New Mexico has been granted an extension under the Real ID Act of 2005 that allows current state-issued driver’s licenses and IDs to be accepted for boarding commercial flights. Until 2021*, you may continue to renew and use the non-federal-compliant driver’s license, which is now referred to as a Standard Driver’s License.

In order to get or renew your Standard Driver’s License, you need the right documents to establish proof of identity, date of birth and New Mexico residency. The list of acceptable documents is below.

DOCUMENTATION YOU NEED

LIST A
Documents that Establish Proof of Identity and Date of Birth, One (1) of the following:
Applicants can use (1) of the documents below if it contains the applicant’s name and date of birth to provide documentary proof of their identity and age. If the document does not contain the applicant’s name and date of birth (2) of the below documents will be required.
  1. Original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with a state office of vital statistics or equivalent agency in the individuals place of birth
  2. Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the US Department of State, Form FS-240, DS-1350 or FS-545
  3. Unexpired Employment Authorization document issued by the US Department of Homeland Security, form I-766 or form I-688B, verified by SAVE
  4. Identification card issued by the consulate of Mexico in El Paso Texas, Albuquerque New Mexico, or such other foreign consulate*
  5. Certified Letter of Enrollment issued by a federally recognized Indian nation, tribe, or pueblo*
  6. Valid Identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian nation, tribe, or pueblo*
  7. Certified copy of foreign birth certificate, with a notarized English translation if not in English*
  8. Affidavit of Indian Birth
  9. State issued driver’s license, driver’s license issued by a U.S. Territory, or by jurisdiction of Canada, with photograph and has not been expired more than a year*
  10. State government-issued photo ID card, or photo ID card issued by U.S. Territory, or by jurisdiction of Canada, with photograph and has not been expired more than a year*
  11. A state government issued learners permit, or a learner’s permit issued by a territory of the US, or by a jurisdiction of Canada, with photograph and has not been expired more than a year*
  12. American Indian or Alaskan proof of Indian blood, certificate of degree of Indian blood, federal Indian census card or tribal membership card*
  13. Photo ID card issued by the U.S. Military, U.S. Coast Guard or New Mexico National Guard*
  14. ID document issued by the U.S. Veterans Administration, so long as it is accompanied by a U.S. Veterans Administration medical center identification card*
  15. U.S. active duty/retiree/reservist military ID card (DOD ID DD-2)*
  16. U.S., state, or local government-issued photo ID, issued based on name, social security number and date of birth if not expired more than a year*
  17. N560 Certificate of Citizenship, if verified in SAVE
  18. N550 Certificate of Naturalization, if verified in SAVE
  19. Valid Permanent Resident card issued by the U.S. government, if verified in SAVE
  20. Valid I-551 resident alien card, issued since 1997, if verified in SAVE
  21. Valid New Mexico license or ID card
  22. Court order for name change, gender change, adoption or divorce, as long as it includes the legal name, date of birth, and court seal*
  23. New Mexico Corrections Department photo identification card, or a photo identification card issued by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, that includes name, date of birth, and documentation that the card has not expired within the past year*
  24. Social Security card or other document from the SSA with the applicant’s name and social security number*
  25. DD-214 Military Discharge or Separation papers*
  26. Selective Service card*
  27. I-94 form presented without passport if it contains the applicants photo, if verified in SAVE
  28. Military dependent identification card that includes the applicants photo*
  29. Medical insurance card or documentation of medical insurance coverage or eligibility containing an insurance identification number including a Medicaid or Medicare card*
  30. Passport or Passport card from the US if verified through SAVE
  31. Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN)*
  32. Passport or Passport card from the applicant’s country of citizenship, if verified in SAVE*
  33. Medical record less than 1 year old that is not from Emergency room or Urgent Care facility*
  34. Proof of eligibility for and receipt of welfare benefits, including general assistance, temporary assistance for needy families and the supplemental nutrition assistance program with a copy of the Human Services Department profile page dated within the last year
LIST B
Documents that Establish Proof of New Mexico Residency, Two (2) of the following
In conjunction with LIST A, the application must also provide two (2) of the following documents with the same physical address to establish proof of New Mexico Residency: Documents can be from the same category below, but not from the same entity.
  1. Current real property rental or purchase agreement
  2. Current Insurance bill, card, or binder
  3. Local property tax statement
  4. Original documents from a city, county, state, tribal or federal government organization attesting to the fact that the applicant is a New Mexico resident
  5. New Mexico medical assistance card with address on card, letter from issuing agency that came with card showing name and address, or profile printout from issuing agency.
  6. Document evidencing eligibility and proof that the applicant is currently receiving services from a non-profit organization qualified pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986 provided the document displays the applicant’s address
  7. NM Public Assistance card with address on card, letter from issuing agency that came with card showing name and address, or profile printout from issuing agency.

The following documents must be dated within 60 days:

  1. Utility bill; Does not include cell phone bills
  2. Bank or credit card statement
  3. Employment pay stub containing applicant’s name and address
  4. Documentation from an education institution such as a transcript, report card or enrollment confirmation.

Applicants under 18 may also provide:

  1. Documents indicating membership in a NM sports organization provided applicant is less than 18 years of age
  2. Documents indicating membership in a NM religious organization, provided the applicant is less than 18 years of age
  3. If the applicant is less than 18 years of age, an affidavit from the applicant’s parent or guardian stating that the applicant lives with that person, as long as the affidavit is accompanied by the parent/guardian’s New Mexico Identification card, or two proofs of residency of the parent/guardian

NOTE: Applicants for a DL or ID card not acceptable for federal purposes who are homeless or in temporary lodging and unable to provide two of the documents identified in List B may provide an affidavit or notarized letter from a representative of a New Mexico governmental entity, not-for-profit organization, assisted care facility/home, adult assisted living facility/home, homeless shelter, transitional service provider, or group/halfway house certifying to the address where the applicant resides or receives services in lieu of the requirements in List B.

For more information on the documentation requirements for Standard Driver’s Licenses and Identification Cards, or if you have a question about whether or not a particular document or form of ID is acceptable for your New Mexico Standard Driver’s License please contact us.


IMPORTANT REAL ID INFORMATION REGARDING MAIDEN NAME/NAME CHANGES

  • If your proof of identity document (birth certificate, social security card, passport, etc.) does not contain your current full legal name, you must present official documents reflecting any name change(s). This may include a marriage certificate, divorce decree, adoption records or court order.
  • In a case of multiple name changes, you must present official documents for each name change. Divorce decrees must reference the maiden name or former name before marriage.
  • If your passport or identity document contains your current legal name, you do not need to provide proof of a name change.

Please note: These documentation requirements are acceptable for the issuance of non-commercial driver’s licenses. Please see MVD Driver’s Manual for details about documentation required for CDLs.

* The expiration date of New Mexico’s extension is tentative and subject to change by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

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