The 6-Point ID System at the New Jersey DMV
New Jersey uses a points system to verify your identity when you explore for a driver's license or state ID card. You need to bring documents that add up to at least 6 points. Each document is worth a certain number of points based on how difficult it is to forge and how reliably it proves who you are. A birth certificate might be worth 3 points, while a passport is worth 6 points on its own. The exact points your documents are worth depend on what they are and whether they show your current address.
You do not choose which documents to bring — you bring what you have, and the DMV staff will add up the points at your appointment. If your documents total fewer than 6 points, you will not be able to complete your transaction that day and will need to return with additional documents. Understanding what counts and how many points each document is worth helps you gather the right paperwork before you go.
Key Takeaways
- You must bring documents totaling at least 6 points; a single document like a U.S. passport counts as 6 points by itself.
- Documents showing your current address are worth more points than the same document without an address.
- Birth certificates, Social Security cards, and school IDs are typically worth 1 to 3 points each.
- The DMV staff will count your points at your appointment, so bring multiple documents to be safe.
- If you do not have enough points, you can return with additional documents without losing your place in line.
Documents Worth 6 Points (Counts Alone)
A few documents are worth the full 6 points by themselves, meaning you can walk in with just one of them and complete your transaction. These are documents the federal government or another state has issued and that are very difficult to counterfeit.
A U.S. passport or passport card counts as 6 points. A valid driver's license or state ID from another U.S. state also counts as 6 points. If you have a military ID issued by the Department of Defense, that is worth 6 points as well. A permanent resident card (green card) is worth 6 points. If you are a Native American tribal member with a tribal ID issued by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, that counts as 6 points too.
If you have any of these documents and they are still valid, bring it to your appointment. You will not need to gather anything else to meet the 6-point requirement.
Documents Worth 3 Points
Several documents are worth 3 points each. These are usually government-issued documents that show your name and date of birth but may not show your current address, or documents that are harder to verify but still reliable.
A certified birth certificate is worth 3 points. A Social Security card is worth 3 points. A U.S. Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship is worth 3 points. A valid passport from another country is worth 3 points. A school or college ID issued by an accredited school is worth 3 points. A work ID or employee badge from a government agency is worth 3 points.
If you bring two of these documents, you will have 6 points. For example, a birth certificate plus a Social Security card equals 6 points. If you bring a birth certificate and a school ID, you also have 6 points.
Documents Worth 1 or 2 Points (Address Matters)
Some documents are worth different amounts depending on whether they show your current address. A document with your address is worth more points than the same type of document without an address.
Utility bills, bank statements, and lease agreements are worth 2 points if they show your current name and address. Without a current address, they are worth 0 points. Insurance documents (auto, home, or renter's insurance) are worth 2 points with your current address and 0 points without. A property tax bill or mortgage statement is worth 2 points with your address. A government benefit letter (Social Security, unemployment, TANF, or similar) is worth 2 points with your address.
A high school diploma or GED certificate is worth 1 point. A work permit or employment authorization document (EAD) is worth 1 point. A court order or divorce decree is worth 1 point. These documents are worth the same whether or not they show your address.
If you bring a birth certificate (3 points) and a utility bill with your current address (2 points), you have 5 points and need one more. Adding a high school diploma (1 point) brings you to 6 points.
Documents That Do Not Count
Some documents people often bring do not count toward the 6-point requirement. A Social Security statement (not the card itself) does not count. A library card does not count. A student ID from a non-accredited school does not count. Expired documents generally do not count, with rare exceptions for certain government-issued IDs.
A document with your name but no date of birth usually does not count. For example, a credit card or a store membership card will not help you reach 6 points. If you are unsure whether a document counts, bring it anyway — the DMV staff will tell you at your appointment whether it adds to your total.
How to Prepare Your Documents Before Your Appointment
Gather at least two documents before you go to the DMV. If one document is worth 6 points (like a passport), you only need that one. If your strongest document is worth 3 points (like a birth certificate), bring at least two more documents worth 1 to 3 points each. Bringing extra documents protects you if one is rejected or does not count for a reason you did not expect.
Make sure your documents are not expired, unless they are a government-issued ID that the DMV accepts even when expired. Check that your name is spelled the same way on all your documents, or bring a court order or marriage certificate if your name has changed. If a document shows an old address, that is fine — the DMV will update your address based on what you tell them or what you show them at the appointment.
Bring the original documents, not copies. The DMV staff need to see and verify the real document. You will get your documents back after your appointment.
Scam Alert: Fake ID Mills and Document Brokers
Do not buy documents from anyone claiming they can get you a real New Jersey ID without going through the DMV in person. There is no shortcut. Anyone offering to file your paperwork for you, mail in your process, or provide a "real" ID without an appointment is running a scam. These fake documents will not work, and using them is a crime.
The DMV requires you to appear in person at a licensed facility. You must bring real, original documents. If someone online or in person offers to sell you documents or promises they can bypass the DMV process, report them to the New Jersey Attorney General's office and do not send money.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my birth certificate is not certified?
An uncertified birth certificate usually does not count. You need a certified copy, which has an official seal and is issued by the vital records office in the state or county where you were born. You can order a certified copy online or by mail from your state's vital records office, usually for $10 to $30.
Can I use a photo from my phone or a printed copy of a document?
No. The DMV needs to see and verify the original document in person. Printed copies and photos do not count. Bring the actual document.
My passport is expired. Can I still use it?
Yes. An expired U.S. passport still counts as 6 points for the purposes of getting a New Jersey ID or driver's license. Bring it to your appointment.
What if I was born outside the United States and do not have a U.S. birth certificate?
Bring your foreign birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers. A foreign birth certificate is usually worth 3 points. A passport from another country is worth 3 points. A Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship is worth 3 points. Combine any of these with other documents to reach 6 points.
Do I need to bring my Social Security card if I have a passport?
No. A passport alone is worth 6 points, so you do not need anything else. However, bringing your Social Security card does not hurt, and it can be useful if there are any questions about your identity.