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myBMV > Driver's Licenses > SecureID Driver's License and ID Cards > SecureID Documents > Proving Your Identity > SecureID Frequently Asked Questions SecureID Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about SecureID by reading the frequently asked questions below. To jump to a specific section, select a topic from the list below.

General Questions About SecureID

What is SecureID and how does it affect me?

SecureID is a requirement for anyone applying for a new Indiana driver’s license, permit, or identification card to prove they are who they say they are. All customers who are applying for a new driver’s license, permit, or identification card will be required to bring to a license branch original versions or certified copies of documents. 

If you are renewing, amending, or replacing your current driver's license, permit, or identification card you are asked to bring your documents to a license branch to get a SecureID. You should follow the new SecureID procedures on your normal renewal date.

If you have questions or trouble when collecting your documents, you can contact the BMV Contact Center toll-free at 888-692-6841 and speak with a customer service representative for help or visit any Indiana license branch for assistance. For all document categories, the BMV has the ability to grant exceptions if certain items, such as a birth certificate, are not available to you.

If you have a current Indiana driver’s license or identification card and you are having difficulty collecting your documents, you can apply for a non-SecureID driver's license or identification card in order to drive or vote. 

I hold a current Indiana driver’s license. Am I required to get a SecureID when I renew my license?

Customers who need to renew, amend, or replace their current Indiana driver’s license, permit, or identification card are asked to bring original versions or certified copies of documents so they can obtain a new SecureID credential.

If you have questions or trouble when collecting your documents, you can contact the BMV Contact Center toll-free at 888-692-6841 and speak with a customer service representative for help or visit any Indiana license branch for assistance.

If you have a current Indiana driver’s license or identification card and you are having difficulty collecting your documents, you can apply for a non-SecureID driver's license or identification card in order to drive or vote. 

How will Hoosiers learn about these changes?

The BMV’s extensive public information campaign will include letters to customers with more detailed information, media outreach, and online updates.

What documents do I need?

Your documents need to prove your name and date of birth, Social Security number, lawful status in the United States, and residency in Indiana.

When will I need to bring in my documents?

If you are applying for a new driver’s license, permit, or identification card, you must bring documents when you visit a license branch to apply for your credential.

If you are renewing, amending, or replacing your current driver's license, permit, or identification card, you are asked to bring your documents to a license branch to get a SecureID. You should follow the new SecureID procedures on your normal renewal date.

When do I need to renew my driver’s license or identification card?

Your current license or identification card will be valid until its stated expiration date.

If you are renewing, amending, or replacing your current driver's license, permit, or identification card, you are asked to bring your documents to a license branch to get a SecureID. You should follow the new SecureID procedures on your normal renewal date.

If you have questions or trouble when collecting your documents, you can contact the BMV Contact Center toll-free at 888-692-6841 and speak with a customer service representative for help or visit any Indiana license branch for assistance. For all document categories, the BMV has the ability to grant exceptions if certain items, such as a birth certificate, are not available to you.

If you have a current Indiana driver’s license or identification card and you are having difficulty collecting your documents, you can apply for a non-SecureID driver's license or identification card in order to drive or vote.

Should I bring my documents with me every time I renew my driver's license or identification card?

No. You will only need to provide these documents once.

If you have questions or trouble when collecting your documents, you can contact the BMV Contact Center toll-free at 888-692-6841 and speak with a customer service representative for help or visit any Indiana license branch for assistance. For all document categories, the BMV has the ability to grant exceptions if certain items, such as a birth certificate, are not available to you.

What happens after I provide my documents to branch employees?

In the central issuance process, the BMV verifies your identity and lawful status and confirms that you do not already hold a driver's license, permit, or identification card in your name or another name, and that your license is not suspended. The license branch employee will take your documents, electronically scan them and then return the original documents to you before you leave the license branch. The scanned documents will then be reviewed by BMV employees before your permanent license is mailed to you.

I am a foreign national. Will this change how I apply for a driver’s license or identification card?

No. The process will remain the same for foreign nationals.

If I am a commercial driver's license holder, will this change affect me?

Only if you are applying for a new commercial driver's license.

Will these procedures add time to my visit to the license branch?

There may be some additional time required for each transaction, but with the new central issuance procedure, customers will not need to wait for their permanent driver’s license, permit, or identification card to be printed.

Many non-license transactions can be done online or with one of our Customer Choices partners.

