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INDIANAPOLIS (August 12, 2009) -- Governor Mitch
Daniels announced today that Hoosiers will have
more flexibility to obtain a federally compliant
driver's license or identification card at the
Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) beginning next
year. States are required to begin issuing
compliant cards in January 2010, and the federal
government has mandated that states complete
their compliance by the end of 2016.
"We encourage citizens to obtain a SecureID
license when it is time to renew, but we're
giving everyone the full six-year period in
order to maximize convenience. Our BMV is now
nationally-recognized for its short visit times
and friendly customer service, and we intend to
keep it that way," said Daniels.
The BMV announced last month that beginning
in January 2010, all Hoosiers who renew, amend,
or apply for a new driver's license or ID card
would be required to obtain the new, federally
compliant license or ID card.
But following customer feedback, the governor
decided to make the change optional for current
holders of an Indiana driver's license or ID
card. To obtain the new compliant card, one must
provide documents that verify identity, lawful
status, social security number and residency. Or
current holders of an Indiana driver's license
or ID card may choose to obtain a non-compliant
card without presenting the additional
documentation.
Without a compliant ID or license, boarding
aircraft or entering certain federal buildings
will be prohibited; however, the federal
government will likely not enforce those
restrictions until 2016. Customers can return to
the BMV to obtain a compliant card at any time.
There will be no option for new Indiana
license and ID customers. They will be required
to obtain a federally compliant card and provide
documentation of identity, lawful status, social
security, and residency documentation beginning
in January.
Some Hoosiers also have said they are
concerned they will not be able to produce the
documents needed for the compliant card; the
governor said that in some cases, the BMV will
accept alternate documents. For example, some
citizens were not issued a birth certificate, so
the BMV may accept other documents such as
church, hospital or school records.
Daniels said the state will implement
centralized issuance of cards beginning in 2010
to reduce fraud and identity theft. The BMV will
use its new facial recognition technology to
check photos against its entire database to stop
individuals from securing multiple driver's
licenses and will mail them to customers within
10 days.
Twenty-five other states already have adopted
the central issuance procedure or are enacting
it this year.
Secure License and ID Facts
Obtaining a secure ID or license
Hoosiers who plan to renew,
amend or apply for a new compliant driver's
license or identification card beginning in
January 2010 are required to present documents
that verify their identity, Indiana address,
Social Security numbers and legal status. These
are the most common documents that meet the
requirements:
o Identity and lawful status- birth
certificate or U.S. Passport
o Social Security - Social Security card, W-2
form, 1099 or another federal government
document that shows SSN
o Indiana residency - two forms such as bank
statement, utility bill, credit card statement
o Alternate documents will be accepted if one
cannot secure one of the above. A list of
acceptable documents may be found on the BMV Web
site at myBMV.IN.gov. For more information, log
on to myBMV.com, call 1-888-myBMV-411 or visit a
local license branch.
All new customers will be
required to obtain a federally compliant card
and will be asked to provide documentation of
identity, lawful status, social security, and
residency.
Obtaining a non-compliant license or ID
card
Current holders of Indiana
driver's licenses and ID cards who prefer not to
secure a federally-compliant license or ID card:
o May show their old card as they have done in
the past
o Will be issued a new card that includes the
language "Not for federal ID purposes."
o Will sign an affidavit that says the
cardholder has been informed and understands
that the card may limit their ability to board
airplanes and enter federal buildings at some
point in the future.
Customers may return to the
BMV to obtain a federally-compliant card at any
time.
Central Issuance
Next year, the
BMV will begin to issue driver's licenses and ID
cards through a central issuance process. Such a
process will allow the BMV to check photos
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