Applying for a license or ID card?
To ensure a smooth application process, follow these instructions.
Do you have the correct documents?
Make sure you have the correct documents
before visiting a Secretary of State oce.
If you have any questions about what is
required, call the Department of State
Information Center at 888-SOS-MICH
(767-6424).
Documents will be reviewed
All documents are subject to review
and may require more than one day
for approvals. Additional information
may be required. The department may
retain images or copies of any document
presented.
Name changes and date of birth
Your rst and last name and date of
birth on your legal presence and identity
documents should match.
If your legal name is dierent from what is
on your birth certicate or legal presence
document, you must show ocial proof
of the name change, such as an original
marriage certicate, a certied divorce
decree or a court order.
Note: More than one name-change
document may be required if your name
has changed more than once.
Original documents only – no faxes or
photocopies
Legal presence documents and identity
documents (from columns 2 and 3) must
be original documents – copies won’t be
accepted.
Foreign documents
Foreign documents must be translated.
Foreign driver’s licenses
An International Driving Permit or an English
translation must be provided. Foreign driver’s
licenses are proof of driving experience only
and can’t be used as proof of legal presence
or identity.
Documents I need to bring:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1. Proof of Social Security Number
Present one document
2. Proof of legal presence
Present at least one document
3. Proof of identity
Present at least one document
4. Proof of Michigan residency
Present at least two documents
Social Security card
W-2 Form
SSA 1099 form or non-SSA 1099 form
Pay stub containing your name and Social
Security number
SSA-L676 letter of ineligibility from the Social
Security Administration. These must be
presented with USCIS documents that show
non-work authorized status. Letters more than
one year old will not be accepted.
Note: If you are unable to provide one of the
above documents as proof of your Social Security
number, other documents that show your Social
Security number may be presented but will require
review by the oce manager. Social Security
number information will be veried.
You may be required to correct your information
with the Social Security Administration before
your driver’s license or ID card application can be
processed.
Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
Certied birth certicate with stamp or raised
seal issued by a U.S. government unit or U.S.
territory government oce. (Note: Puerto Rican
birth certicates are accepted only if issued on
or after July 1, 2010)
Michigan enhanced driver’s license or ID card
Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the
U.S. State Department (FS-240, DS-1350 or
FS-545)
(The following will be veried by the Systematic
Alien Verication for Entitlements system)
Certicate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561)
Certicate of Naturalization (N-550, N-570 or
N-578)
Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card
(I-551) or other evidence of permanent residency
(I-551 visa/stamp in passport or on I-94)
Valid Employment Authorization Document
(I-766)
Valid, unexpired foreign passport with U.S. visa,
along with evidence of entry (I-94 stamp or
printout):
◊ F-visa holders must present Form I-20
◊ J-visa holders must present Form DS-2019
◊ B1 and B2 visas aren’t acceptable
◊ WB and WT visa stamps aren’t acceptable
Other immigration documents that show legal
presence and/or ability to work in the U.S.,
including Form I-94, State Department bio-data
form, and supervision documents (other
documents may be accepted)
Expired immigration documents along with
Form I-797 (Notice of Action) showing that new
documents have been applied for
Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
Out-of-state, U.S. territories, or Canadian driver’s
license or ID card. (Cards expired less than four
years are accepted)
Marriage license issued in the U.S.
Divorce decree issued in the U.S.
U.S. court order for a name change
Employee photo ID issued by a federal or
Michigan government agency
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Trusted
Traveler Card (Global Entry, SENTRI or NEXUS)
U.S. military ID with photo (DD-2, DD-1173 or
CAC card)
U.S. military discharge or separation document,
such as a DD-214
Photo ID from a federally recognized Native
American tribe
Michigan Department of Corrections prisoner ID.
Two of the following also are accepted: Foreign
passport, I-94, Employment Authorization Card,
Refugee Travel Document I-571 or immigrant
visa
Documents, including immigration documents
with or without an entry stamp, (such as I-94
Arrival/Departure form, U.S. State Department
bio-data form and court-ordered supervision
documents)
Michigan driver education certicate
Government issued adoption record
U.S. school records (photo ID, transcripts,
diplomas, yearbooks or attendance records)
Parents or guardians may present their driver’s
license or ID and sign for their minor child
Utility bill or credit card bill issued within the
last 90 days
Account statement from a bank or other
nancial institution issued within the last 90
days
Michigan high school, college or university
report cards or transcripts
Mortgage, lease or rental agreement (Lease
and rental agreements must include landlord’s
telephone number)
Pay stub or earnings statement issued with the
name and address of the employee
Life, health, auto or home insurance policy
Federal, state or local government documents,
such as receipts, licenses or assessments
Michigan title and registration (Registration
must show current residential address)
Other documents containing your name
and address may be accepted with manager
approval
Note: Documents used to show Michigan
residency must include your name and home
address. Electronic copies are accepted.
Michigan P.O. boxes aren’t accepted as a
“residence address”
SOS-428 (Rev. 04/2023)
