The rule behind every check
A document is real because a record exists at the agency that issued it, not because the paper looks right. Looks can be copied. A record cannot be created by a seller. So every check below goes to the issuer, and none of them goes to the person offering the document.
| Document | The issuer | How to check or confirm | Our guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver's license | State or DC licensing agency (54 entries in the USA.gov directory) | Through the state's own site or counter; employers and rental firms follow their own procedures | Directory |
| REAL ID status | The state that issued the card | A star in the upper right-hand corner marks a compliant card (USA.gov) | REAL ID |
| Passport | U.S. Department of State | Renewal only through the State Department; lost or stolen passports reported to it | Passport guide |
| Social Security card | Social Security Administration | Free replacement through SSA; limits apply | SSA card guide |
| Birth certificate | Vital records office of the birth state or territory | Order from that office or a vendor it names; CDC lists where to write | Birth certificates |
| International Driving Permit | AAA or AATA only | Buy only from those two (USA.gov) | IDP guide |
| Nursing license | State board of nursing | Board lookup or Nursys QuickConfirm (RN and LPN/VN, participating boards) | Nursing license |
| CDL training school | FMCSA Training Provider Registry | Search the registry; training from an unlisted provider does not count | CDL guide |
| Immigration helper | Attorney bar, or DOJ-accredited organization | Verify bar number or the DOJ roster of recognized organizations | Notario fraud |
Checking the website itself
- Is the address
.gov? Connecticut's department says to get immigration information only from U.S. government websites and to check that the address has .gov in it. USCIS lists non-.gov domains among scam red flags. - Did you arrive from an ad? Search ads can put resellers above agencies. On October 5, 2026 the top five results for “passport renewal” were private businesses.
- Did you reach it from a text? Do not. State DMVs say they do not send payment links by text.
- Is the fee the government's? Compare with the published fee. For passports, 22 CFR 22.1 lists the figures.
Checking a person
For a nurse: license lookup, not a diploma copy. For an immigration helper: attorney bar or accreditation, not a business card. For a DMV or agency caller: hang up and call the agency's published number. USA.gov notes that government agencies typically initiate contact by letter unless you contacted them first, so an unexpected call, text or message demanding money is suspect.
When a check cannot be done
Some checks are not public. There is no open national database for driver's licenses, for example; checks happen inside agency and law-enforcement systems. If an employer, landlord or buyer asks you to prove something and you are unsure how, ask the issuing agency what it offers. If a seller says a check is “not needed” or is “done on our side”, treat that as a red flag; see scam red flags.
A check that comes back clean for the wrong reasons is also possible: Operation Nightingale showed licenses issued on fake diplomas. Pair a record check with questions about how the credential was earned when the stakes are high.
A worked example: a renewal reminder text
You receive a text saying your license expires and linking to a renewal page. The check takes a minute. Do not click. Open the state agency from the directory, log in or look up renewal there, and see whether a notice exists. California's DMV says it does not send texts with payment links, and Georgia's DDS tells people to check their record through its online services. If the agency site shows nothing due, the text was not from it. Then report the text (see where to report).
A worked example: a passport service
A site offers to renew your passport. Check three things: the address, the price and what it will do. The State Department's online renewal is the only authorized online place, according to USA.gov; the fee for an adult book is the regulation's $130 plus $60 if expedited; and the site is only mailing your application. If it asks for more than the form requires, or takes a fee far above the official one, you do not need it.
A worked example: a nurse applicant
An applicant shows a diploma and a license number. Look the license up on the board or Nursys, check status and discipline, and ask which school issued the diploma. A diploma from a school that closed is not proof of fraud, but it is a reason to ask for the board's records.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a driver's license is real?
Only the issuing state agency can confirm a license record. Businesses use scanners and their own procedures; individuals should not rely on appearance. If you are unsure of your own license, check with your state agency. The state agency is the issuer, so employers, landlords and buyers who need confidence should ask the person for permission and use the agency's own process.
How do I verify a website is the real DMV?
Look for a .gov or state-government address and reach it from the USA.gov state directory, not from an ad or a text. A real agency will not promise a pass or send a payment link by text. Do not enter your details on a site you reached from an ad or text. Type the address yourself or follow the directory link.
Is there a national database to check licenses?
Not an open public one. Checks happen through state agencies and law-enforcement systems. We did not find an official public lookup for driver's licenses. Checks that matter happen inside state and law-enforcement systems, which is why a seller cannot offer one.
How do I check a nurse's license?
Through the board of nursing or Nursys QuickConfirm, which is free and covers RN and LPN/VN licenses from participating boards. Nursys covers RN and LPN/VN licenses from participating boards, so other types need a direct request to the board that issued them.
What if a seller says the document can be checked on a government site?
A genuine record cannot be created by a seller. The check would need your own details and would be done by the issuer. Treat the claim as a red flag. USA.gov and the agencies agree that official steps are free or carry a published fee, and nobody can create a record for you.