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 |
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Payment voucher or remittance slip
| Property tax assessment notice Homeowners insurance declaration page or invoice 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)
| 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 |
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Social security statement or check Numerical Identification System (Numident) record Medicare/Medicaid document Tax return or refund check (State of Georgia or federal)
| 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 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 |
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Credit union or bank statement Credit card statement or bill
| 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 |
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| |
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 |
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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 |
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| 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 |
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School record or transcript
| 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 |
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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 |
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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:
Club or fraternal organization membership card
College or university ID card
Unofficial (i.e. commercially produced) ID card
Handwritten ID or employment card
Georgia auto registration card
International driving permit
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:
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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