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.

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.