Real ID Overview

Learn how you can obtain a Real ID before the deadline.

Read on to see what documents you'll need to bring to a branch to obtain a Real ID. You can also download the requirements in the Real ID Documentation Checklist. Para español: Lista de Verificación de Real ID.

What is a Real ID?

Beginning May 7, 2025, a Real ID-compliant driver’s license, permit, or identification card will be required to board commercial airplanes or enter certain federal facilities. A Real ID is indicated by the star in the upper right-hand corner of your driver’s license, permit, or state identification card.

Required Documents to Obtain a Real ID

To obtain a Real ID, Hoosiers must visit a BMV branch and provide the following documentation from each of the below categories:

ONE document proving your identity is required.

Acceptable documents you can use to prove your identity include:

• United States birth certificate. Must be an original or certified copy filed with a U.S. state or territory office of vital statistics or equivalent agency in your state of birth. Puerto Rican-born citizens must provide a birth certificate issued on or after July 1, 2010.
• Unexpired United States passport.
• Foreign passport with a visa and I-94 form.
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad. The Consular Report of Birth Abroad is only issued to citizens that are under 18 years of age.

Need a complete list of approved documents?

Legal proof showing any changes to your name, date of birth, or gender.

If your current legal name, date of birth, or gender is different from what is displayed on your identity or lawful status document, you must show legal proof of the changes made.

Acceptable documents supporting a change include:

NAME

• Adoption papers.
• Marriage license.
• Divorce decree.
• Court order approving a change of legal name or date of birth.
• An original or certified copy of an amended birth certificate showing a change of name.

DATE OF BIRTH

• Court order approving a change of legal name or date of birth.
• An original or certified copy of an amended birth certificate showing a change in date of birth.

GENDER

• A certified, amended birth certificate; or
• A Physician’s Statement of Gender Change; or
• A physician’s signed and dated statement, on letterhead, that includes the language from 140 IAC 7-1.1-3 “ successfully underwent all treatment necessary to permanently change gender from to .”

Need a complete list of approved documents?

ONE document proving lawful status is required.

In most cases, the document presented to prove your identity will also prove your lawful status in the United States.

Acceptable documents used to prove your lawful status include:

• United States birth certificate. Must be an original or certified copy filed with a U.S. state or territory office of vital statistics or equivalent agency in your state of birth. Puerto Rican-born citizens must provide a birth certificate issued on or after July 1, 2010.
• Unexpired United States passport.
• Unexpired Foreign passport with a visa and I-94 form.
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad.

For information on eligibility for individuals paroled into the United States, please review the FAQ below.

Need a complete list of approved documents?

ONE document proving your social security is required.

Acceptable documents you can use to prove your social security include:

• Social Security card.
• W-2 form.
• SSA-1099 form.
• Non-SSA-1099 form.
• Pay stub with your name and Social Security number on it.
• Social Security Administration documents establishing that you are ineligible for a Social Security number.

Need a complete list of approved documents?

TWO printed documents proving your Indiana residency are required.

Acceptable documents (must be printed) proving your Indiana residency include:

• Computer-generated bill from a utility company, credit card company, doctor, or hospital, issued within 60 days of the date you visit a BMV branch, and containing your name and address of residence.
• Bank statement.
• Pre-printed pay stub.
• Medicaid or Medicare benefit statement.

Need a complete list of approved documents?

FAQs

Indiana requires all new license, permit, or ID card applicants to provide documents that prove identity, lawful status, SSN, and residency. In return the BMV will issue a Real ID compliant credential. Real ID documentation will not be required on subsequent transactions unless the applicant has temporary or permanent resident status.

A non-compliant license or ID card indicates you have not provided the documents necessary to validate your identity, lawful status, SSN, and/or residency. Only Hoosiers that currently have a non-compliant license or ID card may maintain or apply for a non-compliant license or ID card. More information can be found on requirements for parolees in the FAQs on this page. Please be advised that a non-compliant license or ID card will allow you to drive and/or vote, but it will not be acceptable for federal identification purposes.

Birth Certificate

• Contact the county health departments in Indiana
• Contact health departments in other states

Social Security Card

If you do not have your social security card in your possession, you may request a replacement card from the Social Security Administration.

Documents Proving Residency

If you cannot provide two documents proving your Indiana residency you may submit an Indiana Residency Affidavit if you meet the following qualifications:

• You are under the age of 18. An Indiana Residency Affidavit for you must be signed at a BMV branch by another person. The person signing the affidavit must submit their valid Indiana driver’s license or identification card, one document proving identity, and two documents proving Indiana residency, or a Real ID compliant Indiana credential reflecting the correct legal address.
• You are at least 18 years old but cannot submit the required documents. An Indiana Residency Affidavit for you must be signed at a BMV branch by a person who you are living with. The person signing the affidavit must submit a valid Indiana driver's license or identification card, one document proving identity, and two documents proving Indiana residency, or a Real ID compliant Indiana credential reflecting the correct legal address.
• You are incapacitated. An Indiana Residency Affidavit for you must be signed at a BMV branch by another person who is your legal guardian or caregiver, is at least 18 years old, and with whom you are living. The legal guardian or caregiver must submit a valid Indiana driver’s license or identification card, one document proving identity, and two documents proving Indiana residency.
• You do not have an address of residence and you live at a group resident facility. An Indiana Residency Affidavit for you must be signed at a BMV branch by a legal representative of the group resident facility. You must also provide a letter from the group resident facility on its letterhead showing the facility’s name, address, and telephone number, and showing the legal representative’s name, signature, and signature date.
• Homeless applicants without a residence address. You must complete a residency affidavit and provide a letter from the government entity or not-for-profit organization on its letterhead showing the facility’s name, address, and telephone number, and showing the legal representative’s name, signature, and signature date. The legal representative must state in the letter that the entity or organization provides services to the applicant and will accept delivery of mail for the applicant.
• You reside in a motor vehicle, including, but not limited to, a mobile home or motor home. An Indiana Residency Affidavit for you must be signed at a branch by another Indiana resident who attests that you may use his or her address of residence for record purposes. The person signing the affidavit must submit two documents proving Indiana residency. You must provide proof of paying Indiana income taxes for the current year or immediately prior year and have current motor vehicle title and registration records with the BMV.
• You have a rural route mail delivery address. You must provide a properly certified government-issued document showing your name and a description of the residence’s location.

Eligible Afghanistan Nationals Paroled into the U.S The Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act, includes a provision making certain citizens and nationals of Afghanistan paroled into the United States eligible for REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses, permits and identification cards. Parolees must present all documentation as listed on the Real ID Documentation List. All Other Individuals Paroled into the U.S. To qualify for an Indiana credential, paroled individuals, except certain Afghan nationals, will have to show documentation to support a viable lawful status beyond their parole status. Many paroled individuals may qualify for Temporary Protective Status (TPS), Asylum status or other lawful statuses. House Bill 1162 repealed the parole language, except for certain Afghans, Indiana can now only issue credentials to parolees that have lawful status. Additional Information for Paroled Individuals If you need information on Real ID eligibility, please review the Frequently Asked Questions on the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service website (USCIS). The Bureau of Motor Vehicles is providing this external links to the United States Department of Homeland Security site as a convenience and for informational purposes only. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.

Need more help with the required documentation?

If you’re still having trouble producing the necessary documentation for a Real ID, please reach out to our Customer Contact Center at

888-692-6841

We’re here to help you Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (EDT).