New Jersey checks who you are before it issues any permit or license. You build a score of at least 6 points from approved documents, and you must also prove your address and Social Security number. A REAL ID needs a little more.
A Standard license applicant must provide
- Proof of Social Security number, ITIN, or an affidavit of not being eligible for either
- 1 proof of New Jersey residential address
- 6 points of identification
- At least one primary and at least one secondary document
A REAL ID applicant must provide "2+1+6"
- Two proofs of New Jersey residential address
- One proof of full Social Security number
- At least six points of ID, with at least one primary and one secondary document
- Documents showing U.S. presence is authorized under federal law
Examples of primary documents
- U.S. or U.S. territory birth certificate (certified copy)
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Foreign passport from your country of citizenship
- NJ digitized driver license (including probationary) or non-driver ID
- U.S. military photo ID (Common Access Card)
- Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship
- Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551)
Examples of secondary documents
- Social Security card (no copies)
- W-2 form or pay stub with full name and SSN, issued within the past year
- Photo driver license from any state, U.S. territory or D.C.
- Health insurance or prescription card
- High school diploma, GED, or college or trade school degree
- Bank statement or ATM card with name and signature (not both together)
- U.S. military discharge papers (DD214)
Accepted proofs of residential address
- Utility or credit card bill issued in the past 90 days
- Bank or credit union statement issued within the last 60 days
- Original unexpired lease or rental agreement
- Property tax bill, or IRS or state tax letter, within the past year
- First class mail from any government agency in the past six months
- High school or college report card or transcript within the past two years
- If under 18, a parent or guardian's statement certifying your address
Know the rule
All ID documents must be unlaminated originals or certified copies, in English (or with an approved certified translation), with the required state or municipal seal.
Handbook p. 11 ↗Legal proof of name change
A certified marriage or civil union certificate, divorce decree, or court order linking the new name with the previous name.
Handbook p. 11 ↗Know the rule
A divorce decree can restore a previous name only if it shows the married and previous names and permits the return. A marriage or civil union certificate proves only a last-name change.
Handbook p. 13 ↗Know the rule
If documents conflict, you may need more documentation. Any application may be refused if a document appears altered, false, or otherwise invalid.
Handbook p. 11 ↗Know the rule
Commercial Driver License (CDL) applicants must prove U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status.
Handbook p. 13 ↗Put it into practice
You bring your U.S. passport (primary), your Social Security card and a health insurance card (secondary), and a utility bill from last month for your address. That mix meets the "one primary, one secondary" rule, and the bill is within the 90-day limit.