Voter ID

Sample Voter ID

Sample Voter ID

Georgia law requires photo identification when voting either in person or absentee. 

  • Please contact your county registrar’s office or
  • The Secretary of State’s Elections Division at The Secretary of State’s Elections Division at Georgia Voter Identification requirements/ SOS Voter ID Requirements / Voter ID

What IDs are acceptable for in-person voting?

  • Any valid state or federal government-issued photo ID, including a free ID Card issued by your county registrar's office or the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS)
  • A Georgia Driver's License, even if expired
  • Student ID from a Georgia public College or University
  • Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority, or other entity of this state
  • Valid U.S. passport ID
  • Valid U.S. military photo ID containing a photograph of the voter
  • Valid tribal photo ID containing a photograph if the voter

Bring one of these seven forms of identification to vote in person

What IDs are Acceptable for Absentee Voting?  

When you send an application for an absentee ballot, you must include the number from your driver's license.

If you do not have one, include the number from your state-issued identification card, which you can get free at any office of the Department of Driver Services or your county voter registration office.

However, if you have neither driver's license nor a state ID card, then provide a copy or photo of one of the following:

  • United States Passport
  • Georgia Voter identification card
  • Other valid photo identification card issued by a branch, department, agency, or entity of the State of Georgia, any other state, or the United States authorized by law to issue personal identification
  • United States military identification card provided that such identification card contains a photograph of the voter
  • Employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the United States government, Georgia state government, or Georgia county, municipality, board, authority, or any other entity of the state of Georgia provided that such employee identification card contains a photograph of the voter
  • Tribal identification card, provided that such identification card contains a photograph of the voter
  • Student ID from a Georgia public College or University

OR

  • Any of the following documents that show your name and address:
    • Current Utility bill
    • Bank statement
    • Paycheck
    • Government check
    • Other government document

What if I don't have one of the acceptable forms of photo ID for voting in-person?  

  • The State of Georgia offers a free Voter ID Card.  The Voter ID Card can be issued at any county registrar's office or at any Georgia Department of Driver Services office free of charge.
    • To receive a voter identification card at the county registrar's office, the voter must provide:
      1. A photo identity document or approved non-photo identity document that includes full legal name and date of birth.
      2. Documentation showing the voter's date of birth.
      3. Evidence that the applicant is a registered voter.
      4. Documentation showing the applicant's name and residential address.

OR

  • A Voter ID card can be issued at any Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) office free of charge.

How do you get a Voter ID at DDS?

To receive a free Georgia Voter Identification card at DDS, voters must:

  1. Present documents to satisfy Real ID requirements which are listed below under "Acceptable REAL ID Documents".
  2. Provide a signed Affidavit for Identification Card for Voting Purposes (DDS-579)  (PDF, 45.42 KB) .

Acceptable REAL ID Documents

  • Proof of Identity - US Citizens (1 Document)
    Bring 1 of the following documents:
    • U.S. Birth Certificate/Amended Birth Certificate – Original or certified copy (Includes U.S territories and the District of Columbia).  Must have a raised seal and be issued by the Bureau of Vital Statistics or State Board of Health.
    • Unexpired U.S. Passport or Passport Card
    • Official Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by U.S. Department of State (FS-240, FS-545 or DS-1350)
    • Certificate of Naturalization (N-550, N-570) -  certified copy
    • Certificate of Citizenship (N-560, N-561) - certified copy
  • Proof of Name Change (Any and All Name Changes)

    If the name on your identity document differs from your current legal name, you must provide document(s) from the following list to show your name change history:

    • U.S. Passport or Passport Card
    • Divorce Decree – Stating the name change - certified copy
    • Court Order for Legal Name Change – certified copy
    • Court Adoption Document – certified copy
    • Marriage Certificate/License – certified copy
    • Marriage License Application - certified copy
    IMPORTANT
    • Customers who hold a valid GA Driver's License or ID Card are to present the original or certified document which supports the most recent name change.
  • Proof of Social Security Number (If Required)

    If your Social Security Number failed to verify through the system, you will be required to provide any of the following documents:

    • Social Security card – Original or copy
    • Print-out from SSA with name and full SSN
    • W-2 or 1099 form from employer showing name and full SSN
    • Paycheck stub showing name and full SSN
    • SSA-1099 or Non-SSA-1099 form showing name and full SSN
    • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits Letter with name and full SSN
    • Federal/State Tax Return with Applicant’s name and full SSN. Also acceptable for proof of SSN for Dependents
    • Medicare / Medicaid card with Applicant’s name and full SSN
    • Selective Service Notice with Applicant’s name and full SSN
    • Military Discharge Papers (DD-214, Mbr copy 4) or Military ID with Applicant’s name & full SSN, Disabled American Veteran Card (DAV), DS-516, Military Leave Orders

    If the above fails to resolve the SSN issue, you will need to contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) office.

