ODPS Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles Acceptable Identification Documents

Primary Documents

(Must include full legal name and date of birth)

• Certificate of Birth - Either an original or certified copy, with a seal, and issued by an appropriate government agency. Must contain gender.
• Certified Copy of Court Order - Must contain the full name and date of birth of the applicant.
• Concealed Weapons Permit - A valid Ohio issued permit with photograph.
• Driver License - Any state, territory, or possession of the United States, with photograph, current or expired not more than six months.
• Military Identification - A valid United States military service or dependent identification document with photograph.
• Offender Release Card - Valid issued by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction or DYS Department of Youth Services; containing the person’s photograph, name, date of birth and Social Security number.
• State Issued Identification Card - Any state, territory, or possession of the United States, with photograph, current or expired not more than six months.
• State Issued Learners Permit - Any state, territory, or possession of the United States, with photograph, current or expired not more than six months.
• United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (Uscis) Documents - Must be an original and valid, or like documents issued by the successor agency to the USCIS.
• Valid Passport - A valid United States Passport or United States Passport Card, with photograph or a passport with photograph from another country accompanied by appropriate USCIS documents.
• Any other genuine and reliable document approved by the BMV Registrar (not deputy registrar)

Note: Additional documentation may be required if the documentation provided is questionable. Contact must be made by Deputy Registrar to the BMV License Control Help Desk for more information.

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Secondary Documents

(Must Include Social Security Number if not on Primary Document)

• Bureau of American Indian Affairs Card or American Indian Treaty Card - Tribal Identification card is not acceptable.
• Certified Copy of a Court Order – A certified copy of a court order with or without the date of birth.
• Credit Card
• Department of Human Services Card - May or may not have photo.
• Employer Identification Card - With photograph.
• Foreign Birth Certificate - Accompanied by an approved translator if the birth certificate is not in English.
• Gun Permit - With photograph.
• Health Insurance Card – Current and valid.
• Internal Revenue Service or State Tax Form - Issued by the appropriate governmental agency. W-2 forms are not acceptable.
• Marriage Certificate – Or marriage license.
• Medical Records – From a doctor or hospital.
• Military Dependent Identification - Must be valid with photograph.
• Military Discharge – Separation papers.
• Motor Vehicle Title – But no vehicle registration.
• Pilot’s License
• Public Assistance Card – Issued by a governmental agency.
• School Record or Transcript - Must be certified copy.
• Social Security – An official social security card or number identification (numident) printout issued by the social security administration, but not a metal card.
• Student Identification Card - With photograph issued by a recognized school or university.
• Voter Registration Card
• Any other genuine and reliable document approved by the BMV Registrar (not deputy registrar)

Note: Additional documentation may be required if the documentation provided is questionable. Contact must be made by Deputy Registrar to the BMV License Control Help Desk for more information.

US Legal Presence Documents

• Certificate of Birth – Either an original or certified copy, with a seal, and issued by an appropriate government agency.
• Valid Passport – A valid United States Passport or United States Passport Card, with photograph or a passport with photograph from another country accompanied by appropriate USCIS documents.
• Naturalization Document – Issued by the United States.
• United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Documents – Must be an original and valid, or like documents issued by the successor agency to the USCIS.

Residency Documents

(Must Include Ohio Residency Street Address)

If the primary and secondary documents presented do not establish the applicant's current Ohio residence street address, the applicant shall present additional documents containing the applicant's name and current address within Ohio to establish that address to the satisfaction of the registrar or deputy registrar. A post office box or other mail box address is not acceptable.

The following documents shall be acceptable if the applicant's current Ohio residence street address is included in the document. Only original documents or a copy bearing an original certification by the issuing authority are acceptable. Uncertified copies or copies of certified documents are not acceptable. Failure to provide two acceptable identification documents and proof of residency in Ohio shall result in the denial of the application.

• Insurance Policy - Any current and valid automobile liability, premises liability, or life insurance policy.
• Bank Statement - Any checking or savings account statement, including on-line statements, dated within the last sixty days.
• Child Support Check Stub - From the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services with the name and address of the applicant.
• Income Tax Return Filing - Copy of federal or Ohio income tax return filing not more than eighteen months old, with proof of filing.
• Certified Copy of Court Order - Must be court order of probation, order of parole, or order of mandatory release.
• School Records - Must contain satisfactory proof of identity, Ohio residency, and relationship of the parent or guardian to the child applicant.
• Certified Statement of Residency - In the case of a dependent child, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) may accept a certified statement of residency from a child's parent or guardian, signed in the presence of a BMV official. Satisfactory proof of identity, Ohio residency, and relationship of the the parent or guardian to the child applicant is also required.
• Certified Statement of Residency - In the case of a married person, the BMV may accept a certified statement of residency from the applicant's spouse, signed in the presence of a BMV official. Satisfactory proof of identity, Ohio residency, and marital relationship is also required.
• Installment Loan Contract - From a bank or other financial institution.
• Major Credit Card Bill - Statement – or major retail store credit card statement with Ohio street address.
• Mortgage Account - Or proof of home ownership.
• Ohio Certificate Of Title
• Ohio Mail-in Renewal Notice
• Valid Ohio Voter Registration Card
• Paycheck Stub - Issued within the last six (6) months.
• Professional License - Issued by an Ohio government agency.
• Property Tax Bill - Or receipt of payment.
• Hunting/Fishing License - Ohio resident hunting or fishing license valid during the current or previous year.
• Sales Tax or Business License - Must show Ohio residence address.
• Selective Service Registration Acknowledgement Card
• Certification of Residency - From a nursing home or homeless shelter on a form prescribed by the registrar for that purpose.
• Utility Bill - From an electric, telephone, water, sewer, cable, satellite, heating oil, or propane provider issued within the last sixty days.
• Concealed Carry Permit - Valid concealed carry weapons permit.
• Public Assistance Check Stub - Check Stub, food stamp card, or letter on government letterhead (issued within the last 12 months), issued by a government public assistance agency.
• Social Security Administration Document – With Ohio street address
• TSA letter
• Other - Any other genuine and reliable document approved BMV Registrar (not deputy registrar).

Note: Additional documentation may be required if the documentation provided is questionable. Contact must be made by Deputy Registrar to the BMV License Control Help Desk for more information.