Can a U.S. passport card be used as proof of identity for a state REAL ID application?

1. What the law and federal guidance say about acceptable identity documents

The REAL ID framework requires applicants to prove identity, date of birth, Social Security number, two proofs of address and lawful status, and federal agencies have identified which documents satisfy those requirements; U.S. passports — including the passport card — are repeatedly named as acceptable proof of identity and citizenship in official outreach from the State Department and DHS/TSA ^{[1] [4] [2]}.

2. How government sites describe the passport card’s role

The State Department describes the passport card as a wallet-sized, plastic passport that is “proof of U.S. citizenship and identity” and notes that the passport book and passport card are both REAL ID compliant, making the card explicitly suitable as a primary identity document for REAL ID purposes ^{[5] [6] [1]}.

3. Operational practice at TSA and state DMVs

TSA’s lists of acceptable checkpoint identification include the U.S. passport card among alternative forms of ID travelers may use in lieu of a REAL ID, and the agency and state DMV guidance point applicants to bring federal identity documents — such as passports or passport cards — when seeking a REAL ID upgrade ^{[3] [2] [7]}.

4. Caveats, nuances and common confusions

While the passport card is accepted to establish identity and citizenship for REAL ID issuance, applicants must still meet the full set of document requirements (e.g., Social Security evidence, two proofs of residence, and proof of lawful status where required); state DMVs implement the federal list and may have specific procedural rules (for example, originals vs. copies or certified birth certificates), so a passport card alone may not satisfy every checklist item without complementary documents ^{[8] [7]}. Also, the passport card cannot be used for international air travel — a practical limitation unrelated to its validity for REAL ID purposes ^[5].

5. Tension between REAL ID cards and passports as forms of status

Federal reporting and guidance note an important distinction: REAL ID cards and passports serve different legal functions. A passport (book or card) proves citizenship and international travel eligibility, while a REAL ID-compliant state card primarily verifies identity for domestic flight and federal facility access; a REAL ID does not substitute for a passport when establishing legal immigration status abroad, and authorities caution that the documents are not interchangeable for all purposes ^{[9] [10]}.

6. Bottom line and practical advice embedded in federal sources

Federal sources converge: the passport card is a valid, accepted primary proof of identity and citizenship when applying for a state REAL ID-compliant license or ID, but applicants should consult their state DMV’s precise document checklist and bring all required supporting evidence (Social Security proof, address documents, any additional status documentation) because the passport card alone may not fulfill every required category ^{[1] [8] [7]}.