1. (a) Except as stated in subsections (b), (c), (g) and (h) of this section, an application for initial registration - including registration under Transportation Code, Chapter 502, Subchapters C or I; §502.146; a registration under §217.66 of this title (relating to Specialized License Plate for Registration of Rental Trailers); or a commercial vehicle registration under §217.46(b) of this title (relating to Commercial Vehicle Registration) - is not acceptable unless the applicant presents a current photo identification of the owner containing a unique identification number and expiration date. The current photo identification must be a:

   1. (1) driver's license or state identification certificate issued by a state or territory of the United States;
   2. (2) United States or foreign passport;
   3. (3) United States military identification card;
   4. (4) North Atlantic Treaty Organization identification or identification issued under a Status of Forces Agreement;
   5. (5) United States Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, or United States Department of State identification document; or
   6. (6) license to carry a handgun issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety under Government Code, Chapter 411, Subchapter H.

2. (b) Except as stated in subsections (c), (g) and (h) of this section, - an application for initial registration under Transportation Code, Chapter 502- other than registration under Subchapters C or I of Chapter 502; §502.146; a registration under §217.66 of this title (relating to Specialized License Plate for Registration of Rental Trailers); or a commercial vehicle registration under §217.46(b) of this title (relating to Commercial Vehicle Registration) - is not acceptable unless the applicant presents one of the following for the owner of the vehicle:

   1. (1) a valid, unexpired driver's license or state identification certificate that complies with REAL ID and is not marked "limited term" or "temporary," issued by a state or territory of the United States;
   2. (2) a valid, unexpired driver's license or state identification certificate issued by a state that issues driver's licenses and state identification certificates only to individuals who are legally present in the United States;
   3. (3) a valid, unexpired driver's license or state identification certificate issued by a state or territory of the United States, accompanied by a United States birth certificate, United States Certificate of Naturalization (N-550 or N-570), or a United States Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561);
   4. (4) a valid passport; or
   5. (5) a valid, unexpired license to carry a handgun issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety under Government Code, Chapter 411, Subchapter H.

3. (c) If the motor vehicle is titled in:

   1. (1) more than one name, then the identification of one owner under subsections (a), (b), or (c)(2) - (4) of this section, as applicable, must be presented;

   2. (2) the name of a leasing company, then:

      1. (A) proof of the Federal Employer Identification Number/Employee Identification Number (FEIN/EIN) of the leasing company must be submitted, written on the application, and can be entered into the department's titling system. The number must correspond to the name of the leasing company in which the vehicle is being titled; and

      2. (B) the leasing company may submit:

         1. (i) a current photo identification, required under subsection (a) of this section, of the lessee listed as the registrant; or
         2. (ii) a current photo identification, required under subsection (a) of this section, of the employee or authorized agent who signed the application for the leasing company, and the employee's or authorized agent's employee identification, letter of authorization written on the lessor's letterhead, or a printed business card. The printed business card, employee identification, or letter of authorization written on the lessor's letterhead must contain the name of the lessor, and the employee's or authorized agent's name must match the name on the current photo identification;
   3. (3) the name of a trust, then a current photo identification, required under subsection (a) of this section, of a trustee, or authorized trustee representative if the trustee is a legal entity, must be presented; or

   4. (4) the name of a business, government entity, or organization, then:

      1. (A) proof of the Federal Employer Identification Number/Employee Identification Number (FEIN/EIN) of the business, government entity, or organization must be submitted, written on the application, and can be entered into the department's titling system. The number must correspond to the name of the business, government entity, or organization in which the vehicle is being titled;
      2. (B) the employee or authorized agent must present a current photo identification, required under subsection (a) this section; and
      3. (C) the employee's or authorized agent's employee identification; letter of authorization written on the business', government entity's, or organization's letterhead; or a printed business card. The printed business card, employee identification, or letter of authorization written on the business', government entity's, or organization's letterhead must contain the name of the business, governmental entity, or organization, and the employee's or authorized agent's name must match the name on the current photo identification.
4. (d) Within this section, an identification document such as a printed business card, letter of authorization, or power of attorney, may be an original or photocopy.

5. (e) A person who holds a general distinguishing number issued under Transportation Code, Chapter 503 is exempt from submitting to the county tax assessor-collector, but must retain:

   1. (1) the owner's identification, as required under this section; and
   2. (2) authorization to sign, as required under this section.
6. (f) A person who holds a general distinguishing number issued under Transportation Code, Chapter 503 is not required to submit photo identification or authorization for an employee or agent signing a title assignment with a secure power of attorney.
7. (g) This section does not apply to non-titled vehicles.

8. (h) This section does not apply to:

   1. (1) apportioned registration under the International Registration Plan;
   2. (2) exempt vehicle registration under Transportation Code, Chapter 502, Subchapter J, or Transportation Code, §502.0025; or
   3. (3) registration of off-highway vehicles owned by the state, a county, or a municipality under Transportation Code §502.140(c).

Source Note:The provisions of this §217.26 adopted to be effective March 12, 2015, 40 TexReg 1096; amended to be effective August 8, 2016, 41 TexReg 5766; amended to be effective November 14, 2024, 49 TexReg 8980; amended to be effective March 5, 2026, 51 TexReg 1292.