What Counts as Proof of Residency in North Carolina?
You can use a phone bill or bank statement as proof of residency in North Carolina, but personal mail won’t count.
Written by Kara Vanderbeek
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Bank statements, utility bills, official government mail, and credit reports can all be used as proof of residency in North Carolina.
If you’re applying for a driver’s license or REAL ID in North Carolina, you’ll need to provide proof of residency in the state. If you’re unsure what qualifies as proof, you’re not alone.
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What documents can be used as proof of residency in North Carolina?
If you want to obtain a REAL ID or driver’s license in North Carolina, you’ll need to provide proof of residency in the state. The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles accepts the following documents as proof of in-state residency:
- Any document issued by the state of North Carolina or a county/city in North Carolina or the federal government
- NC Vehicle Registration Card, insurance policy, or title
- North Carolia Voter Precinct Card
- Military orders of military documents
- Utility or cable bill
- Housing lease or contract or mortgage statement
- Property or income tax statement
- Preprinted financial statement
- School records
- Letter from homeless shelter
If you’re proving residency for an individual under the age of 18, the NCDMV recognizes the documents listed below as proof:
- Mailed correspondence from organizations (recreational teams, camps, etc.)
- NC school records
- Magazine subscriptions
- Lease or housing contract listing minor as an occupant
- Tax records/returns listing minor as an occupant
- Medical and hospitalization records
- Hunting/fishing license
- Social Security card stub showing current address
- Preprinted bank statement or financial records
- Preprinted business letter
- Letter from homeless shelter
What documents do not qualify as proof of North Carolina residency?
Now that you know which documents qualify as valid proof, let’s go over what doesn’t qualify as proof of North Carolina residency:
- 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
- Department of Human Services (DHS) card
- Fishing license
- Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) card
- Handwritten ID or employment card
- Hunting license
- North Carolina auto registration card
- North Carolina concealed carry card
- Instruction permit or receipt
- Insurance card
- International driving permit
- Library card
- Personal mail
- Ticket from a traffic citation or arrest
- Loan papers from an unlicensed financial institution
- Video club membership card
- Wallet ID
What qualifies for proof of identity in North Carolina?
To prove identity in North Carolina, an individual’s name must match a document listed below. If the name does not match, proof of name change (certified marriage license, divorce decree, or document from the courts, or Register of Deeds) must be provided.
Keep in mind that any documents provided must be the original. No altered or photocopied documents will be accepted.
Birth Certificate:
- A U.S. Report of Consular Birth Abroad will be accepted
- Must be issued by a government agency in the United States, a US territory, or Canada
US Passport:
- Must be a valid, unexpired passport from the United States
- Digital version not accepted
- A valid, unexpired foreign passport is accepted for REAL ID but it must be accompanied by affixed valid, unexpired US visa and I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
REAL ID:
- A valid, unexpired REAL ID or driver’s license
- Identification card issued from a REAL ID compliant state
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