Chapter 6, Section A:
 Acceptable Documents to Prove Identification and Residence for Non-Commercial Driver's Licenses and regular Identification Cards


Revised March 7, 2012


Applicants for a New Mexico permit, provisional or driver's license (other than a commercial driver's license) or identification card (other than an Alternative Identification Card) must provide one or two proofs of identification number; one proof of identity; and, depending on the applicant's age, one or two proofs of physical residency showing a New Mexico address. (18.19.5.12 NMAC, as revised effective July 31, 2009)

Note: Field office personnel always have the ability and responsibility to inquire further, and may request additional documentation, if there is reason to suspect that documents provided are not legitimate. If in doubt consult your manager, who may in turn consult with the appropriate Bureau Chief. Field office managers and staff are also reminded to review PQU#6 (Reports of Possible Fraud, August 9, 2006) for guidance in situations where fraud is suspected.

(1) Acceptable identification numbers (1 or 2 required, as described below):

An applicant who is eligible for a Social Security number (SSN) must produce his or her Social Security card, the Verification of Social Security Number printout from the Social Security Administration, or two of the following documents to verify the SSN:

  • a U.S., state, or local government-issued medical card;
  • a statement from a federally regulated financial institution; or
  • any document listed in section (2) below, as long as the document can be used to verify the SSN and is not also used for proof of identity.

A foreign national who is unable to obtain a Social Security number (SSN) must produce:

  • a Matricula Consular card issued after February 1, 2005, by the Mexican Consulate in Albuquerque or El Paso;
  • a valid passport issued by their country of citizenship; or
  • an individual tax identification number (ITIN) card or the applicant’s letter from the IRS issuing the ITIN, so long as the ITIN card or letter is accompanied by a matricula consular card issued after February 1, 2005, by the Mexican Consulate in Albuquerque or El Paso or a valid passport issued by the country of citizenship.
(2) Acceptable documents to prove either identification number or identity, (not both):

Any of the following documents can be used to provide documentary proof of the Applicant’s identification number or identity but not both:

  • a driver's license, learner’s permit or identification card issued by the U.S. government or by a state or territory of the U.S., or by a jurisdiction of Canada, as long as it has a photograph and has not been expired more than one year; [Note: New Mexico’s new Alternative Identification Card may not be used to satisfy this requirement.];
  • a Matricula Consular card issued after February 1, 2005, by the Mexican Consulate in Albuquerque or El Paso;
  • a valid passport issued by country of citizenship;
  • an American Indian or Alaskan proof of Indian blood, certificate of degree of Indian blood, federal Indian census card or tribal membership card;
  • a photo identification card issued by the United States Military or Coast Guard or the New Mexico National Guard;
  • an identification document issued by the United States Veterans Administration (VA), if it is accompanied by a VA Medical Center ID card; or
  • a valid United States active-duty, retiree or reservist military ID (DOD ID DD-2).
(3) Acceptable documents to prove identity (1 required):

Applicants must produce one of the following documents as proof of identity:

  • original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a state or territory of the United States [Note: Hospital birth records do not qualify as birth certificates.];
  • an original or certified copy of a foreign birth certificate with a notarized English translation;
  • original official copy of an FS545 or FS1350 form certifying birth abroad and translated into English;
  • affidavit of Indian birth;
  • N560 certificate of citizenship;
  • N550 certificate of naturalization;
  • a valid permanent resident card issued by the United States government;
  • a valid I-551 resident alien card issued since 1997;
  • a court order for name change, gender change, adoption or divorce, as long as it includes the legal name, date of birth and court seal;
  • a marriage certificate issued by a state or a territory of the United States; or
  • any document listed in section (2) above, as long as the document is not also used for proof of identification number.
(4) Acceptable documents to prove New Mexico residency, age 18 or older (2 required):

Applicants 18 years of age or older must provide two of the following documents, showing the applicant’s NM residential address, as proof that the applicant lives in New Mexico. No more than one document will be accepted from each bulleted category.

  • a real property rental agreement or purchase agreement;
  • a utility bill, such as water, gas, electric, waste, telephone, cable or satellite bill, but not a bill for a cell phone;
  • an insurance bill or other document verifying current coverage such as automobile, home or health;
  • a bank statement;
  • an employment pay stub that contains the applicant’s name and address;
  • a local property tax statement or mortgage documents;
  • proof of a minor child enrolled in a New Mexico public, private, or tribal school;
  • a current, valid motor vehicle registration;
  • original documents from a New Mexico community organization attesting to the fact that the applicant is a NM resident;
  • original documents from a city, county, state, tribal or federal government organization attesting to the fact that the applicant is a NM resident;
  • a New Mexico medical assistance card; or
  • a New Mexico public assistance card.
 (5) Acceptable documents to prove New Mexico residency, under age 18 (1 required):

Applicants less than 18 years of age must provide one of the following documents, showing the applicant’s NM residential address, as proof that the applicant lives in New Mexico:

  • proof that the child is enrolled in a New Mexico public, private, or tribal school;
  • a bank statement;
  • an Affidavit of New Mexico Residency of Applicant under Ager 18 (MVD-10021);
  • original documents from a New Mexico community organization, or from a city, county, state, tribal or federal government organization, attesting to the fact that the applicant is a NM resident;
  • documents from membership in a New Mexico religious organization; or
  • documents from membership in a New Mexico sports organization.

To be acceptable as proof of residency a document must show a New Mexico physical residence address. A New Mexico P.O. Box address is not acceptable as evidence of NM residency.

All documents must be original or certified copy. MVD will also accept copies that are sent directly from the agency that issues or holds the documentation. All documentation must be current. Documents that applicants receive on a monthly basis, such as insurance and utility bills and bank statements, must be dated no more than three months prior to the date of application for a DL or ID.

Lost licenses and IDs:
A person applying for a driver’s license or identification card that was lost can use a New Mexico enhanced driver’s license photo from the motor vehicle division (MVD) database as proof of identity and identification number, subject to MVD’s ability to verify the applicant’s social security number or other identification number used to obtain the driver’s license or identification card, as sufficient proof to issue a replacement driver’s license or identification card.

Name Change
Any of the following documents may be accepted to verify a customer's name change on a New Mexico identification card or driver's license:

  • marriage license,
  • court order,
  • divorce decree, or
  • (for name corrections) birth certificate