If you’re interested in getting an Iowa driver’s license, you’ll need to provide the correct documents to the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). The Iowa DOT requires all applicants to prove their age, identity and name, Social Security number, and finally, residency at an Iowa address.

Here to give you the run-down of what you can—and can’t—use as proof of residency in Iowa is

Jerry

, the trusted

car insurance

comparison app. Once you get your new license, Jerry will help you hit the road and stay protected with an affordable

Iowa car insurance policy

RECOMMENDED

Compare auto insurance policies

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

ZIP Code

Find insurance savings

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

To get an

Iowa driver’s license

or Iowa REAL ID, the Iowa DOT will require you to provide the following:

Proof of identity: Must include your name and date of birth (e.g. certified copy of birth certificate, valid U.S. passport)

Proof of Social Security number: Must include your name and Social Security number (e.g. paystub, bank statement, Social Security card)

Proof of Iowa residency: Must include your name and address (e.g. credit card statement, utility bill, valid residential mortgage agreement)

Current ID: Current license or ID from Iowa or another state

To obtain a REAL ID or a first-time Iowa driver’s license, you will need one identity document, one Social Security number document, two Iowa residency documents, and your current license or ID. To change the address on your license in Iowa, you need your current driver’s license, one Iowa residency document, and your old and current mailing addresses.

The following documents can be used for proof of residency in Iowa:

Iowa voter registration card

Credit or debit card statement

Pay stub from an employer

Utility bill

Phone bill

Valid insurance card or certificate of coverage (life, health, auto, homeowner’s, renters)

Iowa vehicle registration certificate

Iowa application for Military Tax Credit for Iowa property

Bank statement (or statement from another financial institution)

Application for Homestead Tax Credit

Federal, state, or local government documents (e.g. receipt, permit, license)

Iowa DL or ID card

Current Iowa school enrollment papers for a dependent child

Any two of these documents can be used for a driver’s license or REAL ID card application as proof of residency in Iowa. Be sure to include original documents, as photocopies, digital copies, and faxes are not acceptable.

MORE:

How do you renew your driver’s license in Iowa?

What documents do not qualify as proof of Illinois residency?

In Iowa, residents have a large selection of options to use for proof of residency, but there are a few documents with your Iowa mailing address that won’t cut it. For example, the following documents are not acceptable as proof of Iowa residency:

Check cashing card

Club or fraternal organization membership card

College or university ID card

Bond receipts

Library card

Business card

Unofficial (i.e. commercially produced) ID card

Department of Human Services (DHS) card

Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) card

Handwritten ID or employment card

Fishing or hunting license

Illinois concealed carry card

Illinois FOID card

Instruction permit or receipt

International driving permit

Ticket from a traffic citation or arrest

Loan papers from an unlicensed financial institution

Wallet ID

What qualifies for proof of identity in Illinois?

If you are applying for a driver’s license or REAL ID in Iowa, you will also need to prove your identity with one valid document that states your name and date of birth. Here is a list of documents that satisfy proof of identity in Iowa:

Unexpired valid U.S. passport or passport card

Certified U.S. copy of birth certificate

Consular Report of Birth Abroad from the U.S. Department of State

Certificate of citizenship

Certificate of naturalization

Unexpired employment authorization document

Record of Arrival and Departure

Unexpired foreign passport with I-94 record

A REAL ID, driver’s license, or state identification card

Any document used to establish identification must include your first and last name and date of birth.

MORE:

Iowa car inspection

Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds

No spam · No long forms · No fees

Find insurance savings

How to save on Iowa car insurance costs

If you’re applying for a REAL ID or are a first-timer applying for an Iowa driver’s license, now may also be a good time to look for a new

car insurance

policy.

Look no further! With the

Jerry

app, you don’t have to wait until your current policy is up to look for a better option—we’ll take care of everything from finding you the best quote to helping you cancel your old policy.

Simply download Jerry’s trusted insurance comparison app, answer a few questions, and in as little as 45 seconds, we’ll provide customized real-time quotes from our pool of over 50 top-rated insurance companies. Once you select a quote that works for you, Jerry’s team of qualified insurance agents will get on the job of switching you over.

The best part? On average, Jerry users save over $800 a year on car insurance!

“I moved states recently and my old provider didn’t cover me anymore, so I tried using
Jerry
. They handled everything from fetching the quotes to purchasing the new policy. Now I save $30 a month with Progressive!” —Kay J.

RECOMMENDED