What Counts as Proof of Residency in Georgia?

To prove your residency in Georgia, you’ll need to bring two pieces of paperwork that legally document your address, like your rent receipts or a utility bill.
Written by Amy Bobinger
Edited by Jessica Barrett
You can use paperwork like your housing documents, financial statements, USPS-delivered mail, utility bills, motor vehicle documents, and school records as proof of residency in Georgia. 

Proof of residency establishes your physical address

There are several reasons you might be asked for proof of residence in Georgia, like getting your first driver’s license or Real ID, enrolling in a college with in-state tuition, or applying for government assistance. 
  • Keep in mind that you can only use original or certified copies of proof-of-residency documents
  • You will often have to provide two items from the following list to prove residency
  • Make sure the date, your full legal name, and address are visible
Important note: To protect your personal information, use a permanent marker to redact any sensitive data, including your account numbers, bank balances, or medical records.

Household information

One of the most common ways to prove residency is to show documentation that legally establishes your address, like your mortgage paperwork or rent receipts. 
These documents are valid if dated within the last two calendar years
  • Deed, lease, or mortgage
  • Payment voucher or remittance slip
  • HUD settlement document
  • Escrow statement
  • Property tax assessment notice
  • Homeowners insurance declaration page or invoice
  • Title search records
  • Letter of military housing agreement
These documents are acceptable if dated within the last six months
  • Valid rental agreement (house, apartment, mobile home, dormitory, or extended stay hotel)
  • Rent payment receipt 
  • Any physical postmarked mail delivered by USPS

Documents issued by the federal, state, or local governments

The following government-issued paperwork will be accepted as proof of Georgia residency:
These documents are valid if dated within the last two calendar years
  • Social security statement or check
  • Annual benefits report
  • Numerical Identification System (Numident) record
  • Medicare/Medicaid document
  • Unemployment claim
  • Disability statement
  • WIC statement
  • Tax return or refund check (State of Georgia or federal)
  • Voter registration card
  • Firearms license (not expired)
  • Merchant Marine license (not expired)
  • Citizenship/immigration documents: I-797A, I-797C
  •  Paperwork from Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS)
  • USPS address change verification
  • Jury summons
  • Military discharge benefit documentation

Financial statements

Check your bank, credit card, or loan documents for the following—but remember to cross out your financial information:
These documents are valid if dated within six months
  • Credit union or bank statement 
  • Credit card statement or bill
  • Loan statement
  • Credit financing statement
  • Investment account summary

Utility Bills

Bills and statements from your utility provider can establish proof of your residential address:
These documents are valid if dated within six months
  • Water bill
  • Sewer bill
  • Gas bill
  • Electricity bill
  • Cable/satellite bill
  • Internet bill
  • Home/cell phone bill
  • Garbage bill

Motor vehicle information

Check your DMV records for the following:
These documents are valid if dated in the current calendar year or the last six months
  • Vehicle registration or title
  • Insurance declaration page or statement
  • Insurance card with address displayed

Employer documentation

If you’re currently working, you may be able to provide the following as proof of residency:
These documents are valid if dated within the last two calendar years
  • Paycheck
  • Check stub
  • W-2 form
  • Income tax return
  • Written verification from your employer—must be on company letterhead

School records

If you’re a high school or college student, these documents can be used as proof of address:
These documents are valid if dated within the last two school years
  • School record or transcript
  • Report card
  • Student loan paperwork
  • Certificate of School Enrollment (form DS-1)
Note: If you’re a minor, your parent, step-parent, or guardian can use their government-issued ID as proof of residence on your behalf.

Medical statements

You can use medical statements such as the following to prove your residence:
These documents are valid if dated within the last two calendar years 
  • Health insurance statement
  • Explanation of benefits (EOB) statement 
  • Bill/invoice from doctor or hospital

Other accepted documents

The following may act as a standalone proof of residence if traditional documentation is not available:
These documents are valid if dated within the last six months
  • Residence Verification Form from Georgia Department of Community Supervision (DCS)
  • Refugee Verification Affidavit (form DS-20)
  • Letter from a shelter or halfway house (must be printed on facility letterhead)

Some documents do not qualify as proof of residency in Georgia

Georgia DDS accepts many documents as proof of residency—but they won't accept everything. If you are unsure about the eligibility of a document, it is best to contact the DDS to check.
Some documents that do not qualify as proof of residency in Georgia include:
  • Bond receipts
  • Business card
  • Check cashing card
  • Club or fraternal organization membership card
  • College or university ID card
  • Unofficial (i.e. commercially produced) ID card
  • Fishing license
  • Handwritten ID or employment card
  • Hunting license
  • Georgia auto registration card
  • International driving permit
  • Library card
  • Ticket from a traffic citation or arrest
  • Loan papers from an unlicensed financial institution
  • Video club membership card

You need a few documents to apply for a driver’s license or Real ID in Georgia

To obtain a Georgia driver’s license or
Real ID
you will have to provide several documents to the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS):
  • One proof of identity document
  • Social Security Number (or proof of SSN, like your social security card, paystub showing your full name and SSN, federal or state tax return, or military ID) 
  • Two proof of residency documents
  • Proof of identity and/or proof of lawful presence for non-citizens

What qualifies as proof of identity in Georgia?

The documents that qualify for proof of identity in Georgia are a bit different for US and non-US citizens.
US citizens applying for a Real ID will have to provide one of the following as proof of identification:
  • US Birth Certificate—original or certified copy
  • US passport (not expired)
  • US State Department Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) (form FS-240, FS-545, or DS-1350)
  • Certificate of naturalization (form N-550, N-570)
  • Certificate of citizenship (form N-560, N-561)
Non-US citizens will have to provide one proof of identification and one document proving lawful status:
  • Passport (not expired)
  • DHS Arrival/Departure Record (Form I-94)
  • Permanent resident card/green card (form I-551) with asylee or refugee status
  • Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766)
Did you know? Once you present your proof of identity documents and get a Georgia-issued ID, you generally won’t need to show them again unless you’re applying for a gender or name change on your identification card. 
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