Proof of U.S. citizenship, identity, and Washington residence for EDL/EID

You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for a Washington enhanced driver license (EDL) or enhanced ID card (EID).

Show us all the following documents:

Proof of United States citizenship
Proof of identity
Proof of every time your name has changed since birth, if applicable
Proof of Washington State residence
Additional requirements for teens and children

Acceptable documents must be original or government-certified copies, unless noted otherwise. Use our helpful tool to find out which documents you'll need.

We don't accept documents that are:

Photocopies
Printouts from websites
Temporary
Uncertified
Notarized
Altered

Proof of U.S. citizenship

Show us 1 of the following:

Valid U.S. passport book or card (travel.state.gov)
U.S. Certificate of naturalization (uscis.gov)
U.S. Certificate of U.S. citizenship (travel.state.gov)
U.S. Department of State consular report of birth abroad (travel.state.gov)
Original, certified birth certificate from your U.S. birth place, issued by a city, county, state, or territory (Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) and have all the following:
- Full name and date of birth
- Place of birth (state with county or city; must be a U.S. location)
- A registrar's raised, embossed, impressed, or multicolored seal
- A control or file number that the issuing authority can confirm
- A registrar's signature
- The date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office
- Only Birth Certificates from Puerto Rico issued on or after July 1, 2010 are accepted
- Washington wallet-sized birth registration cards aren’t accepted

Proof of identity

Show us 1 of the following:

U.S. Passport book or card - Valid and has your signature and photo
Driver license, enhanced driver license, enhanced ID, or state-issued ID card - Valid and has your signature and photo
U.S. Military ID - Valid and has your photo
Government employee ID - Valid city, federal, or state ID card that has your signature and photo
Minors without the above - See Teens and Children

Proof of name change

Your EDL/EID must be issued with the full legal name as it appears on the citizenship document unless accompanied with proof of name changes

If the names on your proof of citizenship and proof of identity are different, provide document(s) for each time your name has changed.

Court order showing your change of name
Divorce decree (filed and certified by the court) showing the new name or authorizing a name change
Marriage certificate (including same-sex marriage certificate) that has been filed with the county or authorized issuing authority and has the control or file number. Church or wedding chapel forms aren't acceptable. To get a certified copy of a marriage certificate, contact the:
- County auditor where the license was filed
- Center for Health Statistics

Example 1: You bring your birth certificate showing your birth name as Taylor Kelly Doe and your Washington driver license showing your current name as Taylor Kelly Johnson. You married twice and changed your last name from Doe to Smith, then to Johnson. You need to bring both of your marriage certificates to link your name from Doe to Johnson.

Example 2: You bring your U.S. passport and Washington driver license both showing your current name Taylor Kelly Johnson. You do not need proof of name change.

Proof of Washington State residence

If you’re applying for an Enhanced Washington driver license or identification card, you have to show 2 documents with your principal residence address.

Acceptable documents must:
- Show your current Washington residence address (unless noted below).
- Show your first and last name.
If you’re married, you can use documents in your spouse's name. You'll need to show your marriage certificate.
If you are under 26 years old you may use documents in your parent or guardian's name.
- If you're under 18, see Teens and Children for additional requirements.
- If you're 18 to 25, you’ll need to show proof of relationship (e.g. birth certificate, adoption decree, court issued custody decree, etc.), but your parent or guardian doesn’t need to be present.
If you are 18 years old or over and are assigned a court guardian due to mental or physical limitations, you may use documents in your court assigned guardian's name.
- You must show the court decree assigning guardianship.
- Your assigned guardian must be with you and have valid proof of their identity.

Show us 2 of the following. You can’t use 2 of the same document (e.g. 2 vehicle registrations), even if you’re using documents under someone else’s name.

Previously issued WA license, ID card, or permit
- This is not an option if you got a license in another state after your last WA license.
Washington vehicle registration or title (a quick title isn't acceptable)
Cell phone bill or statement *
Home utility or service document (bill, statement, hook-up order, etc.) for Washington address (gas, electric, water, garbage, sewer, landline phone, TV, internet, ISTA) *
Bank or credit card document (statement, card mailer, etc.) *
Washington voter card
Washington school transcript or report card
DSHS benefits letter (medical, food, etc.)
Tribal ID
Proof of home ownership (mortgage documents, property tax documents, deed, title, etc.) *
Selective Service Card
Concealed weapons permit from a WA county (license to carry concealed pistol)
Homeowner's or renter's insurance policy *
Auto insurance policy, declarations page, or binder *
Consulate ID card or Mexican Federal Electoral card
Pay check or pay stub with the employer's name and phone number or address *
Washington professional license (nursing, physician, engineer, pilot, etc.)
W-2 form from an employer or form 1099
Moorage document
Letter attesting residence in alternate housing (e.g. assisted living, college campus, mission, senior housing, shelter, or retirement home) on company letterhead with a phone number that could be used in verification of the facility
US military document
Certified Washington marriage certificate
Form DS-2019

* Items marked with an asterisk (*) may be original or internet printouts.

Teens and children

If you are under 18 years old, your parent or legal guardian must:

Come with you to the licensing office.
Sign the application.
Show us proof of their identity.
Show us proof of their relationship to you with a:
- Certified birth certificate.
- Certified adoption document.
- Court order naming the guardian and specifically authorizing the issuance of an EID.
If your parent or guardian’s current name differs from the name on the proof of relationship document, bring proof of name change.

Identification document review

If we can't accept your identification documents, you may request an additional document review by speaking with the driver licensing office ID Review Specialist. If the specialist is unable to determine positive identification, we may refer your documents for further evaluation.

Photograph

Your card will include a photo showing a full front view of your face.

Before we take your photo, we'll ask you to remove anything that covers your face or head (like a hat or sunglasses) so your photo will be acceptable for biometric identification. If you choose not to remove it, you won't be eligible to receive an EDL/EID.

Related information

Questions? Need help?

Call us: 360.902.3900 (TTY: Call 711)