Identification Requirements for the GRE General Test

• 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. If it doesn’t, you may be prohibited from taking the test or your test scores may be canceled after you take the 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 or mail, be sure you are 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 GRE Services.

Name changes can be processed upon submission of the appropriate documentation to ETS. If you are sending scores and your name has changed since you took the test, contact GRE Services for assistance.

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

• any document that is photocopied or expired
• any ID document presented at the center on a cell phone or any other electronic device
• any document that doesn’t bear your first and last name exactly (excluding accents) as it was used when you registered for the test
• international driver's license
• mobile 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
• temporary ID (excluding driver's license, resident card and employment authorization card renewals)
• diplomatic, consulate or embassy ID card
• any document that isn’t recognized by a government agency

You may be required to provide a supplemental ID document if:

• the test administrator questions your primary ID document
• your primary ID document is otherwise acceptable but doesn’t bear your first and last name, photograph or signature

If you can’t provide a supplemental ID that contains your signature, you may present two government-issued IDs with photographs as long as they’re in the same name you used when you registered.

You cannot use supplemental ID documents to resolve name discrepancies. The first and last name on your primary ID must match (excluding accents) the name you used when you registered for the test.

The following ID documents are generally acceptable as supplemental ID:

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

If you’ve been granted political asylum, have refugee status or are otherwise unable to meet the identification requirements, you must:

• contact the ETS Office of Testing Integrity (OTI) at least 7 days before registering to test
• receive approval from OTI before you may register
• be prepared to submit any requested documents to OTI for review prior to receiving approval

If you don’t contact OTI before you register, and as a result you aren’t permitted to test or your test scores are withheld, your test fees will not be refunded.