In the state of New Jersey, a person who wants to get a driver’s license, driver’s permit, non-driver identification card or boat license must prove their identity by passing the 6 Points of ID verification. The individual must show at least one primary document and one secondary document to prove identity and date of birth.
They must also show a verifiable Social Security number (SSN), an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) or affidavit. Further, the person must provide proof of address to show they are a New Jersey resident.
Primary Documents in New Jersey
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) defines a primary document as:
- U.S. or U.S. territory birth certificate or certified copy filed with a state office of vital statistics or equivalent agency in the individual’s state of birth.
- U.S. Department of State birth certificate (Form FS-545 or DS-1350).
- U.S. Department of State Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240).
- U.S. adoption papers.
- U.S. passport or passport card.
- Foreign government-issued passport from applicant’s country of citizenship.
- New Jersey driver’s license, digitized, including a probationary license.
- New Jersey digitized non-driver ID card.
- U.S. military photo identification card (Common Access Card).
- Original birth certificate from any country.
- Photo driver's license from any state, U.S. territory or the District of Columbia.
- Photo driver's license issued by country other than the U.S., which must be presented with another government-issued document.
- Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550, N-570 or N-578).
- Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560, N-561 or N-645).
- Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551).
- ID card issued by a consulate or national government.
- Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571).
- U.S. Re-entry Permit (Form I-327).
- I-94 stamped “Refugee,” “Parolee,” “Asylee” or “Notice of Action” (Form I-797 approved petition) by U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- I-94 with attached photo stamped “Processed for I-551…” by USCIS.
- Photo Employment Authorization Card (Form I-766), which must be presented with a valid Social Security card or proof of ITIN.
- REAL ID compliant driver's license or non-driver ID from any state, U.S. territory or the District of Columbia.
Each of these documents is worth four points.
Definition of Secondary Documents
The MVC defines a secondary document as:
- New Jersey digitized driver's license, including probationary license.
- New Jersey digitized non-driver ID card.
- Photo driver's license from any state, U.S. territory or the District of Columbia.
- Legal name change court order signed by a judge or court clerk.
- Civil marriage or civil union license or certificate or divorce decree.
- Document issued by U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
- U.S. Uniformed Services photo ID card.
- U.S. Civilian Retiree photo ID card.
- Veterans Administration universal access photo ID card.
- Official school or college photo ID card with transcript or school records, with applicant’s date of birth, from any country.
- New Jersey Firearm Purchaser card.
Each of these documents is worth three points.
Additional secondary documents:
- U.S. government employee driver's license.
- U.S. government employee photo ID card.
- U.S. military discharge papers (DD214).
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot license.
- Certified adoption records from any country other than the United States.
- New Jersey Department of Corrections (DOC) ID card.
Each of these documents is worth two points.
One-Point Documents
No more than two one-point documents are allowed. One-point documents include:
- Driving privilege card with photo issued by any state, municipality, U.S. territory or the District of Columbia.
- State professional license.
- New Jersey Public Assistance card with photo.
- Social Security card with Social Security Administration verification.
- High school diploma or GED, college diploma or trade school degree from any country.
- Bank statement/record on bank letterhead. Cannot be used in conjunction with an ATM card.
- ATM card with pre-printed name and applicant’s signature. Cannot be used in conjunction with a bank statement.
- Health insurance card or prescription card.
- Employee identification card accompanied by a printed pay stub from applicant’s employment in the U.S.
- Property tax statement, bill or receipt issued by a New Jersey municipality.
- For New Jersey high school students, a waiver certificate for the written portion of the driver test.
Proof of New Jersey Residency
These documents can be used to prove residency in New Jersey:
- New Jersey driver’s license or non-driver identification card or MVC-issued driver license renewal form.
- Property tax bill, statement or receipt or any letter or correspondence received from the IRS or state tax office within the past year.
- Original unexpired lease or rental agreement with name of applicant as lessee or renter.
- Checking or savings account statement from a bank or credit union issued within the last 60 days.
- Utility or credit card bill issued in the past 90 days.
- A deed or title to real property.
- 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 statement from a parent or guardian certifying the address of the applicant.
Proof of Social Security Number
The applicant must submit their Social Security number application on verification with the Social Security Administration (SSA). If ID verification fails, the person should submit one of the following to include their full name and full Social Security number:
- Social Security card, no copies.
- W-2 Form issued within the past year.
- Pay stub issued within the past year.
- SSA-1099 Form issued within the past year.
- Non-SSA-1099 Form issued within the past year.
Alternatively, the person can submit proof of ITIN. This can be an official document from the IRS or the New Jersey Division of Taxation that displays the applicant’s name and ITIN or a New Jersey income tax refund displaying the ITIN.
Individuals who are ineligible for an SSN and who do not have an ITIN are allowed to submit a signed affidavit form available on the initial license page of the MVC website. The affidavit must be signed in front of an MVC agency employee. False statements are punishable by law.
Legal Proof of Name Change
The legal proof of a name change is a certified marriage or civil union certificate, divorce decree or court order that links the new name with the previous name. A divorce decree may be used as authority to resume using a previous name only if the decree contains the married name and previous name.
The decree must also state a return to use of the previous name. A civil union or marriage certificate may only be used as proof of change to a last name.
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Writer Bio
Jessica Zimmer is a journalist and attorney based in northern California. She has practiced in a wide variety of fields, including criminal defense, property law, immigration, employment law, and family law.