You’ve got options when it comes to what documents you can submit as proof of residency in Maine. A utility bill, a pay stub, or a Maine hunting or fishing license are examples of acceptable proof of residency as long as they indicate your current home address.
If you’re looking to get a Maine driver’s license or a Maine REAL ID, you must submit verification that you are a permanent resident of Maine. Documentation like a US passport is how you prove your identity, but in order to show you’re actively living in Maine, the state requires some additional information.
If you’ve got questions about how to prove residency in Maine, car insurance
comparison expert Jerry
has answers. In this article, we’ll go over what counts as sufficient proof of residency in the Pine Tree State and what won’t cut it. We’ll also supply you with some helpful hints on how you can get a great price on Maine car insurance
. Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers What documents can be used as proof of residency in Maine?
Whether you’re applying for a REAL ID or are new to the state and obtaining a Maine driver’s license for the first time, you’ll be expected to submit certain identifying documents to the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) that confirm the following information:
Date of birth, such as a passport or birth certificate
Verification of written signature, such as a passport, marriage certificate, or out-of-state driver’s license
Verification of Social Security Number, such as a Social Security card, or tax forms
Proof of US citizenship or lawful permanent residency or other lawful status, such as a passport, birth certificate, green card, etc.
Proof of Maine residency, such as a utility bill, mortgage, lease, or sporting license
To obtain a standard Maine driver’s license, you’ll need to provide documents that fulfill each of the categories listed above. But, if it’s a REAL ID you’re after, you’ll be required to submit two proofs of Maine residency in addition to identifying information.
Luckily, there are quite a few acceptable documents that prove your Maine residency to the BMV. Here are some of the acceptable forms you can submit to verify your current address:
Maine Vehicle Registration
Current Maine hunting or fishing license
Utility bill (such as water, electricity, mobile phone, heating, or cable) with an up-to-date home address
Current mortgage or lease agreement
Contract indicating your home address such as homeowner’s insurance or auto insurance
Document issued by a government entity that indicates your home address
Current pay stub that indicates your home address
Conditional order of restoration
You should arrive at the BMV with your original hard copy proofs of residency. If your circumstances prevent you from having one or more of these proof of residency documents, you may be able to submit affidavits instead.
Affidavits from two individuals who have knowledge of your in-state residence may be submitted in lieu of the required proof of residency. This is a common course of action if the applicant resides in a shelter or other transitional domicile. Just remember that if you go this route, you must complete the official State of Maine Residency Eligibility Affidavit
, as this is the only affidavit that the BMV will accept. What documents do not qualify as proof of Maine residency?
As we mentioned before, you’ve got options as far as what you can submit as veritable proof of Maine residency. That being said, not all documents that bear your address will be accepted by the BMV. Let’s take a look at what documents aren’t on the list of acceptable proofs of residency in Maine:
Any utility bills, contracts, etc. that indicate a P.O. Box rather than a physical address
Any document on which your home address is handwritten
What qualifies for proof of identity in Maine?
When verifying proof of identity in Maine, the BMV requires certain documentation that shows your date of birth and provides an example of your written signature. Here’s a list of documents the BMV will accept as proof of identity:
Military ID/Military Dependent ID
Medical records from a doctor or hospital
Certified school records or transcript
Remember, these are examples of documentation that prove who you are to the BMV. Proof of Maine residency and legal US residency will also be needed in order to obtain a Maine driver’s license or Maine REAL ID.
How to save on Maine car insurance costs
As you sift through personal documents on your quest to verify your Maine residency, why not take a moment to revisit how much you’re paying for car insurance
? Do you have lingering suspicions that you could be getting a better deal? If so, you should definitely browse quotes with the Jerry
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