May 6, 2008 — People who go to the the Bureau of Motor vehicles for driver's licenses will need to bring government-issued picture identification, according to a news release from the bureau.
The foremost reasons for the change are compliance with federal guidelines under the REAL ID initiative and stopping identity fraud, explained Myrna George, the bureau's assistant director. (For more information about REAL ID requirements, click here or here.)
"In the past, people could just bring in their birth certificate and a Social Security card," George said.
Now they must show a government-issued photo ID.
"We are trying to minimize identity theft — trying to make sure that we have in front of us the person that is represented with those documents," George said.
While minimizing fraud and identity theft are important, part of the reason for the change is implementation of the REAL ID Act of 2005 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other departments.
"There is just too much fraud," George said. "We are doing everything we can to stop that."
The bureau wants to make sure the public is aware of the change so they come to the bureau prepared with the correct documents. This will streamline the process for getting driver's licenses and other documents, George said.
Driver's license transactions include license conversion and getting an initial, duplicate or renewal license.
The bureau lists the following documents that are required to process any driver's license transaction:
— Unexpired U.S. passport or certified birth certificate with a government-issued picture identification (such as voter's registration card and/or military identification);
— Permanent resident card (along with a Social Security card);
— Unexpired employment-authorization document (along with a Social Security card);
— Foreign passport with U.S. visa affixed (accompanied by an approved I-94 document that includes the applicant's most recent admittance to the United States);
— Certificate of naturalization (along with a government picture identification and a Social Security card); or
— Certificate of citizenship (Department of Homeland Security-issued form N-560 or N-561).
"Although it is just a slight change, we are letting the public know what they need prior to coming in," George said.
For more information, contact the Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 340-774-4268.
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