Driving Tests

What to Bring to the Nebraska DMV: Documents and REAL ID

informational·how to guide·Published September 3, 2026

Which documents do I need for a Nebraska permit or license?

For a first Nebraska permit or license, bring one document that proves U.S. citizenship or lawful status and your identity, two documents from two separate sources that show your name and current Nebraska home address, and your Social Security number or proof that you are exempt. Add papers for any name change. Documents must be certified with a raised seal or stamp: no faxes or photocopies.

Where the Nebraska document rules come from

The document lists come from the Nebraska DMV document verification page and the DMV document verification form (Rev. 09/2024). The REAL ID star and the 2026 card design come from the DMV new resident page and the DMV news releases of 2020 and March 2026. The Nebraska Driver's Manual (January 2025) and Nebraska Revised Statutes 60-484, 60-484.04 and 60-484.05 give the other rules. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Nebraska DMV (dmv.nebraska.gov) before you drive.

What to bring to a Nebraska driver licensing office

What to bring to a Nebraska driver licensing office
Proof	What you show	Key rule
Citizenship or lawful status, and identity	One document, such as a certified birth certificate or a U.S. passport	A new applicant shows U.S. citizenship proof one time
Nebraska address	Two documents with your first and last name and your current residential address	Two separate issuing sources; no P.O. Box
Social Security number	Your valid number on the DMV data form, or proof that you are exempt	Exemption needs a valid, unexpired I-94 or I-94A in a valid foreign passport
Name change (if it applies)	Papers for every name change since the document in the first row was issued	For example a certified marriage license, divorce decree or court order

Which one document proves citizenship and identity?

A certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate from a county or state vital statistics office. A hospital birth certificate is not accepted.
A valid U.S. passport or passport card.
A Certificate of Naturalization or a Certificate of U.S. Citizenship.
A Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. citizen.
A birth certificate from a U.S. territory. Puerto Rico birth certificates are accepted only if issued after a set date, so check the DMV document list first.
Lawful status documents, such as a Permanent Resident Card (I-551) or an I-766 Employment Authorization Document card.

Certified documents only: no photocopies or faxes

Each document must be certified with a raised seal or stamp, and the DMV does not accept faxed or photocopied documents. A document that says "not to be used for proof of identification" is not accepted to verify identity. In some cases, approval does not happen on the same day, and you need a second visit to the office.

What counts as proof of your Nebraska address?

Dated within the last 90 days: a bank or financial institution statement, a pay stub with the employer's name and address, a government document such as a receipt, any correspondence, receipt or invoice, or an envelope or postcard with a postmark or stamped date.
No 90-day limit on the form: a valid Nebraska vehicle registration, a valid life, health, auto or home insurance policy or card, a valid real estate tax statement, any valid license such as a driver's or nursing license, a Nebraska voter registration card, or a Nebraska DMV renewal notice.
A mortgage, lease or rental agreement. A lease or rental agreement must show the landlord's name and contact information.
A P.O. Box is not accepted. If you are under 21 and cannot show your own proof of address, your parent's or guardian's documents are accepted.

What changes for your situation?

You are under 18

State law asks for a certified copy of your birth certificate. If you cannot get one, the law allows other reliable proof of your identity and age, with a signed statement from a parent or guardian that explains why.

You are new in Nebraska with a valid license from another state

You must get a Nebraska license within 30 days. You show the same proofs as a first-time applicant. Our free question on the 30-day deadline for new residents lets you check the rule, and our guide to moving to Nebraska covers the tests.

You are not a U.S. citizen

Bring your USCIS documents on every visit. The DMV verifies them before it issues a card, and that can take up to 20 federal work days. For a student or exchange visitor, see our guide for international students and foreign licenses.

You have a USCIS parolee status

You can get Nebraska ID and driving documents marked NOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION. You meet the same identification, verification and testing rules as other applicants.

Extra papers for non-citizens

With some documents, such as a valid, unexpired I-94 in a valid foreign passport or an employment authorization card (I-766), you must also show a second document from the list or an I-797 form. If your status is F1, F2, J1, J2, M1 or M2, you also need an I-20 or DS-2019. If your authorized stay is temporary, your license or ID card is temporary too: it is valid only for your authorized stay in the United States, or for one year if the stay has no end date.

Is a Nebraska license a REAL ID?

Look for a star in the upper right corner of the card. Cards issued in March 2026 and after show a white star in a black circle. Older cards, issued before March 2026 and valid through December 2031, show a white star in a gold circle.
The Nebraska DMV began to issue REAL ID compliant cards in 2013, and in 2020 it said all valid Nebraska cards in circulation were compliant. Do not send your personal information to groups that offer REAL ID help: the only valid places to get a REAL ID are a DMV office and dmv.nebraska.gov.

How to get ready before you go

1
Fill in the data form
Complete the data form from dmv.nebraska.gov/forms and write your complete Social Security number on it, unless you are not eligible for one. If you booked an appointment online in Bellevue, Lincoln or Omaha, the form is already done.
2
Pick one proof of citizenship or lawful status
Use a certified birth certificate, a passport or another document from the list. Check for a raised seal or stamp.
3
Find two address documents
Use two documents from two separate sources that show your name and current residential address. Check the dates on bank statements, pay stubs and mail.
4
Add name change papers
If your name changed, bring every document that links the old name to the new one.
5
Bring a renewal notice if you have one
Bring the renewal notice postcard with your data form. A Nebraska DMV renewal notice also counts as an address document.

Key takeaways

Bring one proof of citizenship or lawful status and identity, two proofs of your Nebraska address and your Social Security number or exemption.
Use documents certified with a raised seal or stamp. No faxes, no photocopies, no hospital birth certificates and no P.O. Box addresses.
Under 21, you may use your parent's or guardian's address documents. A name change needs papers for each change.
A REAL ID has a star in the upper right corner: black circle from March 2026, gold circle before that.
Next step: practice on the free Nebraska Class O learner's license practice test.

Nebraska DMV documents: common questions

Do I show proof of citizenship every time I go to the Nebraska DMV?

No. A first-time applicant, or an applicant with valid out-of-state documents, shows proof of citizenship one time only. The DMV does not ask again on later visits. A person who shows USCIS documents for lawful status must bring them every time they visit an exam office.

Can I use a bill sent to my P.O. Box as proof of address?

No. A P.O. Box is not accepted. You need two documents with your first and last name and your current residential address, from two separate sources. Many mail items must be dated within the last 90 days, and a Nebraska vehicle registration or an insurance card has no 90-day limit on the form.

Is my Nebraska license with a gold star still a REAL ID?

Yes. The DMV changed the card design in March 2026, and the star mark changed from a gold circle to a black circle. A card with the old design stays valid for all official purposes until the expiration date on the card. You do not have to replace it early: renew or replace it only when you must do so for another reason.

What do I bring if my name changed after marriage or divorce?

Bring papers that show every name change since your main document was issued. The DMV form lists a marriage license or certificate, a certified divorce decree, a certified court order, an amended birth certificate, a certificate of naturalization or name change, and adoption documents. Together they must link your old name to your new name.

What can I bring to prove my Social Security number?

You write your complete Social Security number on the data form. The DMV may ask for proof that shows the complete number: a Social Security card, a W-2 form, an SSA-1099 form, or a pay stub with your name and number. If you are not eligible for a number, show a valid, unexpired I-94 or I-94A in a valid foreign passport.