Documents Required for TOEFL

TOEFL, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is an international standardised test that assesses non-native English-speaking students on all four academic English language abilities. These include reading, listening, speaking, and writing. It is one of the most widely acknowledged English proficiency exams at Canadian and USA universities as well as educational institutions worldwide. TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) for students seeking admission to universities and colleges in English-speaking nations.

The TOEFL exam is widely available in a computer-delivered format known as TOEFL iBT (internet-based test). In India, the ETS has reinstated TOEFL paper-delivered tests to allow more students access to the TOEFL exam. To register for the TOEFL exam, applicants must pay USD 190 for all three versions of the test, namely, TOEFL iBT Home edition, TOEFL iBT, and TOEFL paper-delivered test. However, at the time of registration and during the test, test takers must present certain documents. Depending on the country where the student intends to take the test and their citizenship, they will need to provide a document ID.

Get acquainted with the TOEFL exam by checking out the following links:

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General ID Documents Requirements for TOEFL Exam

As discussed, your ID requirements are determined by where you intend to take the test and your citizenship. With a few exceptions, each ID document must fulfil all of the requirements listed below:

• Must be an original document, photocopied documents are non-acceptable.

• Cannot be displayed on a cell phone or any other electronic device.

• Must be a valid government-issued national/state/provincial identity card recognised and issued by the country in which you reside.

• Must be valid as expired documents are non-acceptable.

• Must include your entire name and date of birth, eliminating accents or diacritical marks, exactly matching the name and date of birth you used to register.

• Must include a current and recognisable photograph of the applicant.

• Must include your signature ( signature name must match with your name on the ID).

Primary ID Documents for TOEFL Exam

The primary ID documents requirement differ based on the testing facility or TOEFL test centre where you take the exam. If a student takes the TOEFL exam inside the confines of their citizenship, the following ID forms are acceptable:

• Passport or driver's licence with a clear photo, name, and signature.

• National or military identification with a name, a clear photograph, and a signature.

• A state/province ID issued by a motor vehicle agency, with a name, a clear photograph, and signature.

If students take the TOEFL test outside of their country of citizenship, the following types of identification are accepted:

• Passport with name, photograph, and clear signature.

• Military ID from the United States with a complete name, photo, and signature. If the military ID does not include a name, it should be supported by a supplemental ID.

The types of identification vary from one country to another. When taking the TOEFL exam at a test centre, it is best to bring more than one ID.

Unacceptable ID Documents for TOEFL Exam

Certain documents are not acceptable as either primary or supplemental ID for the TOEFL exam under any circumstances. The following list contains the types of documents that are non-acceptable IDs for the TOEFL exam:

• Credit/debit card of any sort.

• Birth certificate.

• International student ID.

• International or mobile drivers licence.

• Employee ID card.

• Diplomatic, consulate or embassy ID card.

• Social security card.

• Notary-prepared letter or document.

• Any temporary ID card.

• Draft classification card.

• Expired or photocopied documents.

It should be noted that if your ID is not written in English and the test centre administrator cannot understand it, you may be unable to take the exam and your TOEFL exam fee will not be refunded.

Supplemental ID Documents for TOEFL Exam

Students may need to provide supplemental ID documents if the test centre administrator questions their primary ID document. If your primary ID is missing your full name, photograph or signature, you might be required to provide your supplemental ID document. The following ID documents are generally acceptable as supplemental ID:

• Student ID card (only those documents listed under acceptable Primary IDs).

• Government-issued ID cards like drivers licence, military ID, state/province ID

• Confirmation Identity letter from your educational institution. This letter must be typed or printed on the original letterhead of the educational institution you have attended in the past. In addition to meeting all of the ID document requirements, it must include your date of birth and the date it is being issued. A school official's signature and the school seal must also be included, and both must overlap your photograph.

• Drivers licence renewal: If you show your expired driver's licence along with your original Department of Public Safety renewal certificate, the two documents will be approved if the names match. If you have a temporary paper licence rather than a renewal certificate, you can use it as long as it is accompanied by an appropriate supplemental ID.

What if I am unable to meet ID Requirements for the TOEFL Exam?

If you have been given political asylum, or refugee status, or are otherwise unable to fulfil the ID criteria, you must notify the ETS Office of Testing Integrity (OTI) at least 7 days before the registration. Before you register, you must first get clearance from OTI. Prepare to submit any papers needed for evaluation. If you do not inform OTI and could not take the exam as a result, or if your TOEFL scores are held or cancelled, your test fee will not be refunded.

ID Verification for TOEFL Exam

Students are advised to reach their TOEFL test centre at least 30 minutes before the exam time as they would be required to go through an ID verification process at the time of check-in which may include:

• Electronic scanning.

• Photo identification.

• Signing a confidentiality agreement.

Now, you have an idea of which general ID, primary ID, Supplemental ID, and unacceptable ID documents for the TOEFL exam. Use the information provided above and double-check the validity of all the documents which you need to carry at the TOEFL test centre.

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