By Dennis W. Hollingsworth, CFC
St. Johns County
Tax Collector
As your St. Johns County Tax Collector, I would like to make you aware of new requirements coming January 1, 2010, for Florida driver licenses and ID cards. These changes are the result of the federal Real ID Act adopted by Congress in 2005 as part of the Department of Homeland Security’s security measures and under recommendation by the 9/11 Commission.
When renewing, replacing or getting a new Florida driver license or ID card, beginning January 1, 2010, you must bring to a Florida driver license office original documents that prove your identity; Social Security number and residential address.
Here are some acceptable documents for each.
Identification (bring one)
Certified U.S. birth certificate, including territories and District of Columbia. A hospital birth certificate is not acceptable. Please contact vital statistics in teh state where you were born.
Valid U.S. Passport
Certificate of naturalization
Consular report of birth abroad
Social Security Number (bring one)
Social Security card
W-2 form
Paycheck showing number
DD-214
School record showing number
Documentation from the IRS showing number
Residential Address (bring two)
The address on a driver license or ID card can no longer be a post office box.
Deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet or rental agreement
Florida voter registration card
Florida vehicle registration and title
W-2 or 1099 form
Utility bill, hookup or work order not more than 2 months old
Current automobile or homeowner’s insurance policy or bill
Mail from financial institutions, not more than 2 months old
Medical or health card with address listed
A letter from a shelter or halfway house verifying applicant lives at that address
Educational transcripts for current school year
Statement from an accompanying parent, stepparent or guardian residing at the same address as the applicant. The parent or guardian must provide proof of residential address.
Legal Name Change (if applicable)
Original or certified copy of all marriage certificates or court orders that show name change(s). Uncertified photocopies are not valid.
The State Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has implemented the information campaign entitled, "Gather.Go.Get." as a means of relating these new changes to the general public. Additionally, our office will be printing brochures for distribution and providing inserts with all vehicle registration and driver license renewal notices. For the first time ever, we also initiated an Email campaign in the St. Johns County community in an effort to provide as many local residents as possible with direct, detailed information.
If your drive license expires within 18 months, you can renew your driver license now and avoid potentially lengthy waits that may occur in early 2010. Visit www.GatherGoGet.com to find out if you can renew your driver license online, too.
For local questions, please contact taxcollector@sjctax.us or call 209-2250.
December 22nd 2009 - 9:22AM