Just Moved to Maryland? Two Proofs of Address the MVA Accepts

November 1, 2026

Illustrated street with moving boxes, a parked car, a document folder with a check mark and a license card

Short answer: to get a Maryland driver’s license, the MVA asks you to bring two documents with your name and Maryland residential address printed on them. They need to be originals dated within the past 12 months, and the name has to match your identity document.

Our tip: after a move, these are often the easiest to get:

  • Your lease (MVA calls it a residential rental contract)
  • A utility or phone bill, or other mail about your account
  • A bank, credit card or other financial account statement
  • An insurance card or insurance policy

MVA accepts 21 kinds of documents in all (full list below). If nothing has your name on it yet, Maryland’s regulation has exceptions for people living with a parent, guardian or spouse, and a few other situations.

Last checked November 1, 2026, against MVA’s license page and Maryland’s regulations (sources at the bottom). Kalm Kode is an independent guide, not the MVA. We can’t book appointments or promise that MVA will accept a document.

The 30-second version

Two proofs of Maryland address. Two different documents: each shows your name and Maryland residential address. Dated within 12 months: MVA’s Document Selector says no documents more than a year old. Name matches your ID: the same name as your proof of identity. Address matches your application. Originals only: no copies, scans or photocopies; the exception is a tax return copy under Maryland’s regulation. Our tip: after a move, these are often the easiest to get: your lease, a utility or phone bill, a bank or credit card statement, or an insurance card or policy.
Five rules cover most of it.
  • Bring two different documents. Each one needs your name and your Maryland residential address printed on it.
  • MVA’s Document Selector says they should be dated within the past 12 months.
  • The name must match the name on your proof of identity.
  • The address must match the Maryland address on your MVA application.
  • Bring originals. MVA says copies, scans and photocopies won’t be accepted. The one exception is a tax return copy (see Step 3).

Step 1: Pick two from MVA’s list

What MVA accepts: pick any two of these 21. Home: residential rental contract (lease); mortgage account statement or other proof of home ownership; property tax bill or receipt; residential service contract. Bills and accounts: utility communications about your account; telephone or cell communications about your account; cable or satellite TV communications about your account; checking, savings, financial account or collection agency communications; credit card statement; loan document from a bank or other financial institution; insurance card or insurance policy; medical or hospital bill. Government: mail or benefits statement from a federal, state or local agency; Maryland vehicle registration card or vehicle title; voter registration card; Selective Service card; copy of a federal or Maryland income tax return filing; sales tax or business license; valid Maryland state-issued professional license. School: U.S. college or university communications or mail; U.S. high school report card or transcript. The regulation says the tax return copy must be no more than 18 months old, with proof of filing.
MVA’s 21 accepted document types, grouped.

MVA’s license page lists 21 document types. We’ve grouped them so they’re easier to scan:

Home

  • Residential rental contract (your lease)
  • Mortgage account statement or other proof of home ownership
  • Property tax bill or receipt
  • Residential service contract

Bills and accounts

  • Utility communications about your account
  • Telephone or cell communications about your account
  • Cable or satellite TV communications about your account
  • Checking, savings, financial account or collection agency communications
  • Credit card statement
  • Loan document from a bank or other financial institution
  • Insurance card or insurance policy
  • Medical or hospital bill

Government

  • Mail or benefits statement from a federal, state or local government agency
  • Maryland vehicle registration card or vehicle title
  • Voter registration card
  • Selective Service card
  • Copy of a federal or Maryland income tax return filing
  • Sales tax or business license
  • Valid Maryland state-issued professional license

School

  • U.S. college or university communications or mail
  • U.S. high school report card or transcript

Step 2: Check the name and address

MVA says the name on your address documents must match the name on your proof of age and identity. If your name changed, for example after marriage, a bill in your new name won’t match a passport in your old name. Bring your name-change document too. Maryland’s regulation accepts an original or certified copy of a marriage certificate, divorce decree or birth certificate, or a certified copy of a court order.

Maryland’s regulation also says the address on your documents must match the address on your application. Mail that still goes to your old out-of-state address won’t count.

Step 3: Bring originals

MVA’s page says “originals only” and that copies, scans and photocopies won’t be accepted. Plan on paper.

Two things the page doesn’t spell out:

  • Paperless accounts. MVA’s page doesn’t say whether a printout of an online statement counts. If all your accounts are paperless, our tip is to ask a company to mail you a paper statement, or check with MVA before your visit.
  • Tax returns. MVA’s list includes a “copy” of a federal or Maryland income tax return filing, even though the page also says copies aren’t accepted. Maryland’s regulation adds that the tax return copy must be no more than 18 months old, with proof of filing. MVA’s Document Selector, though, says address documents should be dated within the past 12 months. If your return is 12 to 18 months old, confirm with MVA before relying on it.

