Apparently one is able to have the address listing changed for their license in the US without any proof of residency.
Is there anything the government does to prevent abuse of this loophole, and what are the repercussions of this type of fraud?
Since most DL’s are issued by state governments, the proof required, loopholes, and punishments can vary quite a bit. Is there a state you’re particularly interested in?
Well for example, I’m in Virginia, and Virginia DMV requires proof of residency.
Here is the list of acceptable documents…
[ul]
[li]Payroll check stub issued by an employer within two months of the application. [/li][li]Virginia Voter Registration Card. [/li][li]U.S. Internal Revenue Service tax reporting W-2 form or 1099 form (not more than 18 months old). [/li][li]U.S. or Virginia income tax return from the previous year. [/li][li]Original monthly bank statement not more than two months old issued by a bank. [/li][li]Cancelled check (not more than two months old) with both name and address imprinted. [/li][li]Annual Social Security Statement for the current or preceding calendar year. [/li][li]Utility bill, not more than two months old, issued to applicant (examples include gas, electric, sewer, water, cable or phone bill). *(Cellular phone and pager bills are not accepted). *[/li][li]Receipt for personal property taxes or real estate taxes paid within the last year to the Commonwealth of Virginia or a Virginia locality.[/li][li]Current homeowners policy or bill. [/li][li]Current automobile or life insurance bill *(cards or policies are not accepted). *[/li][li]Certified copy of school records/transcript from a school in which applicant is currently enrolled, issued by a U.S. state, jurisdiction or territory OR a Virginia Department of Education Certificate of Enrollment form *(a report card is not acceptable). *[/li][li]Virginia driver’s license, learner’s permit or DMV photo ID card. [/li][li]Deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement or residential rental/lease agreement. [/li][li]Change of address confirmation form from the U.S. Postal Service. [/li][li]Active duty military member assigned to a unit based in Virginia may present one of the following: [/li]- Letter from commanding officer on official letterhead, with an original signature, stating that the applicant resides onboard a ship docked in Virginia or in a barracks located in Virginia;
- Orders from the U.S. military assigning the applicant to a military unit with a Virginia address;
- Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) showing Virginia as applicant’s Home of Record.
[/ul]
I believe that now in this post 9/11 world, many other states have similar requirements.
California doesn’t require proof. When I went to change my DL address two years ago, I didn’t even have to interact with anyone. I filled out a paper and a little card that I was supposed to keep in my wallet. I turned in the paper and left.
I think Maryland is similar (though it’s been much longer since I’ve gotten a change of address for Maryland).
I had to provide proof of residency when I first received my NY driver’s license. But a change of address requires no proof, and can be done online or by phone. In fact looking at Virginias’s DMV website http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/moving/movinginva.asp, it looks as if that proof is only required for an original license , not for an address change.
Heck, in NC you can do it online. Just go to the NC DMV’s site, enter your new info and the license comes to your new address in 10 days or so no questions asked. Which is good I suppose, since the physical DMV locations only have one queue - in my home state (GA) the DMV at least has two queues - a “quick” line (for address changes, renewals, etc.) and a “slow” line (for people requiring the road test).
Apparently, Nebraska MAY request one or more of the following as proof of residence:
House Payment
Electricity Bill
Gas Bill
Rent Receipt
Phone Bill
Checks with printed name and address
When I moved to Nebraska last year, I guess I must have looked all right because they didn’t request any proof of residence. I remember when I lived in New Hampshire, the DMV made a big deal about proof of residence, particularly for my wife who didn’t have her green card yet.