Acceptable Proof Documents
Proof of Identity Documents
- An original or certified copy of a United States-issued birth certificate (U.S. Department of State and U.S. Military birth certificates ARE acceptable, hospital birth certificates and Bureau of Census records are NOT acceptable)
- To obtain a birth certificate, if you were born in West Virginia, contact the Office of Vital Statistics or the County Clerk at the courthouse of the county in which you were born. If you were born in another state, the National Center for Health Statistics has information on how to obtain a birth certificate.
- Valid, unexpired U.S. Passport or official U.S. Passport card
- If foreign born, valid, unexpired Department of Homeland Security (DHS) document(s) or acceptable alternatives as outlined below:
- Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) issued by DHS (or INS)
- Employment authorization document (EAD) issued by DHS, Form I-766 or Form I-688B
- Certificate of Naturalization issued by DHS, Form N-550 or Form N-570
- Certificate of Citizenship, Form N-560 or Form N-561, issued by DHS
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) issued by the U.S. Department of State, Form FS-240, DS-1350 or FS-545
- Foreign passport with a valid, unexpired U.S. visa affixed accompanied by the approved I-94 form documenting the applicant's most recent admittance into the United States
Proof of Social Security Number Documents
- Social Security card
- Original Wage and Tax Statement (W-2) or payroll stub with the applicant's employer name and employer ID number, as well as the applicant's name, address, and Social Security number (a photocopy of a W-2 is not acceptable) (You may use the same W-2 as one proof of WV residency, provided it is not more than 18 months old)
- 1099 form with applicant's full Social Security number and name
Please make sure your Social Security records reflect your full legal name, as reflected on your other documents. DMV must be able to establish a name connection between documents, therefore your full legal name must match your name on file with the Social Security Administration. If an applicant is not eligible for a social security number, then the applicant must submit a denial letter from the Social Security Administration. The Division checks every social security number with the SSA. If you have a problem with the SSA, such as name or date of birth does not match with records of the DMV, and SSA then you must have the problem corrected before you can be issued a permit, license, or identification card. Your documents will be scanned and returned to you, which will provide DMV with a historical record, and provide you with additional protection, per the Federal Real ID Act of 2005. Please visit the Social Security Administration website for information about obtaining a Social Security number.
Proof of Legal Name Change Documents
DMV must be able to establish a link between any legal name changes — Please call 1-800-642-9066 to clarify which proof of name change document(s) you will need to bring in to obtain your license or ID card (you may be required to provide all or some of the following proof below)
- Certified marriage certificate (for each marriage if married more than once, souvenir documents or Minister's copies are not acceptable)
- If you need to obtain one, contact the county courthouse in the county and state in which you were married (view the West Virginia courthouse directory);
- Original or certified copy of a birth certificate with amended legal name
- To obtain a birth certificate, if you were born in West Virginia, contact the Office of Vital Statistics. If you were born in another state, the National Center for Health Statistics has information on how to obtain a birth certificate.
- Court Order with legal name / name change
- Certified divorce decree(s) with legal name / name change
- If you are age 50 or over and have satisfied all other documentation requirements, hold a current WV license or ID card in the name being verified, and have gone through at least one WV renewal cycle, a signed statement may be submitted in lieu of the name change document.
Proof of West Virginia Residency Documents
You will be required to provide TWO proofs of West Virginia residency. Documents with a PO Box are not acceptable. Any recurring document cannot be more than 60 days old. You may not use more than one document issued by the same company.
Acceptable Documents
- WV utility bills (not more than 60 days old)
- Tax records with a WV street address
- WV mortgage documents, homeowner insurance documents, or proof of WV home ownership
- WV W-2 form not more than 18 months old
- WV weapons permit
- Valid WV vehicle registration card
- WV Voter's Registration card
- Driver's Eligibility Certificate (only if it has a WV street address)
- WV Homestead Tax exemption
- Proof of WV public assistance
- Residential rental or lease agreement
- WV DMV Affidavit of West Virginia Residency
- College admissions letter showing in-state residency
- Pay check stub from any WV employer showing a current physical address (cannot be hand-written)
- Social Security benefits letter
- WV Professional License
- WV bank statement
- WV auto insurance card
- WV hunting license
- 911 letter
- Affidavit of WV Facility Residency (for those residing in a WV shelter, hotel, nursing home, or other similar facility)
Download the brochure on the new driver's license and ID card requirements.
Changes to Birth Date, Social Security Number
The license or identification card holder shall substantiate a change of name by marriage with a certified marriage certificate. The license or identification card holder may choose from the following options to display his or her name on the driver's license. However, a court order specifying a change of name supersedes a birth certificate and certified marriage certificate.
- Last name, first name then middle name as evidenced by the applicant's certified birth certificate
- Last name of spouse, as evidenced by the applicant's certified marriage certificate, then the first name and middle name as evidenced by the applicant's birth certificate
- Last name as evidenced by the applicant's marriage license, first name, then maiden name as evidenced by the applicant's birth certificate to stand in place of the middle name
- Any change in the birth date requires a certified birth certificate.
- Any change or correction of the Social Security number requires a Social Security card (non-metal and not a printout from SSA).
- Any change of gender requires the submission of the Gender Designation Form, which must be fully and accurately completed and signed by a licensed physician.
