What Counts as Proof of Residency in New Jersey?
Utility bills, rental agreements, and bank statements can all be used to confirm your New Jersey residency—but personal mail won’t cut it.
Written by Jacqulyn Graber
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
If you're getting a new
driver's license
, you can prove New Jersey
residency with recent utility or credit card bills, rental agreements, and bank statements—but not personal mail. - You need proof of residency to apply for a New Jersey driver’s license or other identification card.
- The document needs to show your name and your address, but not all docs qualify.
- Things like bills, IRS documents, or lease agreements all qualify as proof of your NJ residency.
- You need proof of residency to apply for a New Jersey driver’s license or other identification card.
- The document needs to show your name and your address, but not all docs qualify.
- Things like bills, IRS documents, or lease agreements all qualify as proof of your NJ residency.
Acceptable forms of proof of residency in New Jersey
You will need to show two proofs of residency at the DMV if you’re applying for a New Jersey driver’s license, non-driver identification card, or REAL ID—or if you’re
replacing a lost license
.Here are the types of documents you can choose from:
- License: Valid New Jersey driver’s license/non-driver identification card or Motor Vehicle Commission-issued driver's license renewal form (displaying residential address)
- Bill: Utility or credit card bill issued in the last 90 days
- Bank statement: Checking or savings account statement from a bank/credit union issued in the last 90 days, or a pay stub
- Lease: Original, unexpired lease or renter agreement
- IRS documents: Tax bill, statement, receipt, income tax return, and/or any letter or correspondence received from the IRS or tax office within the past year
- Government mail: First class mail from any government agency in the past six months (like a property tax bill)
- Affidavit from a parent or legal guardian: Affidavit certifying your address if you’re under 18
Any combination of the above documents can be used to show you are a resident of the state—as long as you provide two different documents!
Unacceptable forms of proof of residency
Even if you have another document that includes your name and address, it may not suffice as proof of residency status. The following documents are not accepted by the state of New Jersey as proof of domicile:
- NO: Bond receipts
- NO: Business card
- NO: Check cashing card
- NO: Club or fraternal organization membership card
- NO: College or university ID card
- NO: Unofficial (i.e., commercially produced) ID card
- NO: Department of Human Services (DHS) card
- NO: Fishing license
- NO: Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) card
- NO: Handwritten ID or employment card
- NO: Hunting license
- NO: New Jersey auto registration card
- NO: New Jersey concealed carry card
- NO: New Jersey FOID card
- NO: Instruction permit or receipt
- NO: Insurance card
- NO: International driving permit
- NO: Library card
- NO: Personal mail
- NO: Ticket from a traffic citation or arrest
- NO: Loan papers from an unlicensed financial institution
- NO: Video club membership card
- NO: Wallet ID
Acceptable forms of proof of identity in New Jersey
In addition to proving you are a resident of New Jersey, you will need proof of identity (confirms that you are who you say you are).
Option 1: Bring a valid photo driver's license or photo identification card that has your current address. Alternatively, you may use a valid driver’s license without a photo, plus an alternate form of ID with your proof of address.
Option 2: Bring two of the following:
- Vehicle insurance card
- Voter registration
- U.S./foreign passport
- Immigrant visa
- Birth certificate
- Social Security card
- Permanent resident card (green card)
- Federal/state ID
- County ID
- School ID or high school records
- Utility bill (within the previous 90 days)
- Bank statement (within previous 90 days)
- W-2 or tax return for current or previous year
If you are experiencing homelessness, ask a social worker or homeless shelter coordinator to help you provide identification for eligibility.
If you are incarcerated, you may provide legal imprisonment, conviction papers, or release documents that include your name, Social Security number, and all possible aliases used in the past or identification from a prison/probation official.
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