skip to main content skip to footer

 

TOEFL® EssentialsTM

A friendly and convenient English-language test with the quality that universities respect

Identification (ID) Requirements for the TOEFL Essentials Test

The name you use when registering

When you create your ETS account and register for your test, it’s important to make sure that the name and date of birth you use exactly matches the name and date of birth on the identification (ID) information you plan to use on the day of your test. If this information doesn't match, you won't be able to take the test, and your test fee won't be refunded. If you’re concerned about a discrepancy, contact TOEFL® Services before you register. TOEFL Services can also help if your name changes after you register.

  • The first and last name you use when you register — and the spelling of that name — must exactly match (excluding accents) the name printed on the ID you’ll present on the day of your test.
  • Provide your entire first (given) name (excluding accents). Don’t register under a nickname or with only an initial as your first name.
  • Supply your entire last (family/surname) name. If you have a two-part first or last name, supply your complete last name as it appears on the ID (excluding accents) that you’ll present on the day of the test. For example, a last name of Fernandez de Córdova would be entered as Fernandez de Cordova.
  • You have the option to include your middle initial, but it’s not a requirement.
  • If you register by phone, make sure you’re registered under your entire first and last names as they appear on your ID (excluding accents).

If you already have an ETS account, confirm that the name on your ID still matches the name that appears in your account (excluding accents). If they don’t, contact TOEFL Services.

Your ID requirements

Your ID requirements depend on where you plan to take the test and your citizenship, unless you’re testing at home. If testing at home, you’re required to present valid government-issued ID.

Review the general ID requirements below, then select the country/location where you plan to test to see specific ID requirements.

 

General ID document requirements

With few exceptions, ID documents must meet all of the following requirements. Each ID document must:

  • be an original document; photocopied documents are not acceptable
  • be a physical ID; a digital ID issued to a mobile phone or any other electronic device is not acceptable, except in the Republic of Korea, where some digital IDs are permitted
  • be a government-issued national/state/province identity card that is issued and recognized by the country where you are a citizen or resident
  • be valid; expired documents are not acceptable
  • include your full name and date of birth exactly matching the name and date of birth you used to register, excluding accents or diacritical marks
  • include a recent, recognizable photograph
  • include your signature (the name on the ID and the signature name must match)=

ID requirements in the country/location where you plan to test

Select the country/location where you plan to take the test to see information about specific ID requirements.

 

Additional information

The following documents aren’t acceptable as primary or supplemental ID under any circumstances:

  • international driver's license
  • draft classification card
  • international student ID
  • credit/debit card of any kind
  • notary-prepared letter or document
  • birth certificate
  • Social Security card
  • employee ID card
  • any temporary ID card
  • diplomatic, consulate or embassy ID card

If your ID document isn’t written in English-language letters and the proctor can't read it, you must present supplemental ID.

You might have to provide a supplemental ID document if:

  • the proctor questions your primary ID document
  • your primary ID document is otherwise acceptable but is missing your full name, photograph or signature

You can't use supplemental ID documents to resolve last-name discrepancies; you’ll need to contact TOEFL Services before test day to resolve.

If you can't provide acceptable supplemental ID (see below) that includes your signature, you can present two government-issued IDs with photographs, as long as they use the same name you used when you registered.

The following ID documents are generally acceptable as supplemental ID:

  • Government-issued ID card (including, but not limited to, those listed under Acceptable Primary ID Documents)
  • Student ID card
  • Confirmation of identity letter from your educational institution. This letter must be typed or printed on the original letterhead of the educational institution you attend(ed) and, in addition to meeting all of the ID Document Requirements, must include your date of birth and the date issued. Additionally, a school official's signature and the school seal must be present and both must overlap your photograph, as shown below. Such letters are valid for only 1 year from the date issued.

  • Driver's license renewals
    • If you are in the U.S. military and the expiration of your driver's license has been extended or deferred by the issuing state, it can be used as supplemental ID along with your U.S. military ID card. Depending on the state, the extension or deferral may consist of a sticker on the license, the designation "military" printed in place of an expiration date, or a separate document carried with the license, usually with a notation that the license is valid for a specific amount of time after discharge from service.
    • If your driver's license has expired but you present it along with your Original Department of Public Safety renewal certificate, the two documents together can be accepted if the names match exactly. If you have a temporary paper license instead of a renewal certificate, that is acceptable only if it is accompanied by an acceptable supplemental ID.

If you have been granted political asylum, have refugee status or are otherwise unable to meet the ID requirements, you must contact the ETS Office of Testing Integrity (OTI) at least 7 days before you register. You must receive approval from OTI before you register. Be prepared to submit any requested documents for review. If you don't contact OTI and as a result you can't take the test or your scores are held or canceled, your test fee will not be refunded.

ETS Office of Testing Integrity (OTI)

Email: Office of Testing Integrity (OTI)
Phone:  1-609-406-5430
Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. U.S. Eastern time, except U.S. holidays
Fax: 1-609-406-9709

Questions about ID documents

For general questions about acceptable ID, contact TOEFL Services.