Do You Need A Birth Certificate To Register To Vote

Nov eight, 2022 is the Full general Election
Last day to annals to vote is Oct 11, 2022

Identification Requirements for Voting

Under Texas police force, voters who possess one of the seven adequate forms of photo ID must nowadays that ID at the polls when voting in person. Voters who practice not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the seven canonical forms of photo ID may fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration (RID) (PDF) at the polls and nowadays an alternative form of ID, such as a utility bill, bank statement, government check, or a voter registration certificate.

Vote Ready (PDF)

Here is a listing of the acceptable forms of photo ID:

Texas Driver License issued past the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
United States Military Identification Bill of fare containing the person'due south photo
United States Citizenship Document containing the person'southward photo
United States Passport (book or card)

With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Document, which does not expire, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired no more than four years before beingness presented for voter qualification at the polling place. For voters anile 70 or older, the acceptable grade of photo identification may be expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid.
Ballot Identification Certificates are available from DPS commuter license offices during regular business concern hours. Find mobile station locations here.

Here is a list of the supporting forms of ID that can be presented if the voter does non possess one of the forms of acceptable photo ID and cannot reasonably obtain 1:

copy or original of a regime certificate that shows the voter'due south name and an accost, including the voter'south voter registration certificate;
copy of or original electric current utility beak;
copy of or original banking concern statement;
copy of or original government check;
copy of or original paycheck; or
copy of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) nascency document or (b) a document confirming birth open-door in a court of police force which establishes the voter'southward identity (which may include a foreign birth document).

After presenting one of the forms of supporting ID listed above, the voter must execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.

Procedures for Voting

When a voter arrives at a polling location, the voter will be asked to present i of the seven (7) acceptable forms of photo ID that is current or, for voters anile xviii-69, expired no more four years. Voters anile seventy or older may present i of the seven (seven) acceptable forms of photo ID that is expired for any length of time that is otherwise valid. If a voter does not possess ane of the seven (7) acceptable forms of photo ID and cannot reasonably obtain one, the voter may present a supporting course of ID and execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration, noting the voter's reasonable impediment to obtaining an acceptable form of photo identification, stating that the information contained in the declaration is true, that the voter is the aforementioned individual personally actualization at the polling place to sign the annunciation, and that the voter faces a reasonable impediment to procuring an acceptable form of photo identification.

Election officials are however required past Country law to determine whether the voter'due south name on the identification provided (acceptable photo ID, or supporting course of ID, if applicable) matches the name on the official listing of registered voters ("OLRV"). Afterwards a voter presents their ID, whether it's an acceptable class of photo ID or a supporting form of ID (if applicative), the election worker will compare information technology to the OLRV. If the proper name on the ID matches the proper name on the list of registered voters, the voter will follow the regular procedures for voting.

If the name does not match exactly only is "substantially similar" to the name on the OLRV, the voter will be permitted to vote as long as the voter signs an affidavit stating that the voter is the same person on the list of registered voters.

If a voter possesses an acceptable form of photo ID but does non accept it at the polling place, the voter will still exist permitted to vote provisionally. The voter will have 6 (6) days to present an adequate form of photograph identification to the county voter registrar, or fill out the natural disaster affidavit referenced in the Exemption/Exceptions section below, or the voter's election will be rejected. Alternatively, a voter who possesses an acceptable course of photo ID only does not have information technology at the polling place may choose to leave the polling place and return before the close of the polls on election twenty-four hour period with said acceptable grade of photo ID to, if the voter would otherwise qualify, vote a regular ballot at that fourth dimension.

Exemptions:

Voters with a disability may apply with the county voter registrar for a permanent exemption to presenting an acceptable photograph identification or following the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure in the county. The application must contain written documentation from either the U.Southward. Social Security Assistants evidencing the applicant'south disability, or from the U.South. Department of Veterans Affairs evidencing a inability rating of at least 50 percent. The applicant must also state that he/she does not have a class of identification prescribed by Section 63.0101 of the Texas Election Code. Those who obtain a inability exemption will be immune to vote upon display of their voter registration document reflecting the exemption, and volition not need to execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration. Please contact your county voter registrar for more than details.

