TOEFL iBT

TOEFL iBT ID requirements: what to bring on test day

For TOEFL iBT, bring one original, valid ID with your name, photo and signature. A passport is the safest choice almost everywhere. In your own country, ETS usually also accepts a national ID card, driver license or state/province ID; outside it, you need a passport (citizens of EU, Schengen and GCC countries may use their national ID card instead in another of those countries). Your first and last names must match your ETS account exactly.

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The checker catches what this page can't: a name that doesn't match your registration, an expiry date, or a missing supplemental ID.

Rules that apply in every country

• Your first and last names must match your ETS account exactly, accents aside. A middle initial is optional.
• The ID must be valid on test day. We treat an ID that expires on the exam day itself as expired.
• Bring the physical original: no photocopies, scans or photos on your phone.
• The ID must show your name, a recent photo and your signature.

If your ID has no signature

Bring a supplemental ID as well: another government-issued photo ID, a student ID with your photo, or a confirmation-of-identity letter from your school issued within the last year. It must carry the same name as your registration.

Country-specific rules

These places add their own rules. Everywhere else, the rules above apply.

• EU / Schengen / GCC
• Mercosur
• Poland & Romania
• Mainland China
• Taiwan
• India
• Pakistan
• Bangladesh & Nigeria
• Canada
• United States & territories
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates
• South Korea
• Mexico
• Philippines
• Chad

Questions

Is a passport always accepted for TOEFL iBT?

A valid passport is accepted almost everywhere, and it's required whenever you test outside your country of citizenship. Exceptions: mainland China residents testing in mainland China must use their Resident Identity Card, and in Macau and Taiwan, mainland citizens use a travel permit instead.

My name on the ID doesn't exactly match my ETS account. What should I do?

Contact ETS TOEFL Customer Service before test day and ask them to correct your registration. It's quicker than cancelling and re-booking, and a mismatch means you won't be allowed to test.

Can I use an expired ID if I've applied for a new one?

Generally no: the ID must be valid on test day. A few places have narrow exceptions (for example an expired US or Philippine driver license with the official renewal document). Otherwise contact your test centre about alternatives or rescheduling.

Sources

Last verified 2026-10-01 against:

• ETS — Identification (ID) Requirements for the TOEFL Essentials Test (verified 2026-10-01)

Unofficial checklist, not exam or legal advice. ID rules can change and the test centre has the final say, so confirm with the official test owner before exam day.