Department of Transportation

Effective March 5, 2012, the state Department of Transportation (DOT) and all county driver license offices implemented Act 38, Session Laws of Hawaii 2010, which affected driver licensing requirements statewide. On September 4, 2013, notification was received from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that specified Hawaii implemented a program that met the standards of the REAL ID Act and therefore received the Department of Homeland Security’s “Final Determination of Full Compliance.” Following are answers to frequently asked questions about the changes in how Hawaii REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses, instruction permits, commercial driver’s licenses and provisional driver’s licenses are issued.

For information on non-REAL ID compliant driver’s license, instruction permit, and provisional driver’s license, please refer to the Information and Frequently Asked Questions on limited purpose driving credentials.

Anyone applying for a REAL ID compliant Hawaii driver’s license or instruction permit for the first time must present in-person documentary proof of legal name, date of birth, social security number, legal presence and Hawaii principal residence address. Listed below are links to the driver’s license issuing locations for each county and their contact information:

County DMV Offices and Contact Information

DOCUMENTARY PROOF REQUIREMENTS AFFECT EVERYONE APPLYING FOR A REAL ID COMPLIANT (STAR) HAWAII DRIVER’S LICENSE OR INSTRUCTION PERMIT

Documentary proof affects everyone applying for a REAL ID compliant Hawaii instruction permit, provisional driver’s license and driver’s license, including United States (U.S.) citizens and foreign-born applicants. The documentary proof also applies to anyone who has just moved to Hawaii from another state or country, and anyone renewing their Hawaii driver’s license or instruction permit. A REAL ID compliant card may be issued when all documentation requirements are met. The REAL ID compliant card will allow the cardholder to use the Hawaii driver’s license or instruction permit as a form of identification accepted by the DHS’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and other security personnel at airports, other ports of entry and Federal installations requiring a REAL ID credential.

A REAL ID compliant Hawaii instruction permit, provisional driver’s license and driver’s license requires documentary proof of legal name, date of birth, social security number, legal presence and Hawaii principal residence address from:

• Applicants applying for a REAL ID compliant Hawaii instruction permit, provisional driver’s license or driver’s license for the first-time.

Anyone who has never held a Hawaii driver’s license or instruction permit, must apply in-person and provide documentary proof of legal name, date of birth, social security number, legal presence and Hawaii principal residence address. A photograph must also be taken.

Full names on all documents must be the same or you must provide “connecting documents” to establish the link between the names of any documents that have different names. For social security number documents, a middle name (and suffix) are not considered a part of the legal name and can be abbreviated, omitted or misspelled. Refer to the section titled List of Acceptable Connecting Documents To Prove Legal Name Changes. Click here to view and print the document guide. If you need a Social Security card, visit: http//www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm.

• Applicants renewing their REAL ID compliant Hawaii instruction permit, provisional driver’s license or driver’s license.

Applicants with temporary legal presence in the U.S. must renew your Hawaii instruction permit, provisional driver’s license and driver’s license in-person at the county DMV office and present documentary proof of continued legal presence.

Applicants who are U.S. citizens and immigrants admitted with permanent residence status in the U.S., and have previously presented documents to prove legal name, date of birth, social security number, legal presence and Hawaii principal residence address and were issued a REAL ID compliant instruction permit, provisional driver’s license or driver’s license are not required to present documentary proof again, unless any information on these documents have changed. However, a new photograph must be taken in-person by DMV staff at renewal, no less frequently than every sixteen years or at the time of application prior to when the sixteenth year falls within the term of the driving credential mentioned above.

Full names on all documents must be the same or you must provide “connecting documents” to establish the link between the names of any documents that have different names. For social security number documents, a middle name (and suffix) are not considered a part of the legal name and can be abbreviated, omitted or misspelled. Refer to the section titled List of Acceptable Connecting Documents To Prove Legal Name Changes. Click here to view and print the document guide.

• Applicants applying for a duplicate Hawaii driver’s license or permit who are U.S. citizens and immigrants admitted for permanent residence status in the U.S.

• Persons who are authorized by the federal government to be present temporarily in the U.S. will be issued a limited term driver’s license or permit with a reduced expiration duration.

• I am temporarily authorized to be in the U.S. How often will I have to present documentary proof of legal name, date of birth, social security number, legal presence and Hawaii principal residence address?

