As West Virginia residents finish their first year adjusting to new requirements for getting their driver's licenses or identification cards, Ohio citizens will soon be learning how to meet new requirements being finalized by the state's Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
For some West Virginians, the new process developed by the Department of Motor Vehicles has been time consuming and frustrating.
"We had to almost tell our life story with the different verifications" needed to get a driver's license, said Stacy Wilson, 31, of Parkersburg, who recently helped her husband, David, get his West Virginia license renewal.
For Wilson, the slowdown at the DMV came with the need to show the family's utility receipts.
"His name wasn't on most of the utility bills because I was the one who set them up. I had to write an affidavit that he lived at our address," she said.
Shannon Nelson, 40, of Parkersburg was at the Parkersburg DMV office earlier this month getting her license renewed.
Fact Box
At a glance
"Ohio's Safe ID" driver's license and ID card:
Issuing of Ohio Safe ID cards is scheduled to begin in 2013.
Cards can be accepted by the federal government for "official" purposes like boarding commercially operated airlines and entering federal buildings.
On Dec. 1, 2014, federal agencies will no longer accept state driver's licenses or identification cards for "official" purposes for those born after Dec. 1, 1964.
Between 2013 and 2017, both Ohio's Safe ID and traditional driver's licenses and ID cards will be issued. Residents choosing not to purchase a Safe ID on their renewal date will be issued a traditional driver's license or identification card. All new issuances will be required to purchase an Ohio's Safe ID.
On Dec. 1, 2017, traditional driver's licenses and state ID cards will no longer be available.
Source: Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Nelson wisely decided to phone the DMV office ahead of time "to make sure I didn't have to make several trips," she said.
She found she had most of the necessary paperwork, but still had to go to the Wood County Courthouse to get a copy of her marriage certificate.
Despite the extra hassle, Nelson sees the need for tougher identification requirements.
"It's actually a good thing for identity theft" and for national security, she said.
The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 are what spurred the U.S. government to mandate these changes to states.
"The 9/11 Commission recommended that the U.S. improve its system for issuing secure identification documents," said Lindsey Bohrer, Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles public information officer.
West Virginia's federally-mandated "Real ID" program began Jan. 1, 2012.
Ohio's new "Ohio's Safe ID" driver's licenses and state identification cards will be issued beginning in 2013.
Both programs are compliant with the federal Real ID Act of 2005, and can be accepted by the federal government for official purposes.
According to Federal Homeland Security, these purposes include boarding commercially operated airlines and entering federal buildings like Social Security offices and federal court buildings.
Under the DMV's new licensing requirements West Virginians must provide the following items: one proof of identity; one proof of Social Security number; proof of legal name change if your name has ever changed; and two proofs of West Virginia residency.
"I do think it's hard for some folks to get all the needed documents," said Natalie Harvey, DMV public information director.
The documentation related to name changes predominantly affects women.
Gaye Perovich, 49, who recently relocated from West Virginia to Reno, knows that experience well.
"I had to go all the way to Steubenville to get my marriage license," she said.
Anyone with a name change must submit the required documentation for a West Virginia driver license or identification card, which can include a certified marriage certificate, certified divorce decree or amended birth certificate, said Harvey.
As of Dec. 1, 2014, federal agencies will no longer accept state driver licenses or ID cards for official purposes from those born after Dec. 1, 1964.
Between 2013 and 2017, both Ohio's Safe ID and traditional driver's licenses and ID cards will be issued. Residents choosing not to purchase a Safe ID on their renewal date will be issued a traditional driver's license or identification card. All new issuances will be required to purchase an Ohio's Safe ID.
On Dec. 1, 2017, traditional driver's licenses and state ID cards will no longer be available.
In order to obtain any Ohio temporary instruction permit card, driver's license, commercial driver license, state of Ohio identification (ID) card, motorcycle or moped license, the customer must present documents to prove all of the following five elements: legal first name, middle name, middle initial, and current last name; date of birth; Social Security Number (SSN), if ever assigned; U.S. citizenship or U.S. legal presence; and resident street address in Ohio.
Primary documents include a birth certificate, valid passport and military identification. Secondary documents include a credit card, employer ID card and health insurance card. An insurance policy, bank statement or recent income tax return are examples of residency documents.
For Ohio BMV information, go to ohio.bmv.gov or phone (614) 752-7600.
For West Virginia DMV information, log on to dmv.wv.gov or phone DMV's call center at (800) 642-9066.
