Applying for an Iowa Driver's License or Non-Driver Identification Card

Proof of Identity for an Iowa Driver's License or ID

An Iowa-issued photo driver’s license or identification (ID) card is satisfactory proof of age and identity. If you are age 18 or older and are applying for a new or duplicate driver’s license or ID card, you must provide one item from the primary list and one item from the secondary list shown below. The documents must be issued in the United States unless otherwise specified.

If you are younger than 18 years old and not married, you must furnish a primary form of ID, a secondary form of ID, a parent’s consent form, and proof of a Social Security number. Your Social Security card may be used for secondary ID and proof of a Social Security number. The consent form shows your parent‘s or guardian’s permission to drive.

If you are younger than 18 years old and married, you may prove your age and identity by showing a primary form of ID, a certified marriage certificate, and proof of a Social Security number.

Driver license personnel will determine if documents provided from this list are acceptable.
Photocopies and faxes of documents will not be accepted.
Out-of-State driver licenses or IDs will NOT be accepted as a primary document.

Primary & Secondary Identity Document List

Primary List:

Iowa photo driver’s license or Iowa photo ID card. These are satisfactory proof of age and identity that serve as both primary and secondary forms of ID.
Birth certificate issued in the United States. It must be certified, have a stamp or raised seal of the issuing authority and be issued by the state bureau of vital statistics, the state board of health or comparable agency. A hospital-issued birth certificate (usually with footprints) is NOT acceptable.
Approved and acceptable United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) document from the following list: Certificate of Naturalization (N-550, N-570, or N-578); Certificate of Citizenship (N-560, N-561, or N-645); Permanent Resident Card (I-551); Record of Arrival and Departure (I-94) with attached photo and stamped “Temporary Proof of Lawful Permanent Resident;” valid foreign passport stamped “Processed for I-551;” Travel Document indicating Permit to Re-enter (I-327); Refugee Travel Document (I-571); Record of Arrival and Departure (I-94) in a Certificate of Identity; Employment Authorization Card (I-688A, I-688B, or I-766); Record of Arrival and Departure (I-94) stamped “Refugee,” “Parolee,” or “Asylee;” Record of Arrival and Departure (I-94) coded Section 207 (Refugee), 208 (Asylum), 209 (Refugees), 212d(5) (Parolee), HP (Humanitarian Parolee), or PIP (Public Interest Parolee).
Military ID card. This does NOT include a military dependent ID card.
Valid United States passport.
Iowa Department of Corrections Inmate Descriptor Inquiry form, Client Information Inquiry form, or Offender Snapshot document. The form must be notarized and contain the full name and date of birth.

Secondary List:

Any primary document.
Bureau of Indian Affairs or Indian Treaty Card. A tribal ID card is NOT acceptable.
Photo driver’s license or state-issued photo ID card that has NOT been expired for more than one year.
Court order that contains the applicant’s FULL name.
Foreign birth certificate. It must be translated by an approved translator, if translation is necessary.
Military discharge, military orders or separation papers.
Military dependent ID card.
Employer ID card.
Health insurance card.
Document issued by the Internal Revenue Service or a state tax agency. W-2 tax forms completed by the employer are acceptable.
Marriage certificate.
Gun permit.
Pilot’s license.
Certified school record or transcript.
Social Security card issued by the Social Security Administration. A metal version of the card is not acceptable.
Social Insurance card issued by the Canadian government.
Photo student ID card.
Voter registration card.
Welfare card.
Prison release document.
Parent or guardian affidavit. The parent or guardian must appear in person, submit proof of the parent’s or guardian’s age and identity and submit a certified or notarized affidavit regarding the child’s identity. This applies only to minors.