properly translated to English before it can be accepted. Any document translated from a foreign language to English is required to include all of the following:

"I, [insert translator’s full legal name], certify that the foregoing is a complete and accurate translation from [insert foreign language] to the English language to the best of my ability. I further certify that I am fully competent to translate from [insert foreign language] into the English language and that I am proficient in both languages.
DMV Approved Translator Number: ________________"

See DMV Approved Translators to locate a translator in your area.

Proof of Residential Address

Real ID compliant cards must have the physical address printed on the card. Standard cards and driver authorization cards may show either the physical or mailing address.

Veterans

Honorably-discharged U.S. veterans may have a Veteran designation placed on their license or ID. Present your DD-214 or other evidence of honorable discharge. Visit archives.gov to obtain a copy of your DD-214 or other discharge document.

There is no additional fee if you are completing another license or iD transaction. If you are obtaining the designation only, the fee is $8.25 for a non-commercial license or ID card or $12.25 for a commercial license.

Where to get documents

To apply for U.S. issued proof of identity documents such as birth or marriage certificates, contact the state or county Vital Statistics Office where the document was issued. A list is available from the National Center for Health Statistics. You may also use vitalchek.com or a similar commercial service.

You may be able to order a replacement Social Security card online through a My Social Security account. If not, see Documents You Need for a Social Security card on the SSA website.

Non-U.S. Citizens

Nevada does not issue licenses or ID cards to tourists. Other non U.S. citizens may, or may not, be eligible for a license or a driver authorization card depending on their specific immigration status.

Email or call before applying. Please include the Status Code issued by the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. The type of license or ID issued is determined by immigration status.

The DMV may ask for additional documentation in certain circumstances including an I-20 form, a DS-2019 or other immigration document.

Non citizens who possess U.S. issued immigration documents may qualify for a Real ID or a standard license or ID card. These will be marked "LIMITED TERM."

Non U.S. Citizens who have applied for, but not received, a Social Security number may attest to this on the driver license application. They are not required to provide proof of a Social Security number.

Others may qualify for a Driver Authorization Card, which is not valid for identification. See Proof of Identity for a Driver Authorization Card.

Canada and U.S. Territories

Applicants from Canada and U.S. territories surrendering a non-commercial driver’s license follow the same testing procedures as an applicant surrendering a license from another U.S. state. Knowledge and skills tests may be waived for applicants 21 and older.

Taiwan Reciprocity

The DMV will waive the driving skills test for applicants from Taiwan who hold a valid class B Taiwan driver’s license. This applies to a Nevada Class C Non-Commercial license only.

Taiwanese nationals may apply for the waiver if they meet all of the following conditions:

Applicants must take the vision and knowledge tests and meet all other requirements including Proof of Identity and Residency.

How To Apply

Requirements differ depending on the type of card.

Residency Laws

Active duty military members, their spouses, dependents and others living temporarily in Nevada are not required to transfer their license and registration. Licenses are not issued to visitors.

Nevada Revised Statutes 482.103 and 483.141 "Resident" defined.

  1. "Resident" includes, but is not limited to, a person:
    1. Whose legal residence is in the State of Nevada.
    2. Who engages in intrastate business and operates in such a business any motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer, or any person maintaining such vehicles in this state, as the home state of such vehicles.
    3. Who physically resides in this state and engages in a trade, profession, occupation or accepts gainful employment in this state.
    4. Who declares himself to be a resident of this state to obtain privileges not ordinarily extended to nonresidents of this state.