Obtaining a Virginia Driver's License or State ID Card

Proof of Identity
To apply for a Virginia driver's license or learner's permit you must bring to the Department of Motor Vehicles two identification documents, proof of a social security number and proof of Virginia residency. To apply for a photo identification card you must bring two identification documents and proof of Virginia residency. Proof of a social security number (SSN), or non-eligibility, is required if you are applying for a driver's license or vehicle title. Proof of a social security number is required for a photo ID card only if you want to display it on the card. All documents submitted must be originals and all documents may be subject to verification with the issuing entity prior to acceptance. The DMV may require additional documents. The DMV will not accept a document as proof of identity, residency or social security number when there is reason to believe it has been altered, fraudulently obtained or is fake, forged, counterfeit or otherwise non-genuine or illegitimate. Listed below are some acceptable documents. This list may change without prior notice. Documents submitted as primary proof of identity must show your full legal name and date of birth. Nicknames will not be accepted. You must present at least one document from the primary list of documents . The second proof of identity may come from either the primary list or the secondary list. If two of your proofs of identity are issued by the same entity, such as the same state agency, DMV may require additional proof of identity documents. Individuals under the age of 19 are required to provide only one proof of identity from the primary list.

Social Security Number

If you have not been authorized to work by the International Student Advisor, you must request a letter of non-eligibility from the International Student Advisor to take to the Social Security Administration. You will not be eligible to apply for a Virginia Drivers license without either a social security number or a letter of non-eligibility from the Social Security Administration.

Primary Documents
Virginia DMV-issued driver's license unexpired or expired for not more than one year. Virginia DMV-issued learner's/instruction permit unexpired or expired for not more than one year. If presented by an individual 19 years old or over, the learner's/instruction permit must have been issued after September 21, 2001. Virginia DMV-issued photo identification card (excluding child ID cards) issued after September 21, 2001 unexpired or expired for not more than one year. Unexpired driver's license or learner's/instruction permit (with photo), not less than 60 days old, issued by a U.S. state (other than Virginia), jurisdiction or territory (foreign country and international driver's licenses are not accepted).

Tidewater Community College, International Student Services, Revised 04/25/2003

Unexpired photo ID card, not less than 60 days old, issued by a U.S. state (other than Virginia), jurisdiction or territory (school/employee ID cards and Native American citizenship cards are not included). >>Unexpired foreign passport with an expired or unexpired visa, I-94 or I-94W or I-551 stamp. An I-94W MUST be from a country participating in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program. >>Unexpired Employment Authorization Card (form I-688A, I-688B or I-766).

More primary documents are listed on the DMV website: http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/drivers/idproof.asp

Secondary Documents
Any document marked with a double arrow (>>) on the list of primary identity documents, expired for not more than five years. . Certified copy of school records/transcript issued by a U.S. state, jurisdiction or territory or by a state-accredited private school OR a Virginia Department of Education Certificate of Enrollment form (a report card is not acceptable). Marriage license issued by a U.S. state, jurisdiction, territory or municipality. Unexpired military dependent ID card, with photo. INS form I-797 (applicable only for individuals whose names appear on the form). U.S. Department of State form IAP-66 signed prior to September 1, 2002 OR U.S. Department of State form DS-2019 (applicable only for the individuals whose names appear on the form). INS form I-20 with SEVIS bar code and INS stamp accompanied by an original letter on school letterhead verifying the student's current enrollment (applicable only for individuals whose names appear on the form).

More secondary documents are listed on the DMV website: http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/drivers/idproof.asp

Proof of Virginia Residency

In addition to the identification procedures noted above, you must also present one proof of your Virginia residency. The document presented must show your name and the address of your Virginia residence. A post office box is not an acceptable address. The documents must be original; photocopies are not accepted. Among the most common items that may be used for proof of residency are: Payroll stub issued by an employer within 2 months of the application IRS tax reporting W-2 form not more than 18 months old Original monthly bank statement not more than 2 months old Utility bill with the applicant's name and address not more than 2 months old Certified transcript from an accredited US school Residential lease agreement

More acceptable documents are listed on the DMV website.

Tidewater Community College, International Student Services, Revised 04/25/2003