Getting Your Identity Documents

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State Identification CardsA State Identification card (State ID) is another way to prove your identity. A State ID can be used in some of the same ways as a birth certificate. You can get a State ID at any age.

How do I get a State ID card?Go to your local Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) office and take the following things:

• Your Social Security Number: A social security card or two documents that have your Social Security Number.

• Proof of Identity: An original copy of your birth certificate, a valid passport or photo ID issued bythe Military, Coast Guard, or New Mexico National Guard.

• Proof that you live in New Mexico: Bring a utility bill, insurance bill, bank statement, or rental agreement. Individuals under 15 years old need one form of proof of residency. Those over 15 need two.

Go to http://www.dmv.org/nm-new-mexico/id-cards.php#Application_Process for a complete list of what you need to get a State ID.

NM Driver’s LicencesA New Mexico Driver’s License (NMDL) is another way to prove your identity and show that you’ve earned the priviledge of driving. In order to get a NMDL, you must complete a series of steps, including driver’s education.

• Step 1, Learner’s Permit: You must be at least 15 years old to apply for a learner’s permit. To apply for a learner’s permit, you must bring proof of having completed or being enrolled in a driver’s education program, proof of NM residency, pass a vision test, and pay a fee. Once you have

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This brochure explains how to go about getting copies of identity documents such as birth certificates, state ID cards, driver’s licenses, and

social security cards.

the learner’s permit, you must complete 50 hours of supervised driving and obey a series of rules (a list is available at http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/apply-for-a-learner-s-permit.aspx) for six months to move onto the next step.

• Step 2, Provisional License: Once you have completed the requirements for the learner’s permit, you may apply for a provisional license. To apply for a provistional license, you must provide proof that you’ve completed a driver’s education course as well as the required 50 hours of behind the wheel training. You must also pass the MVD Road Skills Exam and pay a fee. You must be at least 15 1/2 to apply for a provisional license. The provisional license is good for 12 months and has restrictions which can be found at http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/apply-for-a-learner-s-permit.aspx.

• Step 3, Driver’s License: You must be at least 16 1/2 and have completed steps 1 and 2 to apply for a NM Driver’s License. If you are under 18, you and a parent or guardian must apply for a NMDL. There is a $18.00 to $34.00 fee for a NMDL. For more information, please visit http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/apply-for-a-learner-s-permit.aspx.

Paid for with funding from the New Mexico Civil Legal Services Commission.

Birth CertificatesHow do I get a copy of my birth

certificate?In New Mexico, birth records are kept by the New Mexico Division of Vital Records and Health Statistics. This is who you must contact to get a copy of your birth certificate.

Who can request a copy of my birth certificate?

• Your parent or guardian.

• If you are on your own, you can get your birth certificate with your state issued identification card (ID).

• If you are living on your own and do not have an ID, a member of your immediate family can get a copy. The family member does not have to be over 18, but must have an ID.

How do I request a copy of my birth certificate?

• Call the Vital Records Bureau at (505) 827-0121. You can also go online to http://www.vitalrecordsnm.org/Forms/birthsearchapp.pdf to get the application.

• Mail the completed application along with a photocopy of your state issued ID or the state issued ID of the immediate family member requesting your birth certificate and $10 for every birth certificate that you request to:

New Mexico Vital RecordsPost Office Box 26110Santa Fe, NM 87502.

• To request a copy in person:

o In Santa Fe, 1105 South Saint Francis Drive- (505) 827-0121

o In Albuquerque, Stanford Public Health Office, 1111 Stanford NE - (505) 841-4185

Social Security CardsHow can I get a copy of my Social

Security Card?If you don’t have a Social Security card, you can get one from the Social Security Administration. If you are over 12 years old and have never had a social security number issued to you, you must appear in person.

• To get an application for a social security card go to a Social Security Office or online at http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf.

• Bring or mail the application to your local Social Security office with the following documents:

o Proof of U.S. citizenship or immigration status:

- U.S. birth certificate or passport- A current document from the Department of Homeland Security showing your immigration status such as Form I-551, I-94, I-688B, or I-766.

o Proof of age:

- U.S. Birth certificate – preferred- U.S. Passport – may be accepted- Final Adoption Decree – may be accepted

o Proof of Identity:

- U.S. Driver’s license- U.S. State issued identity card- U.S. passport- If you are not a U.S. citizen you must have your current U.S. immigration document and your foreign passport.

For more information on getting or replacing a Social Security card, go to http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/. There are local Social Security offices in Albuquerque, Carlsbad, Clovis, Farmington, Gallup, Hobbs, Las Cruces, Las Vegas, Roswell, and Santa Fe.