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Georgia requires several types of identification and documentation in order to obtain a Georgia driver’s license or identification card.

All documents must be in English.  Click here Translator List to locate an approved document translation company.

Identity (One from the List Below)

• New Georgia residents applying for a license or permit must show some acceptable form of personal identification that includes full name, month, day and year of birth. After verification of full name and date of birth, documents will be returned immediately to the licensee. The following items are acceptable but must be Original or a Certified Copy:
  • Original birth certificate (State issued) State Vital Statistics (Hospital birth certificates are not acceptable).
  • If your name has changed from your original birth record or passport, you must present the complete trail of certified documents supporting all name changes. Documents include but are not limited to:
    • Marriage license, marriage certificate or marriage license application (for all marriages. Please note: by law, same sex marriage certificates cannot be accepted for name changes.)
    • Divorce decree (if a name change was specified on the decree). Divorce decree may not substitute for marriage documents.
    • Adoption – court orders
    • Legal name change – court orders
  • Certified copy of birth certificate (Issued by Vital Statistics with affixed seal)
  • Certificate of birth registration
  • Certified naturalization documents
  • Immigration I.D. card Immigration and Naturalization
  • Valid (unexpired) Passport
  • Military identification card issued by the United States armed forces (must provide additional proof of citizenship)

Residency (One from the list Below)

• Each applicant must furnish proof that he or she resides in Georgia and must provide documentation of a valid Georgia residence address. The following items are acceptable as proof of residency:
  • Utility bill issued within the last sixty (60) days
  • Bank statement issued within the last sixty (60) days
  • Current valid rental contracts and/or receipts for payments made within the last sixty (60) days for rent payments
  • Employer verification, including, but not limited to, one of the following:
    • Paycheck or paycheck stub
    • Letter from employer; or
    • W-2 for current or preceding calendar year
  • Non-expired Georgia driver's license, permit or identification card issued to parent, child, guardian, or spouse;  the GA license/ID card holder must also be present for identification. 
  • Health insurance statement
  • State of Georgia or Federal income tax return for current or preceding calendar year
  • Annual social security statement for current or preceding calendar year;
  • Medicare or Medicaid statement
  • School record or transcript for current or preceding calendar year
  • Mortgage, payment coupon, deed, or property tax bill for current or preceding calendar year.

Citizenship (One from the list below)

• In addition to providing personal identification, all applicants must provide proof that he/she is either a United States citizen or a non US citizen with legal authorization from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau of the US Department of Homeland Security.
• U.S. citizens must furnish proof of citizenship. In order to prove U.S. citizenship, an applicant for an initial Georgia driver license, permit or identification card shall furnish one of the following as proof:
  • Original birth certificate issued by a United States jurisdiction;
  • Certified copy of birth certificate issued by a United States jurisdiction;
  • Valid United States passport;
  • Original certificate of citizenship (Form N560);
  • Certified copy of certificate of citizenship (Form N560);
  • Original certificate of naturalization (Form N550);
  • Certified copy of certificate of naturalization (Form N550).
  • Military ID does not prove citizenship; must present one citizenship document from list above
• Non US Citizens, must prove legal authorization from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau of the US Department of Homeland Security, with one of the following:
  • Foreign passport (unexpired) with appropriate immigration documents (Valid passport containing visa and I-94 or valid I-551 stamp)
  • Resident Alien Card (Form I-551)
  • Temporary Resident Alien Card (Form I-668)
  • Employment Authorization Card

• Age 18 for Class A, B and C license
• Age 16 for Class D provisional license
• Age 15 for Class CP instructional permit
• Age 17 for Class M license
• Age 16 for Class MP instructional permit

Under 18 Additional Requirements

• All unlicensed applicants under 18 will be required to show (on a form prescribed by the DDS) they have completed a course on alcohol and drugs before they are issued a driver's license. This course will be taught by an instructor authorized by DDS.
• All applicants under the age of 18 must provide a Certificate of Attendance (DS-1) , dated within thirty days, as proof of enrollment in school or must have received a GED, a high school diploma, or has completed high school.
• Applicants under age 18 who have never been licensed by any other jurisdiction cannot receive an initial issuance of a class C or D license unless such person:
  • Has held an instructional permit for a minimum of one year and one day
  • If age 16, has completed an approved driver education course in a licensed private or public driver training school
  • Has completed 40 hours of supervised driving, with at least 6 hours at night.
  • The parent or guardian of an applicant under the age of 18 or the applicant if over the age of 18 must sign a verification form attesting to the above requirement.

Other Requirements

• Applicant must surrender all previous driver's licenses, identification cards, and instructional permits issued by any other state or country if a US citizen or a CDL license holder.  Non US citizens may retain foreign and international licenses.
• If applicant does not have in their possession, a license/ID card to surrender must provide a certified copy of Motor Vehicle Report or status letter from previous state.
• A DS-36 is required in Classes A and B.
• For applicants under the age of 18, a certified copy of the motor vehicle report from the former jurisdiction will be required in order to give credit for a license or permit held in another state, only if the out of state permit /license is lost or stolen, if the out of state license / permit is not valid, or if the issue date on the out of state permit is not the original issue date (later replacement date).  The certified motor vehicle report is good for 30 days. A separate certified motor vehicle report must be presented for both permit issuance and Class D license issuance, unless permit and license are issued within 30 days.
• Documents presented must be either in English or translated into English by a translator approved by the Department of Driver Services.
• The Department may require a medical evaluation if an applicant has a mental or physical condition that could prevent the safe operation of a motor vehicle.

License Replacement Requirements

• Original or certified birth certificate or valid passport in the name on the license.  If the birth certificate or passport is not in the name on the license, you will need to provide one from the list below in the name on the license, in addition to the birth certificate or passport.

OR

• Any two of the following documents in the current name on the license:
  • Certified copy of Marriage License
  • Original Social Security Card
  • Previous Year Income Tax Return
  • Current Insurance Policy
  • Current Automobile Registration Receipt
  • Original Voter Registration Card

Non US Citizens must present original immigration documentation for each service or transaction conducted with the Department Of Driver Services.