The 9-11 Commission, which was formed following terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001, issued several recommendations and requirements that were aimed at improving our nation's security. One powerful and challenging requirement was the development of federal identification standards for states to follow when issuing driver licenses and identification cards. These identification standards are intended to combat terrorism, identity theft, and other crimes by strengthening the integrity and security of state-issued identification documents.

• Certain information and security features that must be incorporated into each card
• Source documentation must be provided for proof of identity, lawful status in the U.S., date of birth, social security number, and primary residence address (compliant DL/ID acceptable documentation list)
• Source documentation provided by an applicant must be verified
• Security and privacy of personal information collected when applying for a driver license or identification card must remain a top priority

What is the Delaware DMV doing?

Delaware DMV's processes comply with federal identification standards. We:

Have Reversed our customer flow to allow for the driver license or identification card photo to be taken right at the beginning of the issuance process.

Have updated the look and security of our driver licenses and identification cards to make them extremely difficult to replicate.

Are comparing all driver license and identification card photos to our facial recognition database to ensure customers standing in front of us are who they say they are.

Are producing and issuing our driver licenses and identification cards from a highly secure card production room.

Our process gives the Delaware DMV the ability to offer our customers federally compliant driver licenses and identification cards, and our customer flow is streamlined due to a reduction in the number of lines customers have to wait in.

A big change for Delaware residents is the one-time revalidation of all source documentation used for obtaining a driver license or identification card. For existing driver license or identification card holders, you will be presenting original source documents at the time of renewal like you did the first time you obtained your driver license or identification card. Again, this is a one-time revalidation; the only time the DMV will need to see your source documents again is if you decide to change any of the information on your driver license or identification card, such as a name change, or if your immigration documents expire. All new applicants will already be required to show this documentation, so for them it will be business as usual. Below you will find a complete list of acceptable source documentation.

Some existing customers may not want or be able to bring these documents. If you are unable to produce these documents, you may obtain a non-compliant driver license or identification card. A compliant driver license or identification card is distinguishable by the gold star in the upper right corner, and a non-compliant card is distinguishable by the phrase "Not for Federal Identification" printed in the upper margin.

DMV has made these process changes to comply with federal identification standards. By complying with these standards, in addition to driving authority and identification, you will be able to use your driver license or identification card for domestic flights, entering federal facilities, and other official federal purposes. Without obtaining a federally compliant driver license or identification card you will be required to obtain a U.S. passport to do these things and obtaining a passport would be more time consuming and expensive for you.

Important Note: Delaware DMV has been offering federally compliant driver licenses and identification cards since July 1, 2010. If you renewed your driver license or identification card before that date, it will be valid for official federal purposes until December 1, 2014. There is no need to visit a DMV office before your normal renewal date to get a compliant card.
A Fresh, Secure New Look



What Documentation Do I Need to Get My Compliant Driver License?

The source documents required to prove identity, lawful status, date of birth, and social security number for a compliant driver license or identification card are documents the DMV already requires. In order to obtain a federally compliant driver license or identification card, first time Delaware applicants and existing Delaware applicants should expect to provide original source documents as proof of identity and legal presence in the United States, social security number, and Delaware residence. For existing driver license or identification card holders you will be presenting original source documents at the time of renewal like you did the first time you obtained your driver license or identification card. This one-time revalidation of your source documents will enable the DMV to ensure your identity. By planning ahead and coming prepared to the Division of Motor Vehicles, your compliant driver license or identification card request will be handled more efficiently

Basic Checklist

Review the list below to find out what documentation you'll need to COLLECT and BRING with you so you can SECURE your new driver license or identification card. Please note that all documents presented MUST be original or certified copies. Photocopies and non-certified documents will NOT be accepted.

Examples of acceptable source documentation:

Please provide ONE of the following proof of identity/legal presence documents:
(This document must contain proof of full legal name, date of birth, and citizenship/legal presence in the United States to be eligible to obtain a federally compliant identification document.)
Certificate of birth (U.S. issued). Must be original or certified copy, have a raised seal and be issued by the Office of Vital Statistics or State Board of Health. Please note that wallet cards, birth registration or hospital announcements/records are not accepted. (If under 18, birth certificate must include birth parent(s) names) Consular report of birth abroad Certificate of Naturalization (N-550, N570m or N-578) Certificate of Citizenship (N-560, N-561, or N-645) Northern Marina Card (I-551) American Indian Card (I-551) U.S. Citizen Identification Card (I-179 or I-197) Valid passport, U.S. If foreign, appropriate INS document also is required Resident Alien Card (I-515, I-551, AR-3, or AR-103) Temporary Resident Identification Card (K-688) Non-Resident Alien Canadian Border Crossing Card (I-185 or I-586) Record of Arrival and Departure (in a valid Foreign Passport)(I-94 or I-94W visa waiver program) Record of Arrival and Departure w/attached photo stamped "Temporary Proof of Lawful Permanent Resident"(I-94) Processed for I-551 stamp (in a valid Foreign Passport) Permanent Resident Re-Entry Permit (I-327) Refugee Travel Document (I-571) Employment Authorization Card (I-688A, I-688B, I-766) Canadian Immigration Record and Visa or Record of Landing (IMM 1000) Federally Compliant State issued photo driver license * Federally Compliant State/Province/Territory issued photo ID card * 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 * ** State issued photo driver license * ** State/Province/Territory issued photo ID card * ** Certified microfilm/copy of driver license or ID card * ** Official letter issued by vital statistics verifying full name and date of birth * ** Certified school records or transcripts verifying full name and date of birth * **
*	Must be accompanied by a U.S. citizenship document or valid proof of legal presence in the United States.
**	Not acceptable documentation to be eligible for a federally compliant identification document; however, applicants may be eligible for a non-compliant identification document.
	Find out how to contact Vital Statistics for all U.S. States and Territories.

Please provide ONE of the following for proof of a Social Security Number:
Social Security Card Letter from SSA verifying SSN Ineligibility letter from SSA (only issued if not eligible based on legal presence status) **
**	Not acceptable documentation to be eligible for a federally compliant identification document; however, applicants may be eligible for a non-compliant identification document.

Please provide TWO of the following for proof of Delaware residency:

Utility Bills Credit Card Statement Auto or Life Insurance policies Voter Registration Cards Bank Account Records Employment Records Rental Agreements U.S. Postal Service change of address confirmation form/postmarked mail with forwarding address label Other non-personal mail postmarked within the last 60 days

Note: Mail must have been delivered by the USPS and be postmarked or received within the last 60 days; photocopies or printouts of bills will not be accepted. Non-business letters/cards will not be accepted.

Please provide ALL of the following for proof of legal name change:

If you have had several name changes, in the case of multiple marriages and divorces, you will need to provide all name change documents.

Valid marriage license / civil union certificate - Must be issued by a government entity with a raised seal. Marriage certificates signed by clergy are not accepted. Court ordered name change document Finalized divorce decree stating your legal name. (A divorce decree may be used as authority to resume using a previous name only if it contains the new name and the previous name and permits a return to the previous name.) - Information about obtaining a Delaware divorce decree can be found here

Note: You must change your name with the Social Security Administration first and wait 72 hours before appearing at the DMV. Find out how to contact Vital Statistics for all U.S. States and Territories.

Those under the following immigration statuses are not eligible to apply for a Delaware driver license or identification document:

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 an 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