Identification Requirements

• Part 1 - Information for ALL Test Takers
• Acceptable Primary Identification Documents
• Acceptable Supplemental Identification Documents
• Unacceptable Identification Documents
• Part 2 - ID for Testing WITHIN Your Country of Citizenship
• Part 3 - ID for Testing OUTSIDE Your Country of Citizenship
• European Union/Schengen Zone Countries

Identification (ID) Requirements for Computer-Based and Paper-Based Tests

All tests takers must read Part 1. Depending on whether you will be testing within your country of citizenship or outside of it, see Part 2 or Part 3 for information on acceptable and valid ID. Your ID requirement depends upon the country of your citizenship and the country in which you plan to take the test.

All test takers in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan MUST use valid passports as their ID documents.

Part 1 - Information for ALL Test Takers

• You must have an acceptable and valid ID with signature and photo to be admitted to a test center. ID requirements are strictly enforced. It is your responsibility to read and understand the instructions and requirements. It is not the responsibility of the test site or registration center to relay all policies to you.
• If you arrive at the test center without the required identification:
  • the test center administrator will not admit you
  • you will not be allowed to take the test
  • you will forfeit your test fee.
• When scheduling your appointment, you must use exactly the same name as shown on the primary identification document that you will present at the test center. If the name shown on your primary identification does not match the name on your appointment record, you will not be permitted to test. If your ID document contains two last names, enter the names exactly as presented on your ID document. Refunds or reschedules will not be issued if you do not comply.
• Only misspellings of your name can be corrected at check-in. NAME CHANGES WILL NOT BE MADE. If your name has changed for any reason, including marriage, you still must present primary identification in the name under which you made the appointment, or you will not be permitted to test. Marriage certificates and divorce decrees cannot be used to confirm name differences. Please do not take these documents to the test center.
• If the test center administrator questions the ID you present, you will be required to present additional proof of identity. If positive confirmation cannot be made, you may be refused admission to the test center and you will forfeit your test fee.
• Test center personnel will check your identification before assigning you a seat at the test center. The administrator will check to verify that you are the person in your photo identification. The administrator will repeat this procedure before and after all breaks.
• Admittance to the test center does not imply that your form of identification is valid or that your scores will be reported. All reported cases of questionable identification are subject to review and approval by the ETS® Office of Testing Integrity.

Acceptable Primary Identification Documents

• Passport with photo and signature
• Driver's license with photo and signature
• State ID issued by motor vehicle agency with photo and signature
• National ID with photo and signature
• Military ID with photo and signature

Acceptable Supplemental Identification Documents

If your primary identification is missing either a photo or a signature, you must present one of the following supplemental IDs in addition to your primary ID. Supplemental IDs that can be used to meet the photo and/or signature requirements are:

• A government-issued identification document that has not expired (including but not limited to passport, driver's license, state ID cards, national identification, or military identification). There are some exceptions: see Unacceptable Identification Documents.
• Student ID
• Confirmation of identity letter from your educational institution

The confirmation of identity letter must contain your date of birth; a recent, recognizable photo; your signature; and the date issued.

The confirmation of identity letter must be typed on the original letterhead of the educational institution you attend(ed), and the signature of the school official and the school seal must overlap your photo. A letter of identity is valid for only one year after the date issued.

Unacceptable Identification Documents

• Any expired ID
• Draft classification card
• Credit card of any kind
• Social Security card
• Learner's permit or any temporary identification document (e.g., driver's license)
• International driver's license
• International student ID
• Notary-prepared letter or document
• Employee ID card
• Photocopy of ID
• Birth certificates 

If you cannot meet the specified ID requirements or if you have questions about ID, you must contact the ETS® Office of Testing Integrity (1-609-406-5430, fax: 1-609-406-9709, or e-mail: TSReturns@ets.org) before you schedule an appointment to test. If you do not contact the ETS Office of Testing Integrity prior to your scheduled appointment and are not admitted to the test, you will forfeit your test fee. It is your responsibility to ensure that your ID documents are reviewed and available prior to your test appointment.

Part 2 - ID for Testing WITHIN Your Country of Citizenship

Only one form of primary ID is needed if your primary ID document contains a photo and signature. See the list of acceptable primary ID documents. If the test administrator has any concerns with the primary ID documents, you will be required to present supplemental ID from the list above.

If your primary ID does not contain your signature, you must either sign the document or present an additional ID from the list of supplemental identification documents. The supplemental ID must contain a recent, recognizable photo and your signature, and cannot be expired.

Part 3 - ID for Testing OUTSIDE Your Country of Citizenship

You MUST PRESENT YOUR PASSPORT as your primary identification document (citizens of European and Schengen Zone countries see special requirements below). If you do not meet this requirement, ETS may automatically cancel your test scores.

If your passport is not written in English language letters, you must also present an additional ID from the list of supplemental identification documents (see Part 1) that contains a recent, recognizable photo and is in English.

If your passport does not contain your signature, you must either sign your passport or present an additional ID from the list of supplemental identification documents.  U.S. military personnel may present their U.S. military ID cards for admission to test centers. If a military ID card does not contain a signature, a supplemental ID is required.

European Union/Schengen Zone Countries

If you are taking the test within a European Union or Schengen Zone Country, you may use your valid national or European identity card if you have one. The card you present must contain a recent, recognizable photo; your date of birth; and your signature. If your form of ID is not in English language letters and the test administrator cannot read the language in which it is written, you may not be allowed to test. If your official ID does not contain your signature, you must present an additional document from the list of supplemental identification documents (see Part 1) that does contain your signature.