Straight from the Drivers handbook.
For the first time issuance of a North Carolina identification card, learner permit or driver license, proof of residency is required which must include name and current North Carolina residence address. This is in addition to proof of age and identity requirements. Acceptable documents include the following.
NOTE: The proof of residency documents are subject to verifiable authenticity by the Division.
(1) Documents issued by the United States Government or by the government of another nation, such as
- Military orders
- Valid passport
- Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) documents
- Correspondence from Veterans Administration
- Matricula Consular from Government of Mexico
- Correspondence from the Social Security Administration
(2) Documents issued by the State of North Carolina or its political subdivisions (County, city) another State, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or a U.S. Territory, such as
- Valid North Carolina vehicle registration
- Correspondence or a service card from Social Services
- Property tax statement
- Library card
- North Carolina voter registration card
(3) A preprinted bank or other corporate statement (Example: Bank statement)
(4) A preprinted business letterhead
(5) Documents deemed reliable by the Division such as
- Apartment lease, housing contract, mortgage statement
- Utility bill (Power bill, cable bill, water bill, etc.) or contract for utility services
- School records signed by school official, including driver education certificates
- Computer generated tax record
- Current life, health, property or automobile insurance policy or binder
- Letter from homeless shelter
- Document from Social Services
- Computer generated check stub
A sworn affidavit may be used ONLY if one of the above documents is NOT available. In the case of a minor, a parent or legal guardian must sign the affidavit. General Statutes requires a $2.00 fee for execution of an affidavit.
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Even illegal aliens can get drivers license and buy cars in NC so a legal visitor should be no problem.
We have a friend right now who is on a tourist visa and is trying to rent an apartment for 3 months. The problem she is finding is they will do a credit check and if you have no credit record in the US and no Social Security number you won't get approved. What she is being forced to do is pay all the rent in advance to avoid the credit check.