Your U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, voter or automobile registration or rent, utility, mortgage, and telephone bills all provide tangible proof of Hawaii residence—but individual public or private agencies or institutions may have their own requirements.

If you’re looking to get a Hawaii driver’s license, you’ll need to prove that you are a permanent resident of The Aloha State. While the Hawaii government requires you to prove who you are with documents like a U.S. passport or birth certificate, you’ll also have to provide documents that verify your legal address in the state.

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What documents can be used as proof of residency in Hawaii?

To obtain a Hawaii driver’s license or REAL ID, you’ll need to prove to the Secretary of State that you’re a legal resident of Hawaii. The accepted identification documents fall into five categories:

Group 1: Legal presence (ex. U.S. birth certification or passport, birth abroad certificate of citizenship, or certificate of naturalization)

Group 2: Legal name (ex., birth certificate, adoption records, or U.S. passport)

Group 3: Date of birth (ex., birth certificate, adoption records, or U.S. passport)

Group 4: Social Security Number (ex., SSN card, W-2 form, or 1099 form)

Group 5: Residency (ex., vehicle registration or title, utility bill, or bank statement)

For anyone applying for an ID for the first time, you’ll need to provide one document from groups 1, 2, 3, and 4. You’ll need two documents from different entities or accounts to prove your principal residence. These requirements apply to all forms of identification.

Also, remember that all documents presented for proof must be unexpired, valid originals or certified copies. Photocopied or expired documents will not be accepted.

For more details, here’s a complete list of

acceptable documents

for a Hawaii driver’s license, a REAL ID, instruction permit, a provisional driver’s license, or a Hawaii state ID card.

MORE:

Cost of living in Hawaii

What documents do not qualify as proof of Hawaii residency?

There’s a pretty lengthy list of acceptable documents that can be used to prove Hawaii residency, but not every document with your Hawaii mailing address will cut it. Although the Hawaii government doesn’t publish an official list of unacceptable documents, the following documents generally can’t be used for the legal proof of residency requirement:

Bond receipt

Business card

Check cashing card

Club or fraternal organization membership card

College or university ID card

Unofficial (i.e., commercially produced) ID card

Department of Human Services (DHS) card

Fishing license

Handwritten ID or employment card

Hunting license

Instruction permit or receipt

International driving permit

Library card

Personal mail

Ticket from a traffic citation or arrest

Loan papers from an unlicensed financial institution

Video club membership card

Wallet ID

What qualifies for proof of identity in Hawaii?

Proof of identity in Hawaii is separated into three categories: Legal name (Group 2), date of birth (Group 3), and Social Security Number (Group 4). Here are the documents that qualify for each:

Group 2: U.S. State or Local Government issued Birth Certificate or Record of Birth, U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card, U.S. State or Local Government issued Consular Report of Birth Abroad, certificate of citizenship (N-560 or N-561), or certificate of naturalization (N-550 or N-570)

Group 3: U.S. State or Local Government issued Birth Certificate or Record of Birth, U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card, U.S. State or Local Government issued Consular Report of Birth Abroad, certificate of citizenship (N-560 or N-561), or certificate of naturalization (N-550 or N-570)

Group 4: Social Security card, W-2 form, paycheck including your complete full name and complete SSN, or 1099 form

Any document used for group 4 must be a valid original or certified copy, unexpired, and have the entire Social Security Number printed on the document.

MORE:

Homeowners insurance in Hawaii

How to save on Hawaii car insurance costs

Whether you’re a first-time applicant for a Hawaii driver’s license or looking to update your current address, you may want to take a minute to update your car insurance policy. While rates in Hawaii may not be as steep as some of their mountains, it never hurts to swap policies to save money.

And when you shop with

Jerry

, the

trusted insurance comparison app

, it’s completely stress-free—just like life in The Aloha State! Sign up in less than 45 seconds and browse customized quotes from over 55 top insurance providers specific to your driving profile. If you find a rate better than your current policy, a Jerry expert will get you switched over in no time—no phone calls, emails, or paperwork.

Best of all, the average Jerry user saves over $800 a year on car insurance!

“
Jerry
had a super simple app that was easy to navigate. And their terrific customer service made everything even easier. Plus I saved $700 in a single year.” —Lucia M.