General Requirements for All Driver License and Identification Card Applicants
Ineligible Immigration Status
Those applicants who are legally in the United States under the following immigration status or holding invalid or expired documents are not eligible for a Delaware-issued driver license or identification card, even if they have established residency in this State:
- Those with invalid or expired immigration or passport documents.
- Those I-94 holders without a valid INS or USCIS stamp.
- Immigration status A-1. Ambassador, public minister, career diplomatic or consular officer and dependents are ineligible, because an "A" status may only be issued a driver's license from the United States State Department.
- Immigration status A-2 for other foreign government officials or employees and dependents unless they are foreign military official and/or their dependents. Foreign military members and their dependents must provide a valid passport, I-94, visa, or assignment orders to be eligible.
- Immigration status B-1. Visitor for business.
- Immigration status B-2. Visitor for pleasure (tourist.)
- Immigration status C-1. Alien in transit through the United States.
- Immigration status C-2. Alien in transit to United Nations Headquarters district. Travel limited to 25 miles radius of Columbus Circle in New York.
- Immigration status C-3. Foreign government official coming to the United Nations, dependents, attendants, servants, or other personal employees of official in transit through United States.
- Immigration status D-1. Alien crew members.
- Immigration status G-1. Resident representative of a foreign government to an international organization, plus staff and dependents.
- Immigration status WB. Visitor for business (visa waiver program.)
- Immigration status WT. Visitor for pleasure (tourist in visa waiver (program.)
- Attached unexpired temporary I-551 visa.
- Border Crossing cards
The Division must verify all non-citizen applicants legal status and authorized length of stay in the United States upon the initial issuance of a driver's license (including out-of-state license transfers) and upon license renewal therefore, non-citizens must present their immigration documents. United States citizens should provide a U.S. certified birth certificate, valid, unexpired U.S. passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship.
The expiration date on driver licenses and identification cards must not exceed the period of time non-citizens are authorized in the United States. This ensures that State-issued identification documents are not valid should non-citizens overstay their authorized visit to this country. The Division will verify the source document to ensure it is genuine and unaltered and confirm by electronic means that the immigration document is valid.
Non-citizens must provide USCIS or INS immigration documents containing either an Alien Registration Number or I-94 Number which can be verified electronically through the Department of Homeland Security's Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements System (SAVE). The applicant's legal status and authorized length of stay will be primarily determined through SAVE. The following documents can be used to determine legal status and authorized length of stay:
Acceptable Identification Document List
Any person applying for a driver’s license (DL) or identification (ID) card is required to submit one primary document and one secondary document from the following list. A primary document must contain the full name and date of birth and must be verifiable, i.e., we must be able to contact the issuing agency to determine the authenticity of the document. Each applicant must provide their social security number, if eligible, two separate proofs of Delaware residence (i.e. rent receipt or lease and electric, telephone or other utility receipts etc.) and non-US citizens must provide proof of legal presence in the United States.
NOTE: False statements, attempted fraud by displaying invalid licenses, ID Cards, or documents, or misrepresentation is perjury and may result in fines and denial of licenses and services. A driver license may be suspended any time false information is found on the signed application form.
