North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles: Translation Requirements for Documents in Another Language

Worth knowing about North Carolina DMV

North Carolina DMV requirements in detail

What NCDMV takes from abroad

North Carolina's question is less about language than about origin.

The identity list starts with birth certificates from a county Register of Deeds or a state Vital Records Office and a US Consular Report of Birth Abroad, and the original or certified copy must be issued by a US government agency, a US territory or Canada.

Court documents carry the same limit. The non-REAL ID part of the list adds certified out-of-state driving records, North Carolina school records and US military and federal documents, and no foreign license.

From abroad, the list names one document: a valid, unexpired passport from any nation, with an affixed valid US visa and an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record.

Everything else that proves legal presence is a federal immigration form, such as a Permanent Resident Card, an Employment Authorization Document, an I-20 or a DS-2019, each with its own conditions (Proving Legal Presence in the U.S.).

NCDMV's pages do not address a passport or other document in another language, so ask if yours has no English on it.

A marriage abroad: the two pages disagree

If your name differs from your identity document, you bring proof of the change.

The REAL ID requirements list "original or certified international marriage licenses", with a raised seal or ink stamp and a Name Change Affidavit, and multiple changes need multiple documents.

The name-change page says all documentation must be provided by a government agency of the United States, Puerto Rico, US territories or Canada, with a notarized DL-101 you get at a DMV office. Neither says anything about translation.

Since those two pages point different ways, ask the office which applies before you visit, and name the country that issued your certificate. Change your name with the Social Security Administration 24 to 36 hours beforehand, because NCDMV confirms it online (Name changes).

Moving to North Carolina with a license from abroad

The new-resident steps are written around an out-of-state license.

Without one, you bring a document proving identity and date of birth, and you take the written and road tests again; if you were not born in the US, you add proof of legal presence, along with proof of your Social Security number, your address and liability insurance (New to North Carolina).

NCDMV publishes no exchange list by country.

The handbook says a new resident may be tested on knowledge, vision and traffic signs, and on driving skills if the examiner deems it necessary (North Carolina Driver Handbook, revised May 2025).

The state's rule sets the test: a computer knowledge exam at 80 percent with an audio option, 9 of 12 road signs for a regular Class C, vision of 20/40 or better in at least one eye for an unrestricted license, and a road test (19A NCAC 03B .0201).

If you fail the knowledge or driving test for a regular Class C license you may retake it in seven calendar days (Driver license tests).

Documents people usually translate

• Foreign passport, shown with a US visa and I-94 (no translation rule published)
• International marriage license, for a REAL ID name change with an affidavit (no translation rule published)
• License from another country, valid for driving as a nonresident (no translation rule published)

What to do in North Carolina

• Call the NCDMV Call Center at (919) 715-7000, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Request Interpreter Services), or ask at a driver license office, whether your document in another language needs a translation and of what kind.

• Check where your document was issued against the identity list before you pay for anything: a translation does not change the issuer.

• If you need help at the visit, request a language interpreter ahead of it.

Frequently asked questions