Nothing in your own name yet?

Nothing in your own name? Maryland’s regulation has exceptions. Living with a parent, guardian or someone you depend on: a dependent under 21 needs a residence certification for their parent or guardian, signed in front of an MVA representative, plus that person’s Maryland license or ID; a dependent 21 or older needs the same for the person they live with, plus proof of dependency. Living with your adult spouse: their statement, signed in front of an MVA representative, and their Maryland license or ID; different last names, add an original or certified marriage certificate, or tax filings. Staying at a shelter or with a service provider: an original letter on their letterhead saying you’re homeless, with their address, contact and signature. Living in a nursing home: a letter on the facility’s letterhead with your full name and date of birth, its address, a contact person and phone number, and a manager’s or representative’s signature. MVA decides: these come from Maryland’s regulation; confirm with MVA before your visit.
From Maryland’s source document exception rules. MVA makes the call.

New to the state and living with family? Maryland’s regulation (COMAR 11.17.09.05) lists alternatives MVA “may accept” when you can’t get documents in your own name for reasons beyond your control:

  • A dependent under 21 living with a parent or guardian: a residence certification signed in front of an MVA representative, plus your parent’s or guardian’s valid Maryland license or ID.
  • A dependent 21 or older living with someone you depend on: a residence certification for that person, signed in front of an MVA representative, plus proof you depend on them and their valid Maryland license or ID.
  • Living with your adult spouse: a statement from your adult spouse, signed in front of an MVA representative, plus their valid Maryland license or ID. If your last names differ, add an original or certified copy of your marriage certificate, or tax filings.
  • Staying at a shelter or with a service provider: an original letter on their letterhead saying you’re homeless, with the facility’s address, a contact name and phone number, and a representative’s signature.
  • Living in a nursing home: a letter on the facility’s letterhead with your full name and date of birth, the home’s address, a contact person and phone number, and a manager’s or representative’s signature.

The regulation also covers people who are incarcerated or were released within the last 60 days and young people in the care of the Department of Juvenile Services. Because MVA “may accept” these, it’s MVA’s decision, and MVA’s license page doesn’t list them. Confirm with MVA before your visit.

Common mistakes

  • Bringing photocopies or scans instead of originals
  • Bringing only one document
  • Documents more than a year old
  • Documents in two different names, such as one in a maiden name
  • Mail that still shows your old out-of-state address
  • A document whose name doesn’t match your passport, birth certificate or other proof of identity

Next steps

  1. Run our free Maryland license-transfer readiness check. It sorts what you still need to get, what to bring and what to confirm with MVA.
  2. Use MVA’s Document Selector to pick your exact documents and print your summary.
  3. Start your Pre-Application on MyMVA: New to Maryland/New to Country, then Driver’s License Only, then Begin Your Pre-App. Bringing a car? MVA lists a combined Driver’s License, Title, and Registration appointment on its New Maryland Residents page.

MVA says to get your Maryland license within 60 days of becoming a resident, so it’s worth gathering these early.

FAQ

Does my lease count as proof of address?
Yes. MVA’s list includes a “residential rental contract.” It still needs your name and your Maryland address.

Can I use two statements from the same company?
Maryland’s regulation asks for “two different source documents.” Two separate kinds of document, like a lease and a utility bill, is the safe choice. If you want to use two statements from one company, ask MVA first.

How recent do the documents need to be?
MVA’s Document Selector says proof of address should be dated within the past 12 months, and that MVA won’t accept documentation more than one year old. Maryland’s regulation separately allows a tax return copy up to 18 months old, with proof of filing. If your return is 12 to 18 months old, confirm with MVA before relying on it.

Can I show a statement on my phone?
Plan on paper. MVA asks for originals, says copies and scans won’t be accepted, and doesn’t mention digital documents.

I live with my parents and nothing has my name on it. What now?
Maryland’s regulation has exceptions, including a residence certification with your parent’s or guardian’s Maryland license or ID. See “Nothing in your own name yet?” above, and confirm with MVA before you go.

Is proof of address the only thing I need?
No. MVA also asks for proof of identity, proof of your Social Security number and a vision screening, plus your current license. Our readiness check walks through all of it.

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Official sources

Checked November 1, 2026:

Rules and lists change. If anything here doesn’t match what MVA tells you, go with MVA, and message us at @kalmkode so we can update this guide.