Bank statements, pay stubs, W-2 forms, school enrollment records, and more can be used as proof of residency in Idaho.
Whether you’re a first-time applicant or a long-time resident simply looking to renew your driver's license
or upgrade to a Star Card, Idaho
law requires applicants to submit proof of residency prior to issuing a valid state driver’s license. But not every document that has your address on it counts as proof of Idaho residency—that’s why Jerry
has put together this short and sweet guide on what does (and doesn’t) qualify as proof of residency in Idaho. We’ll cover the documents you can use, and everything else you’ll need. RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
What documents can be used as proof of residency in Idaho?
In order to obtain an Idaho driver’s license or Star Card (the Idaho version of a REAL ID
) you’ll need to provide your county Sheriff’s DMV office with identification documents that fall into the following three categories: Proof of legal presence (e.g. birth certificates, valid passports or passport cards, certificate of citizenship, etc.)
Social Security Number (e.g. social security card)
Proof of Idaho residency (e.g. account statements, tax documents, pay stubs, medical or insurance provider statements, etc.)
For a first-time driver’s license or Star Card application, you’ll need to provide one document that satisfies proof of legal presence, as well as two separate documents that prove Idaho residency, along with your social security number.
The following documents can be used to satisfy proof of Idaho residency:
Your lease or rental agreement, deed, or mortgage
Record of assessed or paid property taxes dated within the past year
A valid W-2 Form or Form-1099 tax document
Pay stubs or employment verification that include your full legal name
A statement, invoice, or explanation of benefits from your medical or insurance provider
An account statement from your bank or another financial institution
An account statement from one or two separate public utilities (must include service address and your full legal name)
A valid vehicle, homeowner’s, or renter’s liability card or bill issued by an Idaho-based carrier (must include current address)
Original or non-altered court documents that include your current address
School enrollment records from an Idaho-based institution (must include either your current address or VOC for the current school year)
A motel, hotel, or campground/RV park receipt that demonstrates 30 or more days of residency
Military Leave and Earning Statement (LES) for Idaho residents deployed out of state while on active duty
A relief agency or shelter certification
A residency affidavit signed by an adult over the age of 18
Any of the above documents can be used as proof of residency in the state of Idaho when applying for a driver’s license or Star Card. Just remember that you’ll need to bring along two separate documents on the list above to qualify. All of the documents you choose must be in your current legal name and dated within the past year.
One more thing: only original or printed e-documents are accepted. Faxed, photocopied, or laminated documents won’t satisfy the proof of residency requirement. The only exception is for a vehicle, homeowner’s, or renter’s liability card/binder/bill, for which a photocopy of the e-document is acceptable.
What documents do not qualify as proof of Idaho residency?
Idaho allows residents to use a variety of documents as proof of residency—with a few, notable exceptions. The following documents do not qualify as proof of Idaho residency:
Cell phone bills or account statements
What qualifies for proof of identity in Idaho?
In Idaho, proof of identity is broken down into two separate categories: legal presence documents and Social Security number. For the latter, you’ll either need your physical Social Security Card, an IRS Form W-2, or another tax document that has your SSN printed on it. To prove legal presence, you can use one of the following documents:
Your certified birth certificate issued by your birth state
A US Consular Report of Birth Abroad
Certificate of naturalization, Form N-550 or Form N-570
Certificate of citizenship, Form N-560 or Form N-561
Form FS-240, Form DS-1350, or Form FS-545
A valid employment authorization document (EAD), Form I-766, or Form I-688B in conjunction with a valid foreign passport
An unexpired, valid foreign passport, presented in conjunction with a US Visa, approved I-94 Form, and valid EAD card or other acceptable documents
A valid permanent resident card (Form I-551)
If your name no longer matches the name on your original birth certificate as a result of a legal name change through marriage, adoption, or court order, then you may also need to complete an affidavit of name change and will be required to show additional documentation that proves your legal name change, such as:
Certified marriage certificates or divorce documents
Court-issued name change documents
Applicants who have had more than one legal name change as the result of multiple marriages must be sure to bring certified documents for each marriage and divorce.
All applicants will also need to bring along a photo identity document, unless the proof of identity document you choose from the list above already includes a photo ID (e.g. your passport).
How to save on Idaho car insurance costs
Idaho law requires new residents to apply for an in-state driver’s license within three months of moving—which means you’ll also have to acquire enough coverage to meet the state’s minimum insurance requirements.
Here to help you keep the cost of those coverages low is Jerry
, the trustworthy insurance comparison app
. A licensed insurance broker, Jerry can collect affordable quotes from dozens of name-brand providers in seconds—and you can use it right on your phone. It’s this simple: download the Jerry app, and in less than 45 seconds Jerry collects all of your information from your existing insurer, then uses that info to find competitive rates on coverage that best fits your needs. Once you’ve found the right policy, Jerry takes care of the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick so you don’t have to.
Best of all, Jerry users save over $800 a year on car insurance
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