Photo ID Requirements

Individuals

If you are applying for a title with standard initial registration or, renewing your vehicle registration on or after Jan. 1, 2027, as an individual resident of Texas, your identification must meet the ID requirements listed under the “Documentation of Identification and Legal Eligibility for Texas Residency” tab, unless otherwise stated in this document.  

If you buy a vehicle from a Texas dealer, provide the dealer with your identification. Licensed Texas dealers, generally, must apply for title and initial registration for you. 

If you buy a vehicle from a private seller, bring your identification, all required application documents, and fees to the county tax assessor-collector’s office. To avoid penalties, you must apply for a new title and registration within 30 days of the date of sale.  

If the vehicle will be titled in more than one name, only one owner needs to provide the required identification. A vehicle titled in more than one name can be registered by either owner without the other owner showing ID, as long as the owner registering the vehicle presents identification that meets the ID requirements listed under the “Documentation of Identification and Legal Eligibility for Texas Residency” tab. 

If you are applying for Title Only (No Registration), an Off-Highway vehicle (Titled without Registration), or applying to title a vehicle that will be registered under IRP (Apportioned Registration), your photo ID presented must meet the ID requirements under the “Basic Documentation for Identification Only” tab.

Businesses and Organizations

Additional identification rules apply when titling or registering a vehicle in the name of a business or organization.  

An employee or authorized agent who titles a vehicle for a leasing company, government entity, organization, or business must provide one acceptable form of photo identification listed under the “Basic Documentation for Identification Only” tab, plus one of the following: 

• The employee’s or authorized agent’s employee identification,
• A letter of authorization on the employer’s official letterhead, or 
• An official business card that shows both the employer and employee’s name

Employees or authorized agents registering a vehicle owned by a business entity that is required to pay registration fees must provide the same documentation listed above for titling. However, no identification is required to register vehicles that are exempt from registration fees because they are owned by government, certain non-profit organizations, religious organizations, emergency medical services providers, and nonprofit food banks.

Vehicles registered under IRP (Apportioned Registration) must meet separate identity and registration requirements. Visit Apportioned Registration | TxDMV.gov for more information.

Power of Attorney

If you are using a Power of Attorney (POA), you must provide the POA along with:

• Identification for the grantor (the person granting the POA), and
• Identification for the grantee (the person being granted the POA). 

The type of identification needed for both the grantor and grantee depends on the type of registration.  

Lists of acceptable identification documents can be found under the “Basic Documentation for Identification Only” or “Documentation of Identification and Legal Eligibility for Texas Residency” tabs.

Trusts

If you are applying for a title and initial registration in the name of a trust, you must present the trustee’s identification. The trustee’s ID must meet the requirements listed under the “Basic Documentation for Identification Only” tab. 

Note: The title application must also include a properly completed original or certified copy of an Affidavit of Trust or Statement of Fact for a Trust.

Commercial or Agricultural Registration

If you are applying for one of the registration types listed below, your photo ID presented must meet the ID requirements under the “Basic Documentation for Identification Only” tab: