Charleston , Kanawha County , West Virginia

In the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks, the government decided to make getting your driver's license a bit more complicated.

In order to cut down on the chance of someone getting a license illegally, new documentation is now required. West Virginia is one of the first states to adopt the federal program.

The new secure driver's licenses and ID cards rquire proof of identity, social security number and proof of residence. Without all of them, you don't get a license.

The DMV says about 90 percent of the people stepping to the windows have the documents they need....but not everyone is coming properly prepared.

You can still get a regular WV Driver's License instead of the new federal ID. However, the requirements for both are the same...and the federal card allows for easier access at federal buildings and courthouses and airports.

The following information is from the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles website. To see examples of the new licenses you can go to:

http://www.transportation.wv.gov/dmv/Driver-Licenses/Pages/DrivingLicenseInformation.aspx


NEW Licensing Requirements
Effective January 3, 2012, you will be required to bring in the documentation outlined below.

Current unexpired Licenses and ID cards are still valid and will continue to be until their expiration. All Licenses issued after January 3, 2012 will fall under the requirements and guidelines outlined below.


You must have one (1) Proof of Identity:

U.S. Birth Certificate: An original or certified copy of a United States-issued birth certificate (U.S. Department of State and U.S. Military birth certificates ARE acceptable. Hospital birth certificates are NOT acceptable

Valid unexpired U.S. Passport

If foreign born, valid, unexpired Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Documents


You must have one (1) Proof of Social Security Number:

Original Social Security Card

Wage and Tax Statement (W-2) or payroll stub with the applicant’s employer name and employer ID number, as well as the applicant’s name, address, and Social Security Number

SSA/1099 Form (Social Security Benefit Form)

Please make sure your Social Security records reflect your full legal name, as reflected on your other documents. DMV must be able to establish a name connection between documents, therefore your full legal name must match your name on file with the Social Security Administration. Your documents will be scanned and returned to you, which will provide DMV with a historical record, and provide you with additional protection.


You must have two (2) forms of Proof of WV Residency Documents:

WV utility bills (not more than 60 days old)
Tax records with a WV street address
WV mortgage documents, WV homeowner insurance documents for a WV residence or proof of WV home ownership
WV W-2 form not more than 18 months old
WV weapons permit
A Valid WV Motor Vehicles registration card
WV voter’s registration card
WV driver’s eligibility certificate (School Enrollment Form) if applicant is under age 18 with the applicant’s WV street address
WV Homestead Tax exemption
Proof of WV Public Assistance
Residential rental or lease agreement
WV DMV Affidavit of West Virginia Residency

*Be advised that Post Office Box addresses cannot be used as proof of WV Residency.


Proof of Legal Name Change (if applicable)

Any change in your legal name must be represented through one of the following proof documents:
Marriage Certificate
Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate
Court Order
Divorce Decree with Name Change

Also, you will now have an opportunity to choose a Real ID compliant driver’s license or ID card with a gold star meeting full Federal requirements for use at airports and other federal facilities.

Please take note that while these cards are applied for at all DMV locations, they arrive at the applicant's address through UPS in approx. 10 business days. A temporary License is issued at the time the application is accepted at DMV for use during the 10 day production and shipping of this card.

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