Applicants who are temporarily authorized to be in the U.S. are required to present in-person documentary proof a legal name, date of birth, social security number (if applicable), legal presence, and Hawaii principal residence address when applying for an initial Hawaii driver’s license, instruction permit, or provisional driver’s license.

Applicants who are temporarily authorized to be in the U.S. are required to present in-person documentary proof of continued legal presence when applying for a renewal or duplicate of a Hawaii driver’s license, instruction permit, or provisional driver’s license.

• I am temporarily authorized to be in the U.S. Can I renew my driver’s license and instruction permit by mail?

No. You must renew in-person at a county DMV office and present documentary proof of continued legal presence.

• Once I have provided all required documentation, will I need to provide this documentation at the time of my next renewal?

Applicants who are U.S. citizens and immigrants admitted for permanent residence status in the U.S. will not be required to provide documentary proof of legal name, date of birth, social security number, legal presence and Hawaii principal residence address at renewal.

However, applicants that have any changes to any personally identifiable information (such as a change in name) that is printed on the driver’s license since their last card was issued will be required to present in-person documentary proof of such changes. Any change to the Hawaii principal residence address should be submitted as well.

Full names on all documents must be the same or you must provide “connecting documents” to establish the link between the names of any documents that have different names. Refer to the section titled List of Acceptable Connecting Documents To Prove Legal Name Changes. Click here to view and print the document guide.

• I lost my driver’s license and I would like to apply for a duplicate. Am I required to present documentary proof of legal name, date of birth, social security number, legal presence and Hawaii principal residence address?

If you are temporarily authorized to be in the U.S. you are required to present proof of legal presence in-person.

Documentary proof is not required for U.S. citizens or those with permanent residence status.

However, any changes to your personally identifiable information shown on the card, except for Hawaii principal residence address, will require documentary proof to be presented in-person. A driver’s license will be reissued with the updated information.

You may apply for a duplicate driver’s license by mail if you are an U.S. citizen or have permanent residence status.

If you are temporarily authorized to be in the U.S. you are required to present proof of legal presence in-person.

Any changes to your personally identifiable information shown on the card, except for Hawaii principal residence address, will require documentary proof to be presented in-person. A driver’s license will be reissued with the updated information.

• Can I mail in my documents so they can be reviewed and approved prior to my renewal of my driver’s license?

• If the documents I submit at the time of renewal are not acceptable, will I be provided with more information on other documents that you will accept?

• I will be renewing my Hawaii driver’s license soon. I was born at home and do not have a birth certificate. I have no living relative to confirm who I am. Can I provide something else?

Documentary proof of legal name, date of birth, social security number, legal presence and principal residence address must be, or have been, established in order to process your driver’s license renewal application.

A Hawaii driver’s license may be renewed as early as six months before its expiration date. Therefore, it is recommended that you give yourself sufficient time to renew within the six month period before your Hawaii driver’s license expires. There are other legal documents you may have that your county DMV may accept in lieu of your birth certificate. Please contact your county DMV office for further information. Click here to see county contacts in the INTRODUCTION section.

• My Hawaii birth certificate shows my birth name and my current Hawaii driver’s license shows my married name. Am I required to present additional proof of legal name?

Yes. You are required to present an original or certified copy of your certificate of marriage or other connecting legal document to show your name(s) has changed from your birth name to your current legal name. Your Hawaii birth certificate will prove your legal name (at birth) and your certificate of marriage (or other legal name change document) will establish your name change from your birth name to your married name that will appear on your Hawaii driver’s license.

Full names on all documents must be the same or you must provide “connecting documents” to establish the link between the names of any documents that have different names. Refer to the section titled List of Acceptable Connecting Documents To Prove Legal Name Changes. Click here to view and print the document guide.

Documents presented in-person for proof of legal name, date of birth, social security number, legal presence, and Hawaii principal residence address must be valid originals or certified copies. Notarized copies or faxes are not acceptable as proof for certified copies.

Please refer to Acceptable Documents For A REAL ID Compliant (Star) Hawaii Driver’s License, Instruction Permit, Provisional Driver’s License. Click here to view and print the document guide.

• My father was in the military and I was born out of country. I lost my documents verifying birth abroad and do not have a U.S. passport. What can I bring in to prove I am a U.S. citizen and to prove my identity?

Please refer to Acceptable Documents For A REAL ID Compliant (Star) Hawaii Driver’s License, Instruction Permit, Provisional Driver’s License. Click here to view and print the document guide or contact your county DMV office. Click here to go to their contact info in INTRODUCTION for further assistance.

