Documents Required for GRE Exam – What You Need for Registration & Test Day

Fulfilling the document requirements is a crucial step for appearing for the GRE exam. The GRE test is conducted by the ETS every year. The ETS has provided a detailed list of the mandatory documents required to register and appear for the test in India.

Many students forget to check the GRE͏͏ exam document rules and the unacceptable ID documents and face problems in GRE registration and on exam day. Whether you are appearing for the GRE exam in test centres or at home, a valid passport is necessary to prove your candidature. 

In this article, we have explained all the documents required for GRE exam, including the rules for Indian students, unacceptable ID documents, and what to do if your ID is not valid. Make sure to read this guide carefully so you don’t face any last-minute issues.

Documents Required for GRE Exam

Requirement	Details
Original Document	Must be the original ID. Photocopies are not allowed.
Physical ID	Must be a physical ID card. Digital IDs are not accepted (except in South Korea in some cases).
Government-Issued	ID should be issued by your national, state, or provincial government.
Name Match	Your first and last names must exactly match the name you used during GRE registration.
Photograph	Must have a recent and clear photo that can easily identify you.
Signature	ID must have your signature, and it should match your registered name.
Validity	ID should be valid and not expired. Expired IDs are not allowed.

GRE Exam Documents Required for Indian Students

If you are an Indian student planning to take the GRE, the documents you need will depend on where you are taking the test, inside India or outside.

If You Are Testing within India (Your Home Country)

Indian citizens appearing for the GRE exam in India must present one of the following acceptable ID documents.

• Passport with your full name, recent photograph, and signature

This is the only primary ID accepted for GRE test-takers in India. It should be:

• Original (not a photocopy)
• Government-issued
• Valid (not expired)
• Must match the name used during registration

If You Are Testing outside India (Other Country)

If you are an Indian citizen taking the GRE outside India, then:

• You must present a valid passport with your
  • Full name
  • Recent photograph
  • Signature

There are no exceptions to this rule. Even if local IDs are accepted for others, Indian citizens must use a passport to appear for the GRE abroad.

Unacceptable ID Documents for GRE

When appearing for the GRE exam, it's very important to carry only an acceptable ID. Carrying the wrong document can lead to denial of entry to the test center, and you may lose your test fee. Below is a list of documents that are NOT accepted as valid ID for the GRE.

Documents NOT Accepted for GRE

• Photocopied or expired documents
• ID shown on a mobile phone or any electronic device
• Any ID that doesn’t match your first and last name as used during registration
• International driver’s license
• Draft classification card
• International student ID
• Credit or debit card (of any type)
• Notary-prepared letter or document
• Birth certificate
• Social Security card
• Employee ID card
• Temporary IDs, except:
  • Temporary driver’s license renewal
  • Temporary resident card renewal
  • Temporary employment authorization card renewal
• Diplomatic, consulate, or embassy ID cards
• Any document not officially recognized by a government agency
• Aadhaar card (NOT accepted for GRE)

Recommended Reads:

GRE Exam fee in India	How to Send Official GRE Scores to Universities
Best Books for GRE Preparation	How to Prepare for Verbal in GRE
How to Score 170 in GRE Quant

Supplemental ID Documents

Sometimes, in addition to your primary ID, you may be asked to show a supplemental ID at the GRE test center This usually happens if your primary document is unclear or missing information like your photo, signature, or full name.

When Do You Need a Supplemental ID?

Candidates require a supplement ID if: 

• The test administrator has doubts about your primary ID
• Your primary ID is valid, but it does not have:
  • Your first and last name
  • A photograph
  • Your signature

If your primary ID does not have a signature, you can show two government-issued IDs with your photograph, as long as the names match exactly (excluding accents).

Accepted Supplemental ID Documents

The following are usually accepted as supplemental IDs:

• Government-issued ID card (Such as national, state, or provincial ID, even those listed under primary IDs)
• Student ID card
• A letter of identity from your educational institution, provided it:
  • Is printed or typed on the school’s official letterhead
  • Meets all the GRE ID document rules
  • Has your date of birth and the date the letter was issued
  • Includes a school official’s signature and the school seal
  • The signature and seal must overlap your photograph

Note: You cannot use a supplemental ID to fix name mismatches. Your first and last name on the primary ID must exactly match the name you used during GRE registration.

GRE Eligibility

The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) has no strict eligibility criteria set by ETS. Anyone, regardless of age, academic background, or nationality, can take the GRE as long as they meet the basic ID proof requirement. Check GRE eligibility for 2025.

Key Points:

• No age limit to take the GRE
• No minimum educational qualification required
• A valid passport is mandatory (especially for Indian students)
• Open to students from all streams – Science, Commerce, Arts, etc.
• GRE is accepted for MS, MBA, and PhD programs worldwide
• Universities may have their own eligibility rules, so always check course-specific requirements

Also Read: 

• GRE Verbal
• GRE Quantitative
• GRE AWA (Analytical Writing)

What to Do If You Can’t Meet GRE ID Requirements

If you don’t have a valid GRE ID document or cannot meet the GRE identification requirements, you still have an option. Students with refugee status, political asylum, or similar issues must follow a different process before registering for the test. Here are some alternative options if you do not meet the GRE ID requirements:

• Contact the ETS Office of Testing Integrity (OTI) at least 7 days before you register for the GRE.
• Explain your situation clearly to OTI and ask for special approval.
• Wait for confirmation and approval before completing your GRE registration.
• Be ready to submit any documents OTI may ask for (such as legal status proof or ID you have).
• If you register without approval, and you're not allowed to take the test or your GRE scores are held, your fee won’t be refunded.

Contact Details of ETS Office of Testing Integrity (OTI)

• Email: TestingIntegrity@ets.org
• Phone: +1-609-406-5430
• Toll-free (USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands): 1-800-750-6991
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM (U.S. Eastern Time)

Accommodations in GRE for Candidates with Disabilities

Below are the accommodations offered for candidates with disabilities or health-related needs who meet the ETS requirements.

• They are offered a 50%-time extension.
• They are allowed an unlimited time to furnish any additional documents.
  The time allotted for testing does not include the breaks. 
  They are given an Ergonomic keyboard, an IntelliKeys® keyboard, JAWS with or without a refreshable braille device, a touchpad, screen magnification, and a trackball in the GRE General Test.
• If necessary, they are also given a reader or scriber for assistance.
• They are also given support with spoken directions.
• If they require a Braille slate or a Perkins brailler, they will be provided too.
• Differently-abled candidates are given alternate test formats if the standard GRE͏͏ format is not understandable to them.

What to Carry on GRE Exam Day?

On GRE exam day, you must bring your valid passport or acceptable ID, the confirmation email or printout of your registration, and any other documents specified by the testing center. Ensure all documents are up-to-date and correctly filled out.

Conclusion

For the GRE exam, Indian applicants must have a valid, original passport as their primary ID for both registration and on test day. 

The name on your passport must exactly match your GRE application, and the passport should have a recent, recognizable photo. No other documents are accepted for Indian test-takers. Also, bring your GRE admission ticket (downloaded from your ETS account) to the test center.

For help with GRE prep or understanding the application process, connect with upGrad experts for step-by-step support!