While most people use these common secondary documents to verify their identity, we understand you may not have those documents. This article outlines alternative secondary documents you can use instead.
Keep in mind, scans (color or black and white), photocopies, and PDFs are acceptable, unless noted otherwise.
The other secondary documents you can use include:
Utility and other bills
Document | Requirements and tips |
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Cable or internet bill |
First and last name, your current address, cable/internet provider’s name, and at least the last four digits of your identification, account, card, or customer number. You must submit an official statement or bill. We do not accept letters, notifications, or other informal communications. Your statement or bill’s due date cannot be from more than one year ago. Tips:
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Medical bill |
First and last name, your current address, Medical provider’s name, and at least the last four digits of your identification, account, card, guarantor, invoice, or customer number. You must submit an official statement or bill. We do not accept explanations of benefits, insurance applications, or other informal communications. Your statement or bill’s due date cannot be from more than one year ago and must be issued or sent from your medical provider. Tips:
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Phone bill |
First and last name, your current address, phone company’s name, and at least the last four digits of your identification, account, card, or customer number. You must submit an official statement or bill from your phone company. We do not accept letters, notifications, or other informal communications. Your statement or bill’s due date cannot be from more than one year ago. Tips:
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Water bill |
First and last name, your current address, utility company’s name, and at least the last four digits of your identification, account, card, or customer number. You must submit an official statement or bill from your water utility company. We do not accept letters, notifications, or other informal communications. Your statement or bill’s due date cannot be from more than one year ago. Tips:
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Gas bill |
First and last name, your current address, utility company’s name, and at least the last four digits of your identification, account, card, or customer number. You must submit an official statement or bill from your gas utility company. We do not accept letters, notifications, or other informal communications. Your statement or bill’s due date cannot be from more than one year ago. Tips:
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Tax documents
Document | Requirements and tips |
---|---|
CP565 notice |
First and last name and your full Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Scans (color or black and white) and PDFs are acceptable. |
Non SSA-1099 form |
First and last name and your address.
Note: We also accept 1099-DIV, 1099-MISC, etc.
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SSA-1099 form |
First and last name and your address.
Note: We also accept 1099-SM,1099-R-OP1, etc.
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1098 form |
First and last name and your address. For tax forms, they must include the last four digits of your Social Security Number or full SSN if being used to verify SSN.
Note: We also accept forms 1098-C, 1098-E, 1098-F, 1098-MA, 1098-T, 1098-Q, Form 480.6, 480.7, etc.
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Auto and auto insurance cards
Document | Requirements and tips |
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Vehicle Registration / Title |
First and last name and name of the issuing organization (e.g. DMV). It must include “Registration” or “Title”. |
Auto insurance card |
First and last name, auto insurance provider name, valid expiration date, and at least four digits of identification, account, card, policy or customer number.
Note: Acceptable variation includes temporary evidence of insurance.
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Auto or home insurance statement |
First and last name, insurance provider name, at least the last four digits of your identification, account, card, policy, or customer number, and a valid expiration date (if included).
Note: Temporary evidence of insurance is acceptable.
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Military documents
Document | Requirements and tips |
---|---|
DOD certificate of discharge or release |
First and last name, date of birth, and full Social Security number. Scans (color or black and white), photocopies, and PDFs are acceptable.
Note: We also accept Release DD-214, DD-256 or NGB-22.
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Selective Service registration document |
First and last name, Selective Service number, Full SSN / TIN, current address. Scans (color or black and white), photocopies, and PDFs are acceptable. |
Education records
Document | Requirements and tips |
---|---|
College or university student photo ID |
First and last name, name of the educational institution you attend, and your student ID number or photo. Scans (color or black and white), photocopies, and PDFs are acceptable.
Note: It must be from the current academic year.
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College or university transcript |
First and last name, name of the educational institution you attend, and your date of birth or Student ID number.
Note: It can be from the current or previous academic year.
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Birth records
Document | Requirements and tips |
---|---|
Consular report of birth abroad |
First and last name and date of birth. It must also have an official seal/stamp. Color scans and PDFs are acceptable. |
U.S. DHS Certification of Birth Abroad (FS-545) |
First and last name and date of birth. It must be issued by the U.S. Department of State. Color scans and PDFs are acceptable. |
U.S. DoS certification of report of birth |
First and last name and date of birth. It must be issued by the U.S. Department of State. Color scans and PDFs are acceptable. |
Government IDs
Document | Requirements and tips |
---|---|
U.S. Citizen ID card form |
First and last name, identification number, and photo. It must be issued from the United States Department of Justice or Immigration and Naturalization Services. |
U.S. Coast Guard merchant mariner card |
First and last name, date of birth, photo, and valid expiration date. |
Canadian Indian and Northern affairs card |
First and last name, date of birth, and valid expiration date. |
Proof of residency
Document | Requirements and tips |
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Voter registration card or certificate (U.S. or U.S. Territory) |
First and last name, the issuing authority’s name, your voter number or photo (except for the state of Indiana), and a valid expiration date, if applicable. Tips:
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Letter attesting state residency |
First and last name, the institution or agency name, and a staff member’s name or signature.
Tip: To learn more, visit Requesting a letter to prove state residency.
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Other documents
Document | Requirements and tips |
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Border crossing card |
First and last name, the issuing authority’s name, your voter number or photo (except for the state of Indiana), and a valid expiration date, if applicable. Tips:
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Native American tribal document |
First and last name, the institution or agency name, and a staff member’s name or signature.
Tip: To learn more, visit Requesting a letter to prove state residency.
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipient certification |
First and last name. Tips:
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Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Puerto Rico recipient certification |
First and last name, date of birth, and a seal of the government of Puerto Rico.
Note: The title of the document may be "Certificacion Negativa de Caso de Pension Alimentaria".
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