New DMV identification requirements concern Mercer County resident [Bluefield Daily Telegraph, W.Va.]

Jan. 06--MONTCALM -- A Mercer County woman contacted the newspaper Thursday morning to express her concerns related to changes in the new requirements the West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles enacted on Jan. 3, that require a birth certificate, Social Security card and two proofs of West Virginia residency.

"We enacted the changes to comply with federal law," Natalie Harvey, DMV spokesperson said. "It's imperative for our national security to know who we are issuing licenses to."

Harvey pointed out that prior to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, terrorists obtained driver's licenses and were able to get enough training to fly an aircraft. "We need to insure that we know who we issue a driver's license to," she said.

The concern that the caller from Montcalm expressed wasn't about the security matter, but was rather because she did not know what her address is. "I get my mail at a post office box and they say I live on Tabernacle Hill, but I don't live on Tabernacle Hill," she said. "I don't know what my address is."

Bob Hoge, director of the Mercer County 911 Center said that anyone who does not know the physical address of their residence can call the center at 304-425-8911.

"If their physical address isn't in the system, we will go to their home and determine what it is," Hoge said. "We've had a lot of people from Tabernacle Hill call to get their addresses. We have even had people call us from the DMV. Usually, we can work with the DMV to tell them what the person's address is so they can get their license."

Harvey explained that there are several documents that can confirm a proof of residency including West Virginia utility bills not more than 60 days old, tax records with West Virginia street address, West Virginia mortgage documents, West Virginia W2 form, a state weapons permit, state motor vehicle registration card, state voter's registration card, state homestead tax exemption, proof of West Virginia public assistance, residential rental or lease agreement, W.Va., DMV affidavit of West Virginia residency and a state driver's eligibility certificate. Post Office boxes cannot be used for proof of residency.

"It's a Homeland Security issue and West Virginia is way out in front of the curve here," Hoge said.

"Some states may face a loss of federal highway funding if they're not in compliance with the laws. We're getting into compliance now."

The DMV will scan the documents into the system and return the originals to the applicant.

-- Contact Bill Archer at [email protected]

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