If you’re applying for a driver’s license in Virginia, you’ll need to bring a few documents with you to your DMV. Those include proof of identity, proof of legal residence, proof of social security number, and, of course, proof of residency. Proof of residency can be given through certain documents that verify that you have a current Virginia address.

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What documents can be used as proof of residency in Virginia?

When applying for a

Virginia driver’s license

, you will need to bring a few identification documents along. Those documents fall into distinct categories:

One proof of identity (E.g. passport, birth certificate, employment authorization document.)

One proof of legal presence (E.g. certificate of citizenship, passport, birth certificate.)

Two proofs of Virginia residency (E.g. U.S. Postal Service change of address form, residential deed, lease agreement)

One proof of Social Security Number (E.g. social security card)

If you’re looking for a first-time driver’s license, these are most likely all you need. If you’re looking to exchange a license from another state for a Virginia license, you’ll also need to bring your current license. Plus, if your name appears differently on your proof documents than it is currently, you’ll need to bring proof of name change.

While for the other categories you only need one document, you will need two proof of residency documents. These fall into two categories: primary and secondary. You will need either two documents from the primary category or one from the primary and one from the secondary.

The following documents count as primary proof of residence:

Deed, mortgage or monthly mortgage statement, or your residential rental or lease agreement

U.S. Postal Service change of address confirmation form or a piece of postmarked U.S. mail with your address on it

A Virginia voter registration card

Your current Virginia driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, learner’s permit, or DMV-issued ID card with an old address (must either be valid or have expired no more than a year prior)

A canceled check with the applicant's name and address (must be no more than two months old)

A copy of school records or an official report card issued within the last year by a school accredited by a U.S. state

Virginia Department of Education Certificate of Enrollment form

A utility bill no more than two months old

A bank or credit card statement no more than two months old

A check stub issued by an employer within the last two months

Certain tax documents, like a W-2 or 1099 form, that are no more than 18 months old

A receipt for personal property taxes or real estate taxes paid within the last year to Virginia

Social security statement for the current or last calendar year

Your homeowners insurance policy or bill

Most recent automobile or life insurance bill

Medical or dental bill, no more than two months old

Virginia Offender Information Form

Approved Homeless Shelter Agreement

The following documents count as secondary proof of residence:

USPS mail displaying your name and current address

Official correspondence from a federal, state, or local government agency that includes your name and current address

Billing statement or other official document from a recognizable business or government agency with your name and current address

All of these documents must show your name and current address as it is listed on your application.

All of them must be original, so photocopied documents will not satisfy the requirements. You can, however, use documents printed from an online account in some cases.

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What documents do not qualify as proof of Virginia residency?

While the list of documents that count as proof of Virginia residency is long, it does have its limits.

The following documents do not count as proof of residency in Virginia:

Voided checks

Cellular phone bills

Automobile or life insurance cards or policies

DMV-issued documents without postmarked envelopes

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

Virginia auto registration card

Instruction permit or receipt

International driving permit

Library card

Video club membership card

Wallet ID

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What qualifies for proof of identity in Virginia?

Along with your proof of residency, Virginia requires everyone applying for a license to bring proof of identity, proof of legal presence, and proof of Social Security Number. Here are the documents that qualify for each:

Proof of identity: Birth certificate; valid U.S. passport or passport card; valid foreign passport along with a U.S. visa and I-94 entry or entry stamp, or a valid foreign passport along with a valid I-551 stamp, U.S. immigration visa, or I-94; Employment Authorization Document; Consular Report of Birth Abroad; Certificate of Birth Abroad; Certification of Report of Birth of a U.S. Citizen; U.S. Certificate of Naturalization; U.S. Certificate of Citizenship; valid permanent resident card; REAL ID compliant driver’s license or ID card

Proof of legal presence: Birth certificate; Virginia Certificate of Foreign Birth; Valid U.S. passport or U.S. passport card; U.S. Certificate of Naturalization; U.S. Certificate of Citizenship; unexpired foreign passport with either unexpired U.S. visa and unexpired I-94 or entry stamp, unexpired I-94W, unexpired U.S. immigrant visa with temporary I-551 notation, or unexpired I-551 stamp; Employment Authorization Document; valid Canadian or Micronesian passport with an unexpired I-94 or entry stamp; USCIS form I-797; valid Permanent Resident card; valid temporary I-551 stamp on an I-94; Consular Report of Birth Abroad; Certification of Report of Birth of a U.S. Citizen; Certificate of Birth Abroad; Canal Zone Government Certificate of Live Birth issued between February 26, 1904 and October 1, 1979; U.S. Citizen Identification card; unexpired Re-entry Permit; valid Refugee Travel Document; Form I-94 Record of Arrival and Departure stamped Refugee; official letter from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement indicating either that your application for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident has been reopened and restored to pending status, your application for temporary protected status has been received and a duplicate notice cannot be issued, or you have been granted deferred action

Proof of Social Security Number: Social security card, W-2 form, Payroll check stub, SSA-1099 form, or non-SSA-1099 form

Applicants who are younger are subject to some exceptions. For instance, anyone under the age of 19 can have a parent or legal guardian certify their Virginia residency, as long as they are there in person and can show the required documents.

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