In addition to providing my documents, will I need to take a knowledge or skills test to renew my license?

No. You will not need to take a knowledge or skills test unless testing would normally be required to renew your license.

Proving Your Identity

What documents are acceptable to prove my name and date of birth?

The most common documents proving your identity are an original or certified United States birth certificate (must be an original or certified copy filed with a U.S. state or territory office of vital statistics or equivalent agency in your state of birth), a United States passport, or a foreign passport with a VISA and an I-94 form issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security.

What if my name has changed and my birth certificate or other identity document lists my former name?

If your current legal name is different from the name on your birth certificate or lawful status document, you must show legal proof of the name change (showing a link to all name changes). A marriage certificate is generally sufficient for married women. Those who have been through multiple name changes because of marriage, divorce, or adoption must show proof of each name change.

What if I have no birth record on file?

You must provide one of the other acceptable identity documents.

How can I obtain a copy of my birth certificate?

If you do not have your birth certificate in your possession (must be an original or certified copy filed with a U.S. state or territory office of vital statistics or equivalent agency in your state of birth), you need to contact your state or county Department of Health office of the state of your birth and request an original or certified copy. Some states may take up to five months to process duplicate birth certificates.

What if I cannot get my birth certificate?

If you cannot obtain your birth certificate, there are other source documents that may be used for verification purposes.

What if I don’t have photo identification in order to acquire a certified birth certificate as required in most states?

There are a variety of acceptable non-photo identification documents that most departments of health accept to obtain a birth certificate.

Can I bring in a photocopy of my birth certificate?

No. You must bring in an original or certified version of your birth certificate (must be an original or certified copy filed with a U.S. state or territory office of vital statistics or equivalent agency in your state of birth). You may provide a certified photocopy from the state’s vital records agency.

Can my military ID be used as an identity document?

No. Military ID cards are issued to both citizens and non-citizens, including members of the U.S. military, private contractors and civilian employees of the military both in the U.S. and in countries throughout the world. This is consistent with the rulings of the U.S. government designed to protect an individual’s identity from theft or fraud.

Proving Your Social Security Number

What documents are acceptable to prove my Social Security number?

You are required to present documentation of your Social Security number, such as a Social Security card, a W-2 form, a SSA-1099 form, a non-SSA-1099 form, or a pay stub with the applicant’s name and Social Security number on it.

What if I am not eligible for a Social Security number?

You must provide a letter from the Social Security Administration affirming your ineligibility for a Social Security number. Letters that are more than 60 days old will not be accepted.

What if I have lost my Social Security card?

You can provide another Social Security number verification document from our online list, or obtain a new card from the Social Security Administration.

Proving Your Lawful Status In The United States

What source documents are acceptable to prove my lawful status?

Many of the lawful status documents are the same documents used to prove identity. The most common documents are an original or certified United States birth certificate (must be an original or certified copy filed with a U.S. state or territory office of vital statistics or equivalent agency in your state of birth), United States passport or a foreign passport with an I-94 form issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Can I use an original or certified United States birth certificate or passport to prove lawful status?

Yes.

If I am a non-citizen resident of the United States, what documents can I use to show lawful status?

The United States Department of Homeland Security issues various documents that establish lawful status in the United States.

If my passport has expired, will it be acceptable for proof of lawful status?

Most expired lawful status documents will not be accepted.

Proving Your Indiana Residency

What documents are acceptable to prove my residency in Indiana?

Two documents are required to prove your Indiana residency. The most common document that may prove your Indiana residency is a computer-generated bill from a utility company, credit card, doctor, or hospital issued within 60 days of the application date and containing your name and address of residence.

If I am renting, can I have a hand-written notice from my landlord?

No. The residency verification must be an electronically-generated document.

What if I am under 18 years of age and do not have any bills in my name?

The process in this situation has not changed from current BMV policy. Someone over 18 years of age must sign a residency affidavit for an individual under age 18 at the license branch at the time of the application. The person signing the affidavit of residency must present a valid Indiana driver’s license or identification card, one source document from the list showing proof of identity and two source documents from the list showing proof of address.

What If I Still Have Questions?

Learn more about receiving credentials through the mail by reading our frequently asked questions.

If you have questions, you can contact the BMV Contact Center toll-free at 888-692-6841 and speak with a customer service representative for help or visit any Indiana license branch for assistance.