What exact set of documents do individual state DMVs require to obtain a REAL ID, and how does that vary by state?

1. What the federal floor actually demands, and why states still decide the details

The Department of Homeland Security/TSA sets the minimum documentary categories an applicant must prove: 1) full legal name; 2) date of birth; 3) Social Security number (or documentation of ineligibility); 4) two proofs of principal residence; and 5) lawful status — but it does not list a single universal checklist of exact documents for every state, leaving states to specify acceptable documents and verification steps ^{[1] [2]}. That federal/state split explains why every DMV asks for the same types of evidence but shows different acceptable items, retention rules, and in‑office procedures ^{[4] [6]}.

2. Common documents that generally satisfy each federal category

Across state DMV guidance, applicants are typically asked to present a primary identity/lawful‑status document such as a certified birth certificate or U.S. passport, a Social Security document (card, W‑2, 1099) or proof of ineligibility, and two proofs of residency such as utility bills, lease agreements, or bank statements — all usually required as originals or government‑issued copies ^{[3] [7] [1]}. States commonly require presentation in person and often will verify submitted records with issuing agencies, a process that can take more than a day ^{[8] [9]}.

3. How state requirements diverge in practice — concrete examples

Some states have specific twists: Illinois explicitly lists “one document with your full Social Security number” such as a Social Security card, W‑2, or 1099, though that requirement may be waived if a valid Illinois license previously recorded the SSN ^[5]. Missouri frames its checklist as one document to verify identity and date of birth plus one to verify lawful status, and emphasizes originals and retention for verification ^[9]. Washington stresses that standard IDs say “Federal limits apply” and that an Enhanced Driver’s License has different citizenship and residency proofs ^[10]. Michigan notes that DMVs verify applicants’ status with federal systems and that temporary licenses don’t count for REAL ID purposes ^[8].

4. Procedural differences that matter to applicants

Variations among states include whether electronic or certified copies are accepted (federal 2020 changes allowed electronic versions but practice varies), whether prior state IDs can waive Social Security documentation, whether appointments or walk‑in “supercenters” are used, and whether temporary paper licenses qualify ^{[4] [5] [6]}. Fees, processing times, and whether the DMV will mark a card with the REAL ID star or an alternate indicator also differ by jurisdiction ^{[11] [2]}.

5. Policy friction and privacy tradeoffs behind the paperwork

The Real ID framework centralizes verification and, in some states, data‑sharing via state‑to‑state services and driver history systems — a feature adopted unevenly (44 jurisdictions in S2S and 39 in DHR as of 2026) that fuels both efficiency and privacy concerns depending on the state’s implementation and retention rules ^[4]. Critics and consumer groups have highlighted costs and bureaucratic burdens; proponents say the uniformity reduces fraud and helps airport security — a policy tension reflected in phased rollouts and public messaging from DHS and TSA ^{[12] [11]}.

6. What this reporting cannot provide and how to proceed

This analysis cannot enumerate the exact paper‑by‑paper checklist for each of the 56 issuing jurisdictions because the provided sources give federal minimums and a handful of state examples rather than full, state‑by‑state document matrices; applicants should consult their home state DMV or the TSA/DHS REAL ID portal for jurisdiction‑specific, current checklists before visiting ^{[2] [6]}.