New Florida Driver’s License/ID Card Requirements for 2011

Florida enacted a new law on January 1, 2010, in order to comply with the federal Real ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005. Florida’s new law requires more positive proof of identification for anyone trying to get a license or a Florida ID card.

Lack of awareness of this law has resulted in a lot of customers at the DDL office who were turned away for lack of proper proof of identification. If you are planning to visit the DDL anytime soon, you will need to carry the required items of documentation with you if you need to:

• Apply for a new license or ID card

• Renew a license or ID card

• Change your name

• Change your address

• Replace a lost or stolen license

(If there are no changes, simple renewals can still be done online at: http://www.flhsmv.gov/html/online.html )

Primary Identification (proof of citizenship or legal presence). You need to provide ONE original or certified copy of any of the following:

• Certified United States birth certificate

• Valid United States Passport or Passport Card

• Consular Report of Birth Abroad

• Certificate of Naturalization, Form N-550 or Form N-570

• Certificate of Citizenship, Form N-560 or Form N-561

If a birth certificate is your chosen form of primary identification, then it must come from a government agency; hospital birth certificates are not accepted.

When necessary, marriage certificates, court orders, or divorce decrees must be provided to tie the name on the primary identification to the name the customer would like to place on the driver license or identification card.

Those born in Puerto Rico must present an new, updated birth certificate after September 30, 2010.

2. Proof of Social Security Number. Provide ONE original or certified copy of any of the following that proves your social security number tied to your full name.

• Social Security Card (must be an original and must be under name being applied for)

• W-2 Form

• Pay check/stub

• SSA-1099

• Any 1099 (not handwritten)

If an applicant currently does not have a social security number, one must bring a letter from the Social Security Administration indicating that the applicant was not issued one. In addition, secondary identification is required, which could be any of the following:

• A driver license from the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories or one from the 50 states

• School record starting date of birth, with the registrar’s signature

• Transcript of the birth record

• Baptism certificate, with the date of birth and place of baptism

• Family Bible record

• An insurance policy on the applicant’s name, which has been in place for at least 2 years

• United States military or military dependent identification card

• An identification card from the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories or one from the 50 states

• Florida license record or identification card record

• Selective Service Registration

• Florida Vehicle Registration Certificate (HSMV 83399, owner’s copy) or out-of-state registration certificate with name and date of birth

• Receipt copy of last Florida driver license issuance

• Immigration form I-571

• Federal form DD-214

• Marriage certificates

• Court order, which includes applicant’s legal name

• A Florida voter registration card, which was issued at least 3 months previously

• Parent consent form of minor, signed by the parent or legal guardian

• Government issued out-of-country passport, driver license or identification card

• Concealed weapons permit

Making the social security number a requirement reinforces the idea that social security is indeed, for social security.

3. Two Proofs of Residential Address. Bring TWO different documents that confirm the applicant’s residential address. It could by any TWO of the following:

• Deed, mortgage, rental/lease statement

• Florida Voter Registration Card

• Florida Vehicle Registration or Title

• Florida Boat Registration or Title

• TWO Proofs of residential address from a parent/legal guardian, along with a statement from a parent/legal guardian with whom the applicant resides with

• A utility hook up or work order dated within 60 days of application

• Automobile Payment Booklet

• Selective Service Card

• Medical/Health card with address

• Current homeowner’s insurance policy/bill

• Current automobile insurance policy/bill

• Transcript forms from current school year

• Unexpired professional license issued by government agency in the U.S.

• W-2 form or 1099 form

• Form DS2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) status

• A letter from a homeless shelter/transitional service provider/half-way house verifying that they receive mail for applicant

• Certificate of Address Form

• Utility bills

• Mail from financial institutions

• Mail from federal State, County or City government agencies

If an applicant’s current driver’s license has a P.O. Box under address, records must be updated that verify an applicant’s physical address. The address will be placed when the applicant next renews his/her license.

For more information, visit: http://www.gathergoget.com/