ATLANTA — State Rep. Ann Purcell (R-Rincon) responded to the concerns of numerous constituents who reached out to her by working to make Georgians aware of federally-mandated requirements that forced the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) to begin requiring new documentation for obtaining and renewing driver’s licenses.

Under the new federally-mandated SAFFE DL (Secure Automated Fast Friendly Easier Driver’s License) Program that went into effect on July 1, Georgians wishing to renew their driver’s license must provide documentation proving their identity, full legal name, current residential address and Social Security number.

“Georgia has to follow the mandates of the federal government,” said Rep. Purcell.

The SAFFE DL program is mandated by the Federal Real ID Act of 2005. Under this federal law, Georgia driver’s licenses and identifications must meet upcoming federal requirements for air travel security screenings and entry into federal buildings. Congress passed the Federal Real ID Act in response to the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations. The federal act prohibits the federal government from accepting driver’s licenses/IDs issued by non-compliant states to board commercial flights or enter federal buildings.

In compliance with the Federal Real ID Act, as of July 1 anyone needing to apply for their first driver’s license or renew an expiring existing driver’s license must visit a DDS Customer Service Center in-person. As a part of the new protocol, customers must prove their identity and full legal name, Social Security number (SSN) and residential address. Once Georgia drivers have met these requirements, they will not have to repeat the process for subsequent renewals.

Customers may prove their identity and full legal name by providing either an original or certified copy of their U.S. birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport, or Certificate of Citizenship or other immigration form.

To prove their full SSN, customers must bring either their Social Security card, W-2 form with their full SSN, paycheck showing their name and full SSN, or documentation from the Social Security Administration displaying their name and full SSN.

Customers may prove their residential address by providing any two of the following: mortgage payment, deed or property tax, health insurance statement, Medicare or Medicaid statement, paycheck/paystub, letter from employer, W-2 from current or previous year, school record for the current and previous school year, income tax return for current or previous year, most recent utility bill, current rental contract/receipts for rent payment, or a recent bank statement.

For customers who are unable to obtain the mandatory documentation before their driver’s licenses or IDs are due to expire, DDS will issue an interim driver’s license/ID for 120 days to allow time to gather the necessary information.

All fees for obtaining and renewing driver’s licenses/IDs remain the same despite these new security requirements.

Existing driver’s licenses and IDs will remain valid until their expiration date. Georgians may continue to use their current Georgia driver’s licenses and IDs as an acceptable form of identification, for boarding a commercial flight, and for entering federal buildings until the driver’s license or ID expires.

The new SAFFE DL program benefits customers by providing additional security, insuring the integrity of their identification, and helping protection against identity theft.

For more information on Georgia’s changes relating to the Department of Driver Services, visit www.dds.ga.gov/SecureID.  You can contact the DDS customer contact center at (678) 413-8400, or (866) 754-3687.