Voters who have a consistent religious objection to being photographed or who do not nowadays an acceptable form of photo identification listed above or follow the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure considering of certain natural disasters equally declared past the President of the Us or the Texas Governor, may vote a provisional ballot, appear at the voter registrar's function within half-dozen (half-dozen) agenda days afterwards election day, and sign an affirmation swearing to the religious objection or natural disaster, in order for the voter'due south ballot to be counted. Please contact your county voter registrar for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of photo identification is required to authorize to vote in person?
The following is a listing of adequate photo IDs at the polling place:
- Texas Driver License issued past the Texas Department of Public Rubber (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas Personal Identification Menu issued by DPS
- Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
- United States Armed services Identification Card containing the person's photograph
- The states Citizenship Document containing the person'due south photo
- United States Passport (book or menu)
With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not elapse, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable course of photo identification may be expired no more than iv years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. For voters aged 70 or older, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired for any length of fourth dimension if the identification is otherwise valid.
My adequate photo ID is expired. Volition information technology still work?
With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not expire, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable photo identification must be current or accept expired no more than than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. For voters aged 70 or older, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired for whatever length of time if the identification is otherwise valid.
What if a voter does non have whatsoever of the acceptable forms of photograph ID?
If a voter does non possess an acceptable form of photo ID and the voter cannot reasonably obtain such ID, the voter may still cast a regular ballot past presenting a supporting class of ID and executing a Reasonable Impediment Proclamation, noting the voter's reasonable impediment to obtaining an acceptable form of photograph identification, stating that the information independent in the annunciation is true, that the voter is the same private personally appearing at the polling place to sign the declaration, and that the voter faces a reasonable impediment to procuring an acceptable form of photo identification.
Here is a listing of supporting forms of ID:
- copy or original of a regime document that shows the voter's name and an address, including the voter's voter registration certificate;
- re-create of or original current utility beak;
- copy of or original bank statement;
- copy of or original government check;
- copy of or original paycheck; or
- re-create of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.Southward. state or territory) birth certificate or (b) a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter'south identity (which may include a strange birth document).
Voters with a disability may apply with the county voter registrar for a permanent exemption to presenting an acceptable photo identification or post-obit the Reasonable Impediment Declaration process in the county. The application must contain written documentation from either the U.Southward. Social Security Administration evidencing the bidder's inability, or from the U.South. Section of Veterans Affairs evidencing a disability rating of at to the lowest degree 50 percent. The applicant must besides land that he/she does non have a grade of identification prescribed past Department 63.0101 of the Texas Election Code. Those who obtain a disability exemption will be allowed to vote upon display of their voter registration certificate reflecting the exemption, and will not need to execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.
If a voter states that they (a) do not possess an acceptable form of photo identification listed above, and the voter can reasonably obtain ane of these acceptable forms of identification or (b) possesses, but did not bring to the polling place, one of the seven forms of acceptable photo identification listed above, the voter may bandage a conditional election at the polls. However, in club to accept the provisional ballot counted, the voter will be required to visit the voter registrar's role inside six agenda days of the engagement of the election to nowadays one of the above forms of photo ID; OR, if applicable, submit one of the temporary affidavits addressed in these FAQs (eastward.g., religious objection or natural disaster); OR, if applicable, qualify for the disability exemption addressed in these FAQs, in the presence of the canton voter registrar. Alternatively, the voter may choose to exit the polling place and render earlier the close of the polls on ballot solar day with an acceptable form of photo ID to, if they otherwise qualify, vote a regular election at that fourth dimension.