    NOTE: Customers can redact or cross out non-essential information on Proof of Social Security Number documents such as:

    • account numbers
    • financial figures
    • or other information that does not obstruct your name and SSN
  • Proof of Georgia Residency (2 Documents)
    Bring 2 from any of the following document categories:

    The two (2) documents must be from separate sources or separate accounts (please redact account numbers).

    The documents must show your name and current residential address. P.O. Boxes do not prove residency.

    • Household Information – From a current or preceding calendar year – Mortgage, payment coupon, signed lease agreement, deed, HUD settlement statement, escrow statement, property tax bill, Homeowners insurance policy or premium bill, title search documentation, or Military housing agreement letter. Current (dated within the past six (6) months) valid rental contract/agreement, rent payment receipt for a home, apartment, mobile home, dorm, extended-stay motel.
    • Any physical postmarked mail delivered by the U.S.P.S. dated within the past six (6) months
    • Documents Issued by Federal, State, or Local Governments – From a current or preceding calendar year – Social Security documentation, Annual Benefits statement, Numident record, Social Security check. Government assistance documents such as Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment insurance claims, Disability, WIC, Georgia or Federal Income Tax Return or refund check, Voter Registration card, unexpired firearms license, unexpired Merchant Marine license, I-797A, I-797C, correspondence from DDS, USPS Change of Address confirmation, Jury Summons, Military discharge benefit statement, and other documents issued by Federal/State/Municipal government.
    • Financial Statements - Dated within the past six (6) months, please redact account numbers. Financial statement for bank/credit union account, investment account, credit card account, or loan/credit financing.
    • Utility Bills – Dated within the past six (6) months. Utility bill for services installed at your residential address (water, sewer, gas, electricity, cable/satellite TV, Internet, telephone/cell phone, or garbage collection). Please redact the account numbers.
    • Motor Vehicle Information – Vehicle Registration or Title, Insurance policy, or Insurance Card with the address displayed for the current year or dated within the past six (6) months.
    • Employer Documentation – From current or preceding calendar year – Employer verification including paycheck, paycheck stub, a letter from employer on company letterhead, or W-2 form.
    • School Records – School record/transcript for the current or prior school year, report card, student loan documentation, or form DS-1.
    • Medical Statements – From a current or preceding calendar year – Health insurance statement, explanation of benefits (EOB) for a claim, or a health care bill/invoice.
    • Other accepted documents: Georgia Department of Community Supervision Residence Verification Form; Refugee Address Verification Affidavit (DS-20); letter from a shelter, half-way house, or other similar facilities on letterhead, dated within the past six (6) months. **Accepted as stand-alone proof of residency.
  • Proof of Identity & Lawful Status - Non-US Citizens
    Bring 1 document for Proof of Identity and 1 document for Proof of Lawful Status (if required). 

    NOTE: Georgia Department of Driver Services does not accept translated documents. If a non-US Citizen establishes residency in Georgia, he or she must obtain a Georgia driver's license within thirty (30) days.

    DDS will only issue a driver's license in a name that exactly matches the original immigration documents. 

     

    Required Identification Documents for Non-Citizens

    First Immigration Document

    (For Proof of Identity)

    Second Immigration Document

    (For Proof of Lawful Status)

    Unexpired Foreign Passport with U.S. Visa

    (Immigration Status A, B, E, H, I, L, O, P, Q, R or S)

    		Valid I-94 or I797A Notice of Action

    Unexpired Foreign Passport with U.S. Visa

    (Immigration Status F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, M-1 or M-2)

    I-20 (For F-1, F-2, M-1, or M-2 Status)

    or

    DS-2019 (for J-1 or J-2 Status) and Valid I-94 or I-797A Notice of Action

    Unexpired Passport with I-94 or I-551 with Asylee or Refugee Status/StampNot Required
    I-766 with Category Code: C08Not Required
    I-766 with Temporary Protection StatusNot Required
    I-766 without Temporary Protection StatusUnexpired Foreign Passport
    I-766 with Category Codes C09, C10, C18, & A11Proof of Pending Application to Adjust Status - I-797C Notice of Action (dated within the last 5 years) with Case Types I-485, NACARA or Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR 42B). In some cases other documentation issued by USCIS, DHS, or other Federal agencies may be acceptable to demonstrate lawful status as defined by 6 C.F.R. 37.3 and as determined by USCIS.
    I-551 or I551 Stamp with Photo on I-94 formNot Required
    I-551 StampUnexpired Foreign Passport