Types of identity documents
You may need to provide evidence of your identity when registering a vehicle or getting your licence. To have your identity confirmed you must attend a Customer Service Centre in person. Without the right documents you will not be able to complete your application.
What identity documents do I need?
The most you will need to provide for any application is:
- one Category A evidence document (evidence of existence and link between identity and the applicant. e.g. passport or full Australian birth certificate – originals, not photocopies or certified copies)
- one Category B evidence document (evidence of use of that identity in the community. e.g. Medicare or bank card)
- evidence of Victorian residence (if your address is not shown on the Category A or Category B documents)
- evidence of change of name (if your name is different on the Category A and Category B documents).
Providing false and/or misleading information or documents is a serious offence under the Road Safety Act 1986 and/or Marine Safety Act 2010 and can result in you being fined or imprisoned. Any authority or approval, given as a result of you providing such information/documents, may be reversed and have no effect.
Accepted identity documents
The name on your Category A and Category B documents need to show your family name and first name in full and in the same order.
- If you have more than one first (given) name the first name must appear on both documents.
- If you have more than one family (surname) all names must appear on both documents.
Acting on behalf of another person or company
To register a vehicle on behalf of someone else you'll need a signed Authority to act as an agent form. Go to Register on behalf of someone else for more information.
Category A documents
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Category A documents need to show your family name, first name and your date of birth. The documents need to be current or expired by no more than two years.
Acceptable Category A documents
- Australian photo driver licence or learner permit photo card.
- Victorian digital driver licence (note that we can't accept interstate or overseas digital driver licences).
- Victorian marine licence photo card.
- Victorian firearm licence photo card.
- Victorian Security Guard/Crowd Controller photo card.
- Australian passport.
- An overseas passport (If expired by more than two years it is acceptable if accompanied by a current Australian visa.
- Certificate of identity issued by the Passport Office.
- Convention travel document issued by the Passport Office.
- Document of identity issued by the Passport Office (usually issued to travellers to Norfolk Island).
- Australian police force officer photo identity card.
- Consular photo identity card issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
- Full Australian birth certificate issued by a Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Note: Birth extracts and Commemorative birth certificates are not accepted).
- Australian naturalisation or citizenship certificate
- ImmiCard issued by the Department of Home Affairs (up to 2 years expired)
- a Document for Travel to Australia accompanied by supporting documentation issued by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection or the Department of Home Affairs
- NSW Photo Card (issued by NSW RMS after 14 December 2008).
- Birth card (issued by NSW RMS prior to August 2008).
Please note: Providing false and/or misleading information or documents is a serious offence under the Road Safety Act 1986 and/or Marine Safety Act 2010 and can result in you being fined or imprisoned. Any authority or approval, given as a result of you providing such information/documents, may be reversed and have no effect.
Category B documents
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One of the following documents that is current.
- State or federal government employee photo ID card.
- Medicare card.
- Department of Veterans Affairs card.
- Pensioner Concession card.
- Current entitlement card issued by the Commonwealth.
- Student identity card.
- Any Australian or overseas credit card or account card from a bank, building society or credit union.
- Working with Children Check card.
- Australian Proof of Age card.
- Australian Keypass card.
- Australian Defence Force photo identity card (excluding civilian staff).
OR
One of these documents that is no more than one year old (electronic statements on a device (eg mobile phone or tablet) and Internet printed statements are acceptable):
- passbook or bank account statement showing the institutions letterhead or stamp
- telephone, gas or electricity bill showing the institutions letterhead or with a stamp
- letters from ATO, Centrelink, Bank and Medicare showing institutions letterhead or stamp.
OR
One of these documents that is no more than two years old:
- water rates, council rates or land evaluation notice
- electoral enrolment card or other evidence of enrolment
- Armed services discharge papers
- current Victorian Driving Authority photo identity card.
You will need one of the following documents if your Victorian residential address is not shown or is different on your Category A or Category B evidence documents:
- contract of sale, lease, or rental document that shows your current address
- current renewal notice for a driver licence or vehicle registration
- Australian Taxation Office Assessment (last or current financial year)
- a different Category A or Category B document that shows your current address.
If you still cannot establish evidence of your Victorian residence, you must provide a referee statement which must:
- be signed by a Victorian driver licence or learner permit holder who is over the age of 18
- has known you for 12 months or more and
- includes the referee's name, driver licence or learner permit number and signature.
This statement can be made on the learner permit or licence application form.
Where name differs on documents
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You will need one of the following documents if your name is different on the Category A and Category B evidence documents.
- Marriage certificate issued by a Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Australia.
- Divorce papers (showing the name being reverted to).
- Deed Poll (issued prior to November 1986 in Victoria).
- Change of name Certificate (issued on and after November 1986 in Victoria).
Identity documents for a company
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If a vehicle is to be registered to a Company, one of the following is required:
- Australian Company Number (ACN)
- When it is registered, every Australian company receives a unique nine digit identifying number known as the Australian Company Number. The number must appear on every public document issued, signed or published by, or on behalf of, the company* or
- Certificate of Registration
- As well as an ACN, ASIC issues every registered company with a Certificate of Registration, or
- Certificate of Incorporation.
* An Australian Business Number (ABN) is different to an ACN. ABN is a unique 11-digit number for use in business dealings with the Australian Taxation Office and for dealings with other government agencies. Registered companies and business entities carrying on business in Australia can apply for an ABN.
Note: Australian Business Numbers (ABNs) are not acceptable proof that a body is an incorporated body.
To act on behalf of a company
You must provide:
- a Category A or B evidence of identity document
- an original letter of authority from the company director or company on incorporated letterhead. It should include the following information:
- full company name and address on letterhead
- Australian Company Number (ACN) or Certificate of Incorporation
- name of person acting on behalf of the company
- list of activities that can be performed on behalf of the company (e.g. renew registration).
An Authority to act as an agent form is acceptable if a company does not have letterhead.
The following activities cannot be done on behalf of someone else:
- take a test
- buy a work diary
- have a photo taken.