To get a driver's license in New Mexico, you must show the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (NM MVD) proof that you reside there permanently. While additional I.D. documents, such as a state of New Mexico identification card or a U.S. passport, will be required to show your identity, you will also be asked to provide documents that prove your New Mexico address.

What documents can be used as proof of residency in New Mexico?

To obtain a

New Mexico driver's license

REAL ID

, you must present any MVD field office with three types of identification documents:

One (1) proof of lawful identity and age (e.g., birth certificate, passport, or adoption records)

One (1) proof of identification number (e.g., Social Security card, W-2, or SSA-1099)

Two (2) proofs of residency (e.g., bank statements, pay stubs, or utility bills)

To get a standard driver's license for the first time, you need one document proving your identity and age and two providing proof of residency. To change your name or physical/residence address, you must contact the entity that handles the documents you need.

The following documents can be used to meet the criteria for proof of residency:

Real property rental or purchase agreement (must be current)

Local property tax document (must be most current issued by County Assessor)

Utility bill (e.g. water, gas, electric, propane, internet, cable, satellite)—dated within 60 days of application

Bank, credit card, or mortgage monthly statement—dated within 60 days of application

Employment pay stub—dated within 60 days of application

Education institution document (e.g. transcript, report card, or enrollment confirmation)—dated within 60 days of application

City, county, state, tribal, or federal document attesting to NM residency—dated within 60 days of application

NM Medical Assistance Card with a letter from issuing agency with name and address, profile printout, or benefits award letter showing current benefits—dated within 60 days of application

NM Public Assistance Card with a letter from issuing agency with name and address, profile printout, or benefits award letter showing current benefits—dated within 60 days of application

Insurance bill, card, or binder—dated within 6 months of application and unexpired

You can get your New Mexico driver's license by presenting any of these documents to prove your New Mexico residency.

Remember: Any documents you use must be official or certified copies. You cannot use a photocopy of your driver's license or a copy of your property tax bill.

What documents do not qualify as proof of New Mexico residency for a standard driver’s license?

Although many forms of identification with a New Mexico address are accepted as proof of residency, there are some that are not. For example, you cannot use any of the following documents to fulfill the proof of residency requirement:

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

Instruction permit or receipt

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

What qualifies for proof of identity in New Mexico?

As stated before, you’ll also need to provide two documents proving your lawful identity, age, and identification number. Here are items that can be used for proof of identity and age:

U.S. original or certified copy of birth certificate

U.S. passport or U.S. passport card

Affidavit of birth issued by any federally-recognized tribal nation’s vital records

Valid foreign passport including I-551 stamp OR Affixed U.S. Visa, along with an approved I94 form documenting the applicant's most recent admission to the U.S., valid and verified by the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements System (SAVE)

Consular report of birth abroad forms issued by the U.S. Department of State: FS-240, DS-1350, or FS-545

Documents issued by the Department of Homeland Security or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: Permanent Resident Card I-551, Certificate of Naturalization DHS N-550 N-570, Certificate of Citizenship DHS N-560 N-561, or Valid Employment Authorization I-766 I-688B

For proof of identification number, you’ll need one of the following:

Social Security card (with full and complete number)

W-2 form

SSA-1099

Non-SSA 1099

Paystub

Foreign passport with visa and I-94