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Official website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means it's official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    ​Acceptable ID

    Individuals applying for a certificate must present an unexpired government-issued photo identification at time of application. 

    What forms of identification are acceptable to get my certificate?

    Individuals applying for a certificate must present an unexpired government-issued photo identification at time of application. If you are requesting that the certificate be mailed to you, you must provide a form of government-issued photo identification that also provides proof of address. Acceptable forms of government-issued photo identification include the following:

    GOVERNMENT-ISSUED PHOTO IDENTIFICATION PICKUP

    MAIL
    (ADDRESS ON ID MUST BE CURRENT)

    Driver's LicenseXX
    License to Carry Firearms/Carry and Conceal PermitXX
    Inmate Identification CardXX*
    Military Identification CardX 
    Medical Marijuana Identification CardX 
    Passport (United States or Foreign Government)X 
    State-issued Identification CardXX

    *If you are presenting a recent inmate photo identification card and are no longer incarcerated, then you must also provide a copy of release papers or a letter from the institution that verified your current mailing address.

    What if I don't have a government-issued photo ID?

    Alternate Identification

    If the applicant does not have an unexpired government-issued photo identification, the applicant must submit two documents that verify his/her name and current mailing address.  Acceptable documents may include the following: 

    DOCUMENT

    AGE OF THE DOCUMENT

    Bank Statement 

    Date must be within last 90 days

    Credit Card Statement 

    Medical Records 

    Pay Stub 

    Social Security Statement 

    Utility Bill 

    Car Insurance 

    Policy date must be within the current period 

    Lease/Rental Agreement 

    Current lease/rental agreement 

    School Records/Student ID 

    Current School Year 

    Tax Return/W-2 form 

    Most recent year’s filing 

    Vehicle Registration 

    Current registration 

     If the applicant does not have any of the above alternate documents, two pieces of current mail to verify name and address are acceptable.  Junk mail and envelopes are excluded.  An example would be a letter from another government agency, a physician, employer, etc.   If the address contains a P.O. Box, the document must reflect that the applicant has utilized the post office box for at least two months.

    If you apply by mail, please send us a legible photocopy of your identification documentation. Do not send us your original ID cards.