(en español)

Drivers & Vehicles > Drivers > Getting a driver license> Documentation > 

Acceptable documents for proof of name and date of birth

When applying for an original (first) Wisconsin driver license or identification card, you must provide proof of your name, date of birth, legal presence, identity and residency in Wisconsin.

Documents presented as proof must be original. Photocopies are not acceptable. The following are the acceptable documents for proof of name and date of birth:

• Certified birth certificate from Wisconsin.
• Certified birth certificate from another State or Territory of the United States, or a certificate of birth abroad issued by the U.S. Dept. of State (federal forms FS-545 or DS-1350). Canadian birth certificates are not accepted. In line with Puerto Rico's law, as of October 31, 2010, Wisconsin will not accept any Puerto Rican birth certificate certified before July 1, 2010. More information at www.pr.gov.
• Current (non-expired) U.S. passport.
• Valid foreign passport with federal I-551 or I-94, arrival and departure record.
• Valid Wisconsin driver license/DOT issued ID card, with your photograph and signature.
• Federal I-551 Alien Registration Receipt Card.
• Federal I-94 Arrival-Departure Record (Parole or Refugees Version), a reception and placement program assurance form plus a letter from sponsoring agency and MV3002.
• U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (N-550 or N-570).
• U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561).
• Federal temporary resident card or employment authorization card (I-688, I-688B or I-766).
• Native American Identification Card issued in Wisconsin by a federally recognized tribe.
• Court order with court seal related to the adoption or divorce of the individual or to a name or gender change that includes the person's current full legal name, date of birth and the person's prior name. This does not include an abstract of criminal or civil conviction.
• Armed Forces of the U.S. ID Card; Common Access Card or DD Form 2.
• TSA Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC card).

Documents with a photograph of a person will be accepted only when the person is readily recognizable from the photograph. The department will decline to accept any document presented if it has reason to suspect the authenticity of the document. Questionable documents may require additional review.

Questions? Contact us: Wisconsin DMV email service
Call: (608) 266-2353

All external hyperlinks are provided for your information and for the benefit of the general public. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation does not testify to, sponsor or endorse the accuracy of the information provided on externally linked pages.

Last modified: November 15, 2011
BDS/DIS