CA DMV ID card (DL 44) — counter cheat sheet + DL 933 fee waiver

Identity-document recovery: prepares your answers for the pink DL 44 form at the DMV counter, plus the DL 933 no-fee ID waiver

Audience · Adults applying for a California ID card or driver license — especially anyone who has lost their ID and needs to recover one. Pairs with DL 933 fee waiver for unhoused applicants.Time · ~8 min

Find on the resource map (2 places) →

1Fill it out
2Review
3Sign
4Download

Why a CA ID?

What do you need the ID for?

Driver license = REAL ID upgrade required for domestic flights after May 2025. Non-driver ID = same REAL ID option.

Card type

REAL ID upgrade?

REAL ID required for domestic flights and federal facilities. Requires more documentation (passport OR birth cert + SSN proof + 2 proofs of residency).

CA ID history

Have you ever had a California ID or driver license?

Have you ever had an ID or license from another U.S. state?

If yes, list the state. DMV will surrender prior out-of-state IDs as part of the transfer.

Identity — answers for the pink DL 44 form

These are the answers you'll copy onto the DL 44 form at the DMV counter. SSN is NOT collected here — you write it on the form at the counter and DMV verifies with your physical SSN card or W-2.

Full legal name (exactly as on your birth cert / passport)

Date of birth

Place of birth (city, state/country)

Eye color

Hair color

Height (feet)

Height (inches)

Weight (lbs)

Sex marker (M/F/X)

DMV accepts M, F, or X (nonbinary) per AB 179.

Address

Residence address (where you actually sleep)

If you're escaping abuse or unsafe at your current address, ask the partner where you'll submit this form whether you can use a safe-address (FJC, library, or partner agency). We won't track which address you used.

How we handle addresses →

Unhoused: shelter address OK with permission. Use the DMV's Address Confidentiality Program if you are a DV survivor — your navigator will route you to a local domestic-violence agency first.

Mailing address (if different — e.g., P.O. Box or general delivery)

How we handle addresses →

Address situation

DL 933 fee waiver eligibility

If you are currently experiencing homelessness, you can get the ID card for free by attaching a signed DL 933 (No-Fee ID Card Eligibility Verification). A Guardian navigator can sign this for you.

Do you want to request the DL 933 fee waiver?

Which organization will sign the DL 933? (if known)

Example: 'Guardians of the AV' or a local shelter or services provider. The navigator's full credentials go on the printed DL 933.

Identity-document checklist (what to bring)

DO NOT upload these — bring the physical documents to the DMV. This section just confirms you know what to bring.

Do you have your birth certificate?

Do you have your SSN card or a W-2 (for REAL ID)?

Two proofs of residency (OR signed DL 933)

Examples: utility bill, lease, bank statement, school enrollment letter, government mail. DL 933 substitutes for both proofs when signed by a homeless-services provider.

Anything else?

Any extra context for the DMV counter or navigator

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