Voters who have a consistent religious objection to being photographed or who do not nowadays an acceptable form of photograph identification listed higher up or follow the Reasonable Impediment Declaration process because of certain natural disasters every bit declared by the President of the United States or the Texas Governor, may vote a provisional ballot, appear at the voter registrar's office within six (half-dozen) calendar days after ballot day, and sign an
affidavit swearing to the religious objection or natural disaster, in order for the voter's ballot to exist counted. Delight contact your county voter registrar for more details.
What is a reasonable impediment?
Reasonable impediments identified on the Reasonable Impediment Annunciation are: lack of transportation, disability or illness, lack of nativity certificate or other documents needed to obtain acceptable photo ID, work schedule, family responsibilities, lost or stolen ID, or adequate grade of photo ID practical for merely non received. You must qualify for one of these reasonable impediments in order to execute a Reasonable Impediment Annunciation. A person is subject to prosecution for perjury under Affiliate 37, Penal Code, or Section 63.0013 of the Texas Election Lawmaking for providing a false statement or false information on a Reasonable Impediment Annunciation.
What if a voter does non have any form of ID with them at the polling identify and they do not have a disability exemption when they visit the polling place?
If a voter does non possess an adequate form of photograph ID, cannot reasonably obtain one, and does not take or does not bring a supporting form of ID to present in connection with a Reasonable Impediment Declaration, or if the voter does not possess an adequate course of photo ID and can reasonably obtain an acceptable form of photo ID, or if the voter possesses, only did not bring with them, an adequate course of photo ID, the voter may bandage a provisional ballot at the polls. Even so, in order to have the provisional ballot counted the voter will be required to visit the county voter registrar's office within six calendar days of the engagement of the election to present an acceptable form of photo ID; OR, if the voter does non possess and cannot reasonably obtain an acceptable grade of photo ID, follow the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure; OR, if applicable, submit 1 of the temporary affidavits addressed in these FAQs (religious objection or natural disaster) in the presence of the county voter registrar; OR, if applicative, qualify for the disability exemption addressed in these FAQs with the county voter registrar.

Alternatively, a voter who possesses an adequate form of photo ID but does non have it at the polling identify, or a voter who does not possess an acceptable form of photo ID, and is reasonably able to obtain one, may cull to leave the polling place and return before the close of the polls on ballot solar day with an adequate form of photo ID to vote a regular election at that time. In addition, a voter who does not possess, would otherwise not be able to reasonably obtain an acceptable class of photograph ID, but did non bring a supporting form of ID to the polling place, may choose to leave the polling place and return before the close of the polls on election day with said supporting form of ID to fill out the Reasonable Impediment Declaration and, if they otherwise qualify, vote a regular election at that fourth dimension.
What if my acceptable form of photograph ID was lost, stolen, suspended, revoked or is expired more iv years?
A voter whose photo identification has been lost, stolen, suspended, revoked or, for voters aged 18-69, expired more than iv years does not possess one of the acceptable forms of photograph ID, and, if the voter cannot reasonably obtain a replacement of the identification that was lost, stolen, suspended, revoked or expired or another class of acceptable photo ID, the voter is eligible to present a supporting grade of ID, execute a Reasonable Impediment Proclamation, and, bold they otherwise authorize, vote a regular ballot.
My proper name on my approved photo ID or my supporting ID (if applicable) does non exactly match my name on my voter registration card. Can I even so vote?
Election officials will review the ID and if a name is "
substantially similar" to the proper noun on their list of registered voters, y'all will still be able to vote, simply you will as well take to submit an affidavit stating that you are the same person on the list of registered voters.
What does "substantially similar" hateful?
A voter's name is considered substantially like if i or more of the following circumstances applies:
- The proper name on the ID is slightly different from 1 or more of the name fields on the official listing of registered voters.
- The proper noun on the voter'southward ID or on the list of registered voters is a customary variation of the voter'southward formal name. For example, Pecker for William
- The voter's name contains an initial, middle name, or former name that is either not on the official list of registered voters or on the voter's ID.
- A commencement proper name, heart proper noun, former name or initial of the voter's name occupies a unlike field on the presented ID document than it does on the list of registered voters.
In considering whether a proper name is substantially similar, ballot officials will also look at whether information on the presented ID matches elements of the voter's information on the official list of registered voters such as the voter's residence address or date of birth.
Is the DPS Election Identification Certificate notwithstanding going to be available?
Yep. The Election Identification Certificate is now bachelor, and volition exist nonetheless exist a course of acceptable photograph ID. Data regarding how to obtain an election identification document tin can exist constitute at www.dps.texas.gov. You may also contact DPS by telephone at (512) 424-2600 for more information.

Should you lot need additional information, please contact our office via telephone at 1-800-252-VOTE (8683) or email us.

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