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Indiana's Identification Requirements

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The Bureau of Motor Vehicles endeavors to safeguard the integrity of driver documents and to protect the public from false or fraudulent applications. The BMV requires documentation as part of any application for an Indiana driver license, identification card, learner permit or driver education permit. Only original documents or certified facsimiles from the issuing agency will be accepted. The BMV reserves the right to refuse any identification presented that appears fraudulent or unreliable, and altered and expired primary documents will not be accepted. All documents must contain the applicant's name and be in English or contain an English translation.

All Immigration/Naturalization Service (INS), Citizenship and Immigration Service (CIS) or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) documentation presented as identification is verified at a central location. A temporary document may be issued at a license branch until the documents presented have been verified.

Important information on this page:

Necessary documents to get a new license, identification card or permit

If you are applying for a new driver license, identification card, learner permit, or driver education permit you must visit a license branch and present the following documents:

  • One primary document; and
  • One secondary document; and
  • Proof of Social Security number or Social Security ineligibility; and
  • Proof of Indiana residency.

OR

  • One primary document; and
  • Proof of Social Security number or Social Security ineligibility; and
  • Proof of Indiana residency.

A primary or secondary document may also meet the Indiana residency requirement as long as the document shows the applicant's name and correct address.

Necessary documents to renew or amend a license or ID card

If you are renewing or amending a license, identification card, learner permit, or driver education permit you must visit a license branch and present verification of your Social Security number or Social Security ineligibility.

If your address or name has changed since the driver license, identification card, learner permit, or driver education permit was first issued, a document indicating your new address or name must be presented at the license branch:

  • If your address has changed, you will need to present proof of your current address. A primary or secondary document may be used to provide proof of address as long as the document shows your correct name and address.
  • If your name has changed, you will need to present a marriage certificate, or a court order for a divorce or other name change.

If you are renewing or amending an Indiana driver license, permit, or identification card, you must surrender your current driver license, permit, or identification card and verbally verify your Social Security number at a license branch.

Necessary documents to replace a lost or stolen license or ID card

If you are replacing a lost or stolen driver license, identification card, learner permit, or driver education permit you must visit a license branch and present the following documents:

  • One primary document; and
  • One secondary document; and
  • Proof of Social Security number or Social Security ineligibility.

If your address or name has changed since the driver license, identification card, learner permit, or driver education permit was first issued, a document indicating your new address or name must be presented at the license branch:

  • If your address has changed, you will need to present proof of your current address. A primary or secondary document may be used to provide proof of address as long as the document shows your correct name and address.
  • If your name has changed, you will need to present a marriage certificate, or a court order for a divorce or other name change.

Acceptable Primary Documents

Primary Group-acceptable United States documents:

  • US Birth Certificate with authenticating stamp or seal containing the applicant's date of birth, place of birth, and parent's names issued by a county department or county board of health from the applicant's state of birth, a state department or state board of health from the applicant's state of birth, or a verified delayed birth certificate.
  • Certificate of Naturalization/Citizenship
  • Certification of report of birth (DS-1350)
  • U.S. consular report of birth (FS-240)
  • Birth certificate issued by United States territories, including American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands
  • U.S. Veterans Universal Access Identification card with photo
  • U.S. Military/Merchant Marines identification card with photo
  • U.S. Passport

Primary Group-acceptable immigration documents:

  • Valid foreign passport with photo with a visa that includes a valid form I-94 indicating the authorized duration of stay in the United States
  • Valid foreign passport with a current visa that states "Upon Endorsement Serves as Temporary I-551 evidencing Permanent Residence for 1-year"

NOTE: Canadian passports are not required to have a visa or a form I-94. Applicants from the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands do not required to present a visa but must submit a form I-94. Passports with I-94 indicating F-1/F-2 status must provide a valid form I-20 ("Certificate of Eligibility"). For these applicants, the form I-20 serves as a secondary document. Passports with I-94 indicating J-1/J-2 status must be submitted with a valid form DS-2019 ("Certificate of Eligibility"). For these applicants, the form DS-2019 serves as a secondary document.

  • Authorization for parole of an alien into the United States (form I-512)
  • Employment authorization card (I-688B)
  • Employment authorization card (I-766)
  • Form I-94 stamped with "Section 207" refugee status
  • Form I-94 Stamped with "Section 208" asylum status
  • Permanent resident card (I-551)
  • Temporary I-551 stamp/with passport or I-94 with alien number
  • Temporary Resident card (I-688)
  • Travel document (I-131)
  • An I-797 "Notice of Action" including an applicant's "Approval Notice" may be used to extend the validity of an original primary document.

Acceptable Secondary Documents

Any document from the list of Primary Documents may be used as a Secondary Document.

  • Certified academic transcripts from schools in the United States and its territories
  • School report card dated within 12 months of application
  • School identification card with photo or yearbook photo within three years of application
  • An identification card with photo issued by a foreign consulate
  • An identification card with photo issued by the federal government
  • An Indiana identification card
  • A driver license, identification card, or permit with photo issued by another state
  • Original driving record from another state
  • Valid form I-20 with a valid form I-94 and a F-1/F-2 status in passport
  • Valid form DS-2019 with a valid form I-94 and a J-1/J-2 status in passport
  • Indiana county pre-sentence Investigation report with clerk stamp or seal
  • Indiana gun permit
  • Indiana probation identification with photo, name and date of birth
  • Letter from probation officer, caseworker, or social worker on official letterhead, certified with stamp or seal with the applicant's name and signature of the probation officer, caseworker, or social worker
  • Prison release documentation
  • U.S. district court pre-sentence Investigation report with stamp or seal
  • Valid banking card or MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover card issued in the name of the applicant with his or her signature
  • Bank statement issued within sixty (60) days of application
  • Form W-2 (federal or state) or Form 1099 with applicant's name and address
  • Computer generated pay check stub with applicant's name and address
  • Valid employee identification card with photo
  • Valid Indiana professional license
  • Valid insurance card
  • Medicare or Medicaid Card
  • U.S. military discharge or DD214 separation papers
  • U.S. Uniformed services card
  • Divorce decree certified by court of law with stamp or seal.
  • Application of Marriage or Record of Marriage that is certified with stamp or seal

NOTE: Minors making application for an Indiana identification card may present acceptable social security documentation as his or her "secondary" document.

Proof of Indiana Residency

Any document from the list of Primary Documents or Secondary Documents may be used as proof of Indiana residency along with the following documents, as long as the document contains the applicant's name and residential address. For the purpose of this policy, a Post Office Box is not an acceptable residential address.

  • Child support check stub from Indiana Family and Social Services Administration with name and address of the applicant
  • Bill or benefit statement within 60 days of issuance
  • Indiana driver license, identification card or permit with photo
  • Indiana surveyor report
  • Indiana residency affidavit
  • Voter registration card
  • Valid Indiana vehicle or watercraft title or registration

Social Security Number Documents

Required by Indiana State and Federal law for all license and permit transactions

  • Social Security card (laminated Social Security cards are accepted)
  • Social Security card bearing the legend "Valid for Work Only With DHS Authorization"
  • Social Security card bearing the legend "Not Valid for Employment"
  • Numident report - stamped and issued in the applicant's name by the Social Security Administration (SSA)
  • Letter verifying the applicant's Social Security Number issued in the applicant's name, signed and stamped by the SSA
  • Verification letter from the Social Security Administration of the applicant's ineligibility to be issued a Social Security number along with identity and lawful status

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