• My documents are very old, delicate and difficult to read. Should I bring those documents in to prove my identity?

Yes. Present the documents you have. Your county DMV representative will carefully review your documents to determine acceptability and provide you with further assistance as needed.

• My U.S. birth certificate was obtained the year after I was born. Is it acceptable as proof of my identify?

State certified copies of birth certificates are accepted as documentary proof of legal name (identity).

• I want to submit my State certified birth certificate for proof of legal name, date of birth and legal presence. The names on my social security card and my out-of-state driver’s license match. The name on my State certified birth certificate is different from the name on the out-of-state driver’s license. Will this be sufficient?

The name on the document(s) you present for proof of legal name, date of birth, and legal presence must match. In this scenario, you will be required to present documentary proof of a legal name change from your birth name to the name on your out-of-state driver’s license. Your legal name is required to be shown on your Hawaii driver’s license.

• Immigration has acknowledged receipt of my application. I am still waiting for my immigration documents to be processed. How will my pending status affect my eligibility to obtain a Hawaii driver’s license or instruction permit?

• I was born in a foreign country and am adopted by my parents who are U.S. citizens. What documents do I need to prove legal name, date of birth and legal status in order to obtain a Hawaii driver’s license or instruction permit?

You will need to provide your immigration documents, i.e., U.S. passport, immigrant visa, green card, or certificate of citizenship, etc. In addition, you will be required to provide proof of your social security number and Hawaii principal residence address.

• I am a foreign born applicant holding a valid Hawaii driver’s license. I also own a business in the U.S. (mainland). Can I renew my Hawaii driver’s license by mail?

No. You must renew in-person and present documentary proof of continued legal presence. In addition, documentation must be submitted if there is any change of the Hawaii principal residence address.

• What is the validity period of a Hawaii driver’s license for individuals temporarily authorized to be in the U.S.?

The Hawaii driver’s license of individuals temporarily authorized to be in the U.S. will be valid for their verified length of legal stay up to the maximum period pursuant to state law. If the expiration date shown on the document used to prove legal presence cannot be verified electronically or through other approved means, the driver’s license will be valid for no longer than one year.

• What if I do not have all of the documents needed to obtain my Hawaii driver’s license or instruction permit?

Carefully review Acceptable Documents For A REAL ID Compliant (Star) Hawaii Driver’s License, Instruction Permit, Provisional Driver’s License. Click here to view and print the document guide. If you do not have any of the documents mentioned, please contact your county DMV office. Click here to see their contact information (in INTRODUCTION section) for further assistance. They will work with you on identifying other documents that may satisfy the missing required documents.

• What if I already have a valid (unexpired) REAL ID compliant Hawaii State Identification Card, but also want a REAL ID compliant Hawaii driver’s license?

You are allowed to hold only one REAL ID compliant credential. You may elect to designate your Hawaii State Identification card as the REAL ID compliant credential and apply for a limited-purpose driver’s license or instruction permit. Please read the information on obtaining a limited-purpose driver’s license, provisional license or instruction permit. Limited Purpose DL link: https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/files/2019/11/Limited-Purpose-DL-Info-and-FAQ-Pamphlet-2019-11-13.pdf

If you elect to have your driver’s license as the REAL ID compliant card, you will be required to surrender your REAL ID compliant Hawaii State Identification Card. No refund or proration for the unused term will be given.

• Will my REAL ID compliant Hawaii driver’s license or instruction permit be accepted by airport security (TSA) or federal facilities if it does not have a star on it?

The Department of Homeland Security has informed all states that they will begin full enforcement of REAL ID credentials on October 1, 2021. This would result in TSA and other security personnel at federal facilities accepting as identification only REAL ID compliant cards with the approved star-marking to board a domestic aircraft or enter a federal facility. Click here for a list of valid identification documentation accepted by TSA airport checkpoints.

• My Hawaii driver’s license renewal date is not until after October 1, 2021. I expect to fly to the mainland or another island on or after October 1, 2021 and before I renew my driver’s license. I remember submitting required documents at my last renewal. How do I obtain a REAL ID compliant Hawaii driver’s license with the star-marking?

You may visit your county DMV office prior to October 1, 2021 and apply for a duplicate Hawaii driver’s license with the star-marking and pay the appropriate duplicate card fee. The county DMV staff will verify that you have presented all the required documents to qualify for the card with the star marking. Be aware that the driver’s license card may take up to 6 to 8 weeks to be delivered.