New York State Department of Motor Vehicles: Translation Requirements for Documents in Another Language

Worth knowing about New York DMV

New York DMV requirements in detail

Two translation rules, two different moments

New York has a general rule and a narrow one. The general rule is on form ID-44, the DMV's guide to proofs of identity: any document in a foreign language needs a certified English translation to be accepted.

That applies to the foreign marriage record that links your names, the foreign license or national ID you count toward your six points, and the driving abstract you bring from a country whose license New York exchanges.

The narrow rule is on the DMV's page for drivers from other countries and applies at the road test: if your license is not in English, you bring an International Driving Permit or a certified translation, and that translation must be certified by a consulate, the US Department of State or another official government agency.

It must show your name, date of birth, the license expiration date and the vehicle types it allows. A translation from a private service does not meet that second rule, so plan for the IDP or the consulate.

Foreign records that count toward six points

ID-44 is a point system: you need six points of proof of name, with at least one document from its proof-of-identity section. Foreign documents count.

A foreign passport is worth 4 points, though without a US visa and I-94 it proves date of birth only and cannot be used for a REAL ID or Enhanced license; a foreign marriage or divorce record issued by a government entity is worth 2; a foreign driver license with photo, current or expired no more than two years, is also on the list (Form ID-44, proofs of identity).

Each of those, if not in English, goes with its certified translation. Students from other countries attending school in New York are normally not treated as residents and need not exchange their license (Exchange an out-of-state driver license).

Documents people usually translate

• Foreign marriage or divorce records, to link a name change or for 2 points
• Foreign driver licenses and national ID cards counted as proofs
• Foreign driving abstracts for a license transfer from a select foreign country
• Foreign birth certificates, as proof of date of birth
• Foreign school records with or without photo

What an eVerbary translation includes

• A complete English translation of every page, stamps, seals and handwritten notes included, laid out like the original so each line can be matched.
• A signed certificate of translation accuracy on letterhead, with our contact details, delivered as a PDF you can upload or print.
• $24.95 per page of up to 250 words, certification included; 24 hours for one to three pages as standard. Regular clients who need it can get delivery in as little as 30 minutes, on request.
• Notarization added at checkout ($34.90 per order) when the office asks for a notarized translation.

Submitting the translation to New York DMV

• Bring the original or certified foreign documents with their certified translations to a DMV office with your application, form MV-44 (Drivers from other countries, ID-44).

• For the road test, bring your foreign license with an International Driving Permit or a government-certified translation (Drivers from other countries).

How to order

1. Scan or photograph every page of the document, front and back, including any stamps on the reverse.
2. Upload it, choose the language and "certified", and see the price before paying.
3. Receive the PDF, usually within 24 hours for one to three pages, and submit it with the copy of the original wherever the office asks for it.

Frequently asked questions