News Release
June 12, 2008
08-134
Stricter requirements as a result of senate bill 1080
Radio stations: ODOT's Radio News Service has an MP3 version available for download at http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/COMM/radionews.shtml .
No matter how long it may be before your driver license or ID card expires, DMV urges Oregonians to prepare early for your next renewal – or in case your card is lost or stolen.
Starting July 1, everyone who applies for a first-time, renewal or replacement Oregon Driver License, Instruction Permit or ID Card will need to meet much stricter requirements. The new requirements come as a result of legislation passed during the February session of the Oregon Legislature.
Under Senate Bill 1080, applicants must bring documents that provide:
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the country – such as a birth certificate or U.S. passport, or foreign passport with U.S. immigration documents.
- Proof of Social Security number – such as a Social Security card, employment document or tax document.
- Proof that the person is not entitled to a Social Security number, if the applicant is not eligible for an SSN – such as immigration documents that do not include permission to work in the United States.
- Proof of full legal name – such as birth certificate, or a combination of documents that create a link proving current full legal name, such as a birth certificate and government-issued marriage certificate.
"After July 1, you'll need more than just your expiring card to renew," DMV Administrator Tom McClellan said. "In fact, most Oregonians will need at least two additional documents to renew their licenses – proof of citizenship or lawful presence and proof of Social Security number."
"Many people with name changes during their lifetime will need a third document – to provide a link between a citizenship document and the current legal name – such as a marriage certificate."
These requirements are in addition to existing ones, such as proof of Oregon address, passage of tests and payment of fees.
"The new law applies to everyone, no matter how long you've had an Oregon license or how long you've lived in the state,” McClellan said. "Some of these documents can take weeks to obtain, so DMV is urging Oregonians to get started now so that they have key documents safely in hand before their license or ID card renewal date sneaks up on them."
"Even if your expiration date is years away, it's a good idea to get your documents together sooner rather than later. Your card could be lost, destroyed or stolen at any time."
These stricter requirements will take effect barely five months after DMV began electronic verification of applicants' Social Security numbers under a governor’s executive order. Previously, Oregon DMV had verified SSNs only for commercial drivers.
Also this year, DMV is phasing in the use of facial recognition software to prevent individuals from obtaining a license or ID card under more than one name. This fraud-prevention program was directed by the Oregon Legislature.
"Oregon is experiencing a rapid and extensive tightening of license and ID issuance requirements in just six months," McClellan said. "We are working hard to help Oregonians understand the new requirements and to get prepared for their next visit to a DMV office, but we also expect that transactions will take longer and that we’ll have to turn some people away."
"That’s why we're urging people to prepare now – so that they don’t face a possible interruption in their driving privileges or ability to carry an ID card."
As of July 1, driver license and ID card fees will increase by $4.50 per card to cover the costs of new issuance systems and standards.
Senate Bill 1080 allows DMV to phase in two other major parts of the law:
- In January 2009, DMV will begin electronic verification of data printed on immigration documents through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
- And by January 2010, DMV will start issuing “limited-term” licenses and ID cards for applicants with limited stays in the United States. The limited-term fee will be lower than the eight-year fee, but the total cost for all cards will increase by $1 to fund this new type of card.
"These changes come as a result of state initiatives to reduce fraud and ID theft," McClellan said. "Oregon had been attracting people from other states with tougher issuance standards. These people falsely claimed to live in Oregon in order to obtain a license or ID card, then returned to their true state of residence."
Since passage of SB 1080 in February, DMV held seven public hearings across Oregon and gathered public input on the administrative rules required under the new law. With that input, DMV has provided final rules to the Oregon Transportation Commission, which is scheduled to approve the rules at its June 20 meeting in Enterprise.
###ODOT###
|