| Primary Documents | Secondary Documents |
| Photo driver’s license. | All Primary Documents may be used as a secondary document |
| State/province/territory issued photo ID card | Driver’s license/ID card, expired more than one year |
| Certified microfilm/copy of driver’s license or ID card | Court order that does not contain the applicant’s date of birth |
| Certificate of birth (U.S. issued). Must be original or certified copy, have a raised seal and be issued by the Bureau of Vital Statistics or State Board of Health | Employer ID card |
INS documents, as follows
|
Health insurance card, i.e., Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Kaiser, HMO |
| Canadian Immigration Record and Visa or Record of Landing (IMM 1000) | IRS/State tax forms. W-2 NOT acceptable |
| Court order. Must contain full name, date of birth and court seal. Examples include: adoption document, name change document, gender document, etc. Does not include abstract of criminal or civil conviction | Marriage certificate/license |
| United States Military ID | Medical records from doctor/hospital |
| Valid passport, U.S. If foreign, appropriate INS document also is required | Military dependent ID |
| Military discharge/separation papers | |
| Gun permit | |
| Pilot’s license | |
| School record/transcript. Must be certified | |
| Social security card. Metal card is NOT acceptable | |
| Social insurance card (for Canadian residents only) | |
| Student ID Card. Must contain photo | |
| Vehicle title. Vehicle registration NOT acceptable | |
| Welfare card | |
| Prison release document |
| (One Document For) Social Security Number, If Eligible | (Two Documents For) Delaware Residency Must Include Applicant's Name and Residential Address | Name Changes |
| Social Security card or Ineligibility letter from Social Security Administration | Utility bills | Court Documents |
| Health/Social Services card | Hospital insurance card | Marriage Certificate |
| Employee’s pay check stub | Auto or Life insurance policies | |
| W-2 Form | W-2 or filed Tax Forms | |
| Tax Forms filed | Voter registration card | |
| Military Discharge Certificate (DD Form 214) | Bank account records | |
| Credit card statements | ||
| Employment records | ||
| DMV computer records | ||
| Rental agreements |
All drivers must sign a driver license application and answer the appropriate questions on that form. Those applicants who are licensed in another state must surrender their license from the other state. If eligible for a Social Security Number it must be provided.
The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), in cooperation with the Social Security Administration (SSA), will use Social Security Number On-Line Verification (SSOLV) to verify Social Security numbers by matching Delaware driver license records with the records of the SSA.
Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE)
The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can only issue a driver license or identification card to persons who are in the United States legally. Non-citizens must provide United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) immigration documents containing either an Alien Registration Number or I-94 Number which can be verified electronically through the Department of Homeland Security's Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements System (SAVE). For a listing of acceptable documents, click here. The applicant's legal status and authorized length of stay will be determined through citizenship and federal databases and through SAVE.
DMV will not issue a new driver license or identification card if the applicant's legal status and authorized length of stay cannot be verified. Non-citizens wishing to renew their Delaware driver license or identification card will provide USCIS or INS immigration documents at each renewal and request for a duplicate document.
The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), in cooperation with the Social Security Administration (SSA), will use Social Security Number On-Line Verification (SSOLV) to verify Social Security numbers by matching Delaware driver license records with the records of the SSA.
DMV will verify with the SSA that the social security number presented to DMV is, in fact, the number issued to the person with that name and date of birth. This is being done in an effort to prevent fraud and protect your identity, and to help ensure that driver’s licenses and identification cards are properly issued.
Social Security On-Line Verification (SSOLV)
What is SSOLV?
Social Security On-line Verification allows jurisdictions to compare a person’s name, date of birth and social security number against the SSA master file and informs the inquirer if the information matches.
What is the purpose of matching this information?
Matching this information helps with fraud prevention and identification security efforts aimed at preventing identity theft by preventing the issuance of a driver’s license or identification card to a person who may be using stolen or otherwise false identity documents.
How will this change my DMV experience?
Most customers will not experience any changes. The electronic verification takes seconds to complete. If there is no discrepancy found, you will be issued the driver license or identification card. However, if a discrepancy is found DMV may not issue or renew a driver license or identification card. A discrepancy could require a visit to your local SSA office and a return trip to DMV.
What can I do prior of visiting DMV?
Prior to visiting DMV compare the information printed on your license or identification card to that printed on your Social Security Card. If the information on your DMV issued document is incorrect, bring your social security card along with identity documents to verify your name and date of birth (e.g., original or certified birth certificate, US passport, or immigration documentation) to allow the DMV to correct your record. If your name has changed as a result of marriage, divorce, or court order, you will need your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If the information on your DMV issued document is correct, you will need to contact the SSA to correct the information in its files. After you change your information with the Social Security Administration, please allow 72 hours before returning to the DMV. The SSA needs this time to fully update its database.
What happens if a discrepancy is discovered?
If, during this verification process, the SSA reports to us that your name, date of birth, and/or social security number does not match with the information in our files, DMV may not issue or renew a driver license or identification card nor will DMV issue a any duplicate document. DMV will attempt to send letters to current Delaware license holders notifying them of mismatched information prior to the expiration of their license. This letter will provide information on the steps you will need to take to resolve the discrepancy prior to